From Composite to Metal LFAM, leveraging synergies

Caracol began working with robotics applied to thermoplastic/composite pellet extrusion several years ago. Thanks to the expertise developed in advanced robotics programming, computational design, slicing, and path planning, the company has been able to leverage these skills and apply them to a completely different process and material: DED, specifically WAAM (wire arc additive manufacturing).

The aim of the company is to investigate how this technological process and materials can be used to produce large, finished, advanced parts with metals for sectors such as aerospace, railways, and energy. 

Furthermore, together with leading research centers and players in the most advanced manufacturing sectors, the company has been working on several research projects that have allowed it to investigate certain aspects of working with Large Format Additive Manufacturing processes that can be applied to both Composite and Metal processes. 

For example, for the Integradde Project, they worked with AIMEN Centro Tecnológico, to develop a digital twin of their robotic system. Introducing this external monitoring solution allowed the company to simulate and measure at any point in the process the impact of all critical inputs (e.g., current, voltage, …) and variables (temperature, ...). Overall, it provided an easier way to anticipate potential problems along the process, detect defects early, and set a base for real-time control and monitoring that leads to quicker certification of our process and final products.