Funding:
HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government
Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).
Project:
“Process Metaverse through the Research of Technologies for Part and Machining Virtualization,” with the acronym “PROVERSE.”
File Number: ZL-2024/00779
Project information:
Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2024
End: December 31, 2026
Overall budget:
€2.082.829,96
Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION, S. COOP
Number of participants:
7
Description and objectives:
One of the most critical aspects of selling machine tools is conducting performance tests for potential clients. Before making a significant investment (sometimes amounting to millions of euros), clients need to ensure that the machine will deliver the expected precision, speed, reliability, and productivity. This requirement often results in sales processes stretching over months or even years, as clients carefully evaluate the machine’s performance.
Similarly, when manufacturers launch a new machine model, they do so with the goal of meeting specific performance standards derived from identified market needs. However, uncertainty remains as to whether these standards will be achieved until the machine is built and tested under real-world conditions.
In recent years, the concept of the digital twin was introduced as a potential solution to these challenges. However, its implementation has largely focused on replicating machines to predict scenarios in a generalist manner. A similar trend has emerged with the advent of the industrial metaverse, a virtual shared space where people and systems interact to support manufacturing, logistics, supply chain management, and other industrial operations. Despite its potential, the current industrial metaverse approach is also generalist, emphasizing system and infrastructure integration based on various algorithms and variables.
A critical aspect of manufacturing—virtualizing production processes—remains insufficiently addressed. This involves going beyond productivity, maintenance, and workflow management to focus on the physical processes occurring within the machine.
The PROVERSE project introduces a new concept and paradigm for manufacturing virtualization: the process metaverse. This metaverse focuses on analyzing, replicating, simulating, and predicting the physical processes that occur during complex machining operations. It takes into account all elements involved in the process, from the workpiece to auxiliary elements (fixtures, clamps, dividers, etc.) and consumables (tools, cutting fluids, etc.), as well as the mechanical components of the machine itself (headstock, spindles, control elements, etc.).
By leveraging this approach, PROVERSE aims to enhance the understanding and optimization of machining processes, providing a precise and predictive tool for manufacturers and end-users alike.
Participants:
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:
- FAGOR AUTOMATION S. COOP. (LÍDER)
- IBARMIA
- ONA ELECTROEROSIÓN
- AFM
RESEARCH CENTERS:
- TECNALIA
- FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
- INVEMA