Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) – innovative product development

Discover how our unique DfAM concepts can bring your products to the forefront of technology and give you a competitive advantage.

Thanks to their fully digitalized design, parts designed for AM enter a new manufacturing paradigm where you may update your design with limited impact on your supply chain.

Since 2017, we have sought to create value with our partners and make their life easier thanks to design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) and innovative hybrid manufacturing concepts.

Prototyping and testing up to TRL 9 – from manufacturing prototypes to assembly, integration, and rigorous qualification testing, we guide projects to achieve TRL 9 readiness.

Small series production for seamless technology transfer – whether you choose to use your own manufacturing equipment, an external service provider, or CSEM facilities, we will stand by your side throughout the transition from prototype to market.

Consistent quality and team continuity – benefit from our stable team environment characterized by exceptionally low staff turnover, ensuring consistency throughout all development phases.

Equitable intellectual property (IP) policy – our fair IP policy is crafted to align with our mission of supporting industry advancements and protecting innovation.

Integrated functionalities

Electrification: Through our patented design and manufacturing concept, we offer our customers the ability to integrate complex functionalities into mechanical parts. These include built-in cabling, sensing, heating, actuation, and more, making each component smarter and more adaptable (AHEAD)

Mechanical compliance: With 35 years of ESA-recognized expertise in compliant mechanisms, we lead in developing 3D-printed compliant parts. Our patented concept of Interlocked Lattice Flexures places us at the forefront in this field and opens avenues for new flexure topologies for our customers. (PULSAR, CRRM)

Vibration damping: We have developed and patented a design and manufacturing concept of damped flexure blades (MADAM). The story continues with a project funded by the ESA: Compliant structures with integrated passive damping for innovative precision guiding systems | ESA Activities Portal.

Innovative (re)design leveraging the full advantages of additive manufacturing

Optimization of mass, volume, and mechanical performance:  we use design topology optimization for very complex use cases. This approach allows precise control over mass and volume while improving mechanical properties, as showcased in projects like MANUELA. 

Simplification of system architecture and reduction in part count: By using DfAM, we optimize system architecture to reduce part-count and hence simplify the supply chain. This is demonstrated in projects of ours such as SMARTES.

Experienced team in mechatronic systems development from TRL3 to TRL9

Precision mechanisms group: Since 1990, our team has been developing high-complexity mechatronic systems for both space and terrestrial industrial applications.

Explore our advancing instrument activity and delve into high-precision compliant mechanisms.

Skilled Engineers: Our engineers are proficient in state-of-the-art software and inspection/testing equipment, ensuring cutting-edge solutions and rigorous quality control.

• Software tools: Altair HyperWorks, MATLAB Simulink, COMSOL Multiphysics, and AMPHYON for advanced modeling and simulation.
• Inspection and testing equipment: Nikon 3D scanner and Marcel Aubert precision instruments for detailed inspections.
• Specialized testing facilities: Our capabilities include vibration testing, thermal and thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) testing, and operations within cleanrooms.
    

Independence

Strategic collaborations:  we partner with a carefully selected network of certified additive manufacturing service providers. This ensures that the designs we develop together are optimized for the best AM equipment and ready for rapid industrial production.

In-house capabilities: our own state-of-the-art additive manufacturing equipment allows us to develop and refine production recipes for your specific parts. This is particularly valuable if you plan to internalize AM production or have special material and process requirements.