• Insights from Fieldmade on the key PBF-LB capabilities supporting the integration and validation of the DISCMAM solutions.

As DISCMAM enters the final six months of the project, the consortium is focusing on its final validation phase. On the Powder Bed Fusion Laser beam (PBF-LB) side, Fieldmade is leading the integration and validation of the DISCMAM solutions within its NOMAD®03 portable metal Additive Manufacturing system.

We spoke with Nils Knofius, Head of Digitalisation, and Tobias Rønneberg, Head of Quality at Fieldmade, to discuss the key capabilities being demonstrated, the role of secure digitalisation and what successful implementation and validation could mean for the future of on-site metal Additive Manufacturing. The objective is to demonstrate how advanced digitalisation, secure communication, in-field testing and data-driven quality assurance can support reliable on-site manufacturing operations for spare parts production.

The objective is to demonstrate how advanced digitalisation, secure communication, in-field testing and data-driven quality assurance can support reliable on-site manufacturing operations for spare parts production.

Key capabilities under validation

One of the key capabilities currently being validated is digitisation of parts using semi-automatic hardware and easy software. As explained by Nils Knofius, “If we can get this going, we will achieve higher consistency of the input data used to create design 3D files. This makes the approach more efficient (less back and forth) and increases the quality 3D models and as a consequence of the produced parts”.

Another important aspect of the validation is sending Technical Data Package (TDP) and quality data for parts securely via the cybersecure digital thread to the NOMAD®03, enabling the company to rely on reach-back functionalities. This means that not all activities surrounding on-site manufacturing need to be performed in the field, as certain engineering tasks can instead be carried out at a centralised location.

For Fieldmade, this also represents an important step towards interoperability with wider defence digital ecosystems. “This brings benefits in terms of leveraging expertise and potentially relying on a more advanced digital infrastructure. Furthermore, it lightens the load of the operators on-site”, noted Tobias Rønneberg.

Advancing digital qualification for on-site production

One of the most important innovations being validated within DISCMAM is the concept of digital qualification for on-site manufacturing. According to Fieldmade, this remains one of the main challenges for wider adoption. “If we can improve on that this is a major step ahead since it will significantly increase the part portfolio that can be produced on-site with confidence”, added Tobias Rønneberg.

Traditional quality assurance methods often rely on sending parts to specialised labs or testing centres, which defeats the purpose of on-site manufacturing. Alternatively, visual inspections performed by equipment operators can only identify surface-level defects and remain highly dependent on individual judgement.

To improve the current situation, DISCMAM is exploring the use of robust and easily transportable equipment for in-field testing and in-process sensors capable of capturing sufficient quality-related data directly during production.

The objective is to provide greater confidence in manufactured components while reducing dependence on traditional testing procedures.

As Nils Knofius explains:

“For Fieldmade the key is of course that we are ready to easily integrate with the digital military platforms and infrastructure. Normally this is a cumbersome process for SMEs. By now having the possibility to test our system with a compliant digital communication pathway makes us future proof and interoperable with the wider defence ecosystem”.

What would make this validation a real step forward?

The final validation phase will focus on demonstrating how these capabilities perform outside controlled factory environments and in the entire workflow.

A key objective for the DISCMAM partner will be benchmarking digital qualification methods against traditional laboratory testing approaches. “Based on first results we are quite confident that we will be able to show that we are close to laboratory testing insights (of course a fully equipped lab will always have some sort of edge)”, highlighted Tobias Rønneberg.

This would represent a significant step forward, as it would make the production of critical components in the field becomes a realistic option. It would also provide a viable pathway for large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to make part of their portfolios available for deployed production of their spare parts.

Ultimately, this would contribute to increased resilience, improved system uptime and greater operational readiness for allied forces, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in modern defence logistics.

Want to know more about Filedmade’s role in the project?

Check out the article published on our website and discover their contribution!

• Both EDF-funded projects combine complementary strengths to deliver more resilient and decentralised defence solutions, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains.
• Shared partners Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and CenSec strengthen collaboration by enabling knowledge exchange and closer alignment across activities in both projects.

Europe is increasingly focusing on strengthening its capacity to operate in complex and demanding environments, where rapid response, secure supply chains and technological independence are essential. In this context, the European Defence Fund (EDF) plays a key role in supporting and funding collaborative projects that drive innovation and reinforce Europe’s industrial and technological base.

Against this backdrop, the DISCMAM (EDF 2022) and INNOSWAMP (EDF 2024) projects offer a clear example of how complementary initiatives can create added value when their approaches are aligned. By bringing together expertise in additive manufacturing, advanced materials and digitalisation, both projects highlight the importance of collaboration in maximising the impact of European-funded research.

From centralised systems to on-site capabilities

Although their application areas differ, both research projects are aligned in a common objective: bringing critical capabilities closer to the point of need. This shift towards more decentralised and flexible solutions reduces dependence on traditional supply chains while improving responsiveness in challenging scenarios.

DISCMAM focuses on enabling on-site production and repair of metal components through additive manufacturing routes and digitalisation solutions, supported by a secure digital thread that allows remote assistance and data exchange. INNOSWAMP, in parallel, is developing a new generation of water pre-filtration systems based on advanced materials, designed to improve efficiency, reduce energy consumption and adapt to varying operational conditions.

Both initiatives reflect the EDF’s ambition to foster advanced, collaborative technologies that strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy. Their shared use of additive manufacturing, innovative materials and digital solutions contributes to more efficient, adaptable and resilient systems capable of operating in remote or resource-constrained environments.

Unlocking synergies through innovation

The synergies between DISCMAM and INNOSWAMP become particularly evident at the intersection of digitalisation, materials innovation and manufacturing processes. The secure digital infrastructure developed in DISCMAM enables traceability, data-driven optimisation and remote support, opening possibilities that can extend beyond its initial scope.

At the same time, INNOSWAMP’s work on functionalised materials introduces new opportunities for integration into future deployable manufacturing solutions. Together, these developments point towards more versatile systems capable of addressing multiple operational needs in a coordinated way, while minimizing energy consumption and waste.

Towards a more resilient and sustainable Europe

Beyond their technological contributions, both projects support broader European priorities. By enabling localised production and reducing reliance on external supply chains, they reinforce technological independence and resilience. Their approaches also contribute to sustainability, promoting more efficient use of resources, whether through repair and on-demand manufacturing or improved water treatment processes.

This collaboration is further strengthened by the participation of common partners such as the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) and CenSec – Center for Defence, Space & Security, both based in Denmark. Their involvement facilitates knowledge exchange and alignment between the two initiatives, enhancing their overall impact within the European innovation ecosystem.

The connection between DISCMAM and INNOSWAMP underlines the value of building links between projects funded under the same European framework. By combining expertise across different domains, these initiatives contribute to a more integrated, efficient and forward-looking technological base in Europe.

Follow the joint journey of DISCMAM and INNOSWAMP towards smarter and more resilient technologies!

• The work delivered, led by ADAXIS, brings together digital capture, process optimisation and data-driven quality assurance, paving the way for full system integration, digital twin and validation within DISCMAM.

Quality assurance in portable additive manufacturing remains a key challenge for on-site production environments. Addressing this challenge, the DISCMAM project has successfully completed the milestone “Optimised manufacturing strategies to ensure quality in portable Additive Manufacturing systems”, marking an important step towards reliable, high-quality digital manufacturing solutions.

This achievement concludes the project work line dedicated to the development of digital tools for on-site process optimisation. Led by ADAXIS, the work has been carried out by a multidisciplinary team with strong roots in European research and extensive experience in manufacturing innovation within the defence sector, contributing decisively to DISCMAM’s steady and consistent progress.

Core technical developments enabling on-site manufacturing

The achievement of this milestone has been made possible through a series of coordinated technical actions, developed with the active involvement of all consortium partners at different stages of the process.

The work began with the definition of methodologies for 3D scanning, view planning and geometry recognition algorithms. Dedicated workflows were established to support 3D scanning prior to manufacturing or repair operations, laying the foundation for subsequent activities within DISCMAM. In this phase, three different 3D scanning solutions were identified and tested across two predefined operational scenarios.

Building on this foundation, a comprehensive methodology was demonstrated for integrating 3D scanning and DED-LB deposition strategies into a CAM software platform, using AdaOne as the central and unified environment. This approach enabled the full virtualisation of the robotic cell for both DED additive manufacturing and 3D scanning operations, ensuring accurate kinematic representation and alignment with the physical setup. 3D scanning played a key role in virtualising damaged components, recognising missing geometry—such as a damaged lug—and supporting repair using the DED-LB wire process.

In parallel, the project addressed the optimisation of laser scanning strategies to ensure quality in deployable PBF-LB systems. This work led to significant advancements for on-site Powder Bed Fusion – Laser Beam manufacturing, including reduced post-processing requirements, adaptable quality levels, increased production speed and enhanced process robustness. Together, these results demonstrate a flexible and efficient approach to the production of temporary spare parts tailored to defence-related operational needs.

Quality assurance and predictive models for on-site operations

Further work focused on the definition of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) methodologies for portable PBF-LB machines, as well as for LORTEK’s repair solution based on Directed Energy Deposition – Laser Beam (DED-LB), addressing maintenance scenarios relevant to defence applications.

To conclude the activities associated with this work package, DISCMAM developed a rapid-response, system-level predictive model targeting key quality metrics for both PBF-LB and DED-LB technologies. The resulting digital twin directly links in-process monitoring to critical quality indicators such as porosity, dimensional accuracy and surface texture, providing traceable, data-driven evidence of quality for on-site manufacturing and repair operations.

As DISCMAM enters a pivotal phase of the project, almost all committed milestones have now been achieved. This steady progress paves the way for the final stage, focused on the full integration of the developed solutions and on the validation of the complete DISCMAM platform.

• An interview with Dr. Marta Muñiz, researcher and technical project management support for DISCMAM Project.

As the DISCMAM project enters its final year, it continues to advance towards a new approach to improve maintenance and logistics in defence environments. The initiative focuses on developing an innovative business model for remote assisted on-site operations for spare parts manufacturing and repairs, aiming to minimise downtime and enhance the availability of equipment, vehicles, and other essential assets.

During its implementation, DISCMAM has already delivered several key results while addressing relevant technical and operational challenges. These achievements have been made possible through effective coordination and close technical cooperation across the consortium. Led by LORTEK, the partnership brings together Fieldmade, Accenture, Optimus3D, ADAXIS, Euler, Danish Technological Institute (DTI), Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), CenSec, and Zabala Innovation, combining industrial know-how and research capabilities to ensure practical and scalable solutions.

To take a closer look at the results achieved to date and the priorities ahead for 2026, we spoke with Dr. Marta Muñiz, researcher and technical project management support for DISCMAM at LORTEK, where she is part of the metal Additive Manufacturing technologies Research Group.

DISCMAM has reached several milestones during 2025. Could you walk us through the most significant achievements and how the process has evolved?

DISCMAM team has made great efforts and progress throughout the 2025 year. Some of the most significant achievements are: (i) The investigation of  dissimilar types of payment schemes and models that countries should implement to secure access to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) when metal AM technologies are used, (ii) The integration of developments into a Cybersecure Digital Pathway, (iii) The definition of a manufacturing and repairs workflows, (iv) The development of 3D scanning digitalisation technologies applicable to both on-site manufacturing and repair scenarios between others, and (v) The development of a fast response predictive model for monitoring key process parameters for both metal AM technologies addressed in DISCMAM project (PBF-LB and DED-LB).

How would you evaluate the project’s progress so far compared to the initial expectations or roadmap?

The DISCMAM project is progressing smoothly and reaching the milestones defined. Everything is on track with the planned schedule, and we are not expecting any significant delays at this stage.

What have been the main challenges that have been encountered during 2025?

Some of the main challenges that we have encountered during 2025 are related to: (i) The semi-automatic 3D scanning process workflow for broken or damaged parts. Getting reliable, precise and consistent scans for on-site scenarios, all in a semi-automatic manner, turned out to be more complicated than expected. This required a closer coordination between the technical teams within DISCMAM, (ii) The creation of a digital twin model for both metal AM technologies, has also being a complex task, this can be attributed to the fact that there was a high complexity in replicating the metal AM manufacturing process and complexities in a virtual environment.

How have the project partners collaborated to overcome these challenges?

These challenges were successfully addressed thanks to the strong and effective collaboration between the different partners involved in the DISCMAM team working on both metal AM processes and solutions. Thanks to the combination of an open communication together with the complementary expertise and background of the partners, we could work towards achieving practical solutions.

What are the key next steps the consortium will focus on in 2026 marking the end of the project?

The next steps are going to be focused on integrating all the developments carried out into two final technical solutions, one for repairs and one for manufacturing of spare parts using deployable metal AM equipment.

Lortek drives DISCMAM: Enhancing Digitalization and Metal Additive Manufacturing

Learn more about their role in the project

• The last Consortium Meeting provided an opportunity to assess progress and spotlight major milestones, including advances in on-site metal additive manufacturing that enhance PBF-LB quality and DED-LB repair precision through virtualisation and refined path planning.
• With the project set to conclude in November 2026, DISCMAM enters a pivotal stage where all technological developments will be integrated into a unified, tested and validated solution.

The city of Aarhus in Denmark provided an inspiring autumn setting for the latest DISCMAM Consortium Meeting, which brought together project partners to review progress made over the past six months. The event was hosted by the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), offering participants the opportunity to visit its advanced facilities dedicated to 3D printing technologies.

The meeting focused on tracking ongoing actions and defining the next strategic steps as the project approaches its final year, leading up to completion in November 2026. This upcoming phase will be decisive for the full integration and validation of the developed DISCMAM solutions, marking a key milestone in the project’s roadmap toward demonstrating secure, on-site repair and manufacturing capabilities within defence environments.

Technical progress highlights

The DISCMAM project continues to progress smoothly, with almost six work packages completed and all efforts now focused on successfully achieving the objectives defined for the second reporting period, which began in June 2025.

Over the past six months, the consortium has achieved four key technical accomplishments that mark significant progress in the development of the DISCMAM solution:

• Cybersecure Digital Pathway Pilot – Led by Accenture, this achievement focused on the development of a cybersecure digital framework for file and process data sharing. The solution ensures compliance with EU military platform requirements and enable remote assistance and secure files transfer securing last meter connection with AM machines.
• Monitoring Systems and Manufacturing Workflow Definition – Led by project coordinator LORTEK, this achievement advanced the development of process monitoring systems and established a defined manufacturing workflow. The result delivers an updated strategy for on-site operations, aimed at reducing system downtime while ensuring part quality and functionality for both repaired and newly manufactured components.
• PBF-LB improved scanning strategies for optimum manufacturing quality – Led by DTI. This advancement will minimize post-processing requirements, accelerate production, and improve the robustness of the PBF-LB metal additive manufacturing process and part quality. In conjunction with process monitoring systems and process data analysis paves the way for future digital part qualification without the need for additional on-site testing.
• Virtualization of the DED-LB wire LORTEK cell, including path planning and deposition strategies for repairing a selected use case – Led by ADAXIS. The completion of this task, allows to enhance the efficiency, precision and reliability of the metal AM repair process, helping to identify potential issues and optimize path planning strategies.

Building on these achievements, the project coordination team noted:

“The DISCMAM project is moving forward smoothly, and the current progress aligns with the established timeline goals. The coming months will be critical for the project progress, as all the developments will be consolidated into a final integrated solution”.

Strong collaboration and key events ahead for DISCMAM

The gathering covered a broad range of topics, from management and dissemination updates to technical developments, with a particular focus on the progress of the digital solution for on-site process optimisation and the status of the integration between the digital and physical components developed so far. These discussions aimed to assess the feasibility of the combined solution and define the next steps towards its validation in real operational environments.

Participants had the opportunity to visit and tour the Center for Industrial 3D Printing at DTI — one of Denmark’s few facilities equipped with industrial 3D printers for both metal and plastic. The Center supports the full value chain, from concept and design to construction, optimisation, and pilot-scale production, ensuring the delivery of tailored technical solutions that align with DISCMAM’s objectives.

As the project enters a decisive year, DISCMAM will be showcased by its partners at key additive manufacturing and 3D printing events, including FORMNEXT – the industry hub for Additive Manufacturing (19–22 November 2025, Frankfurt, Germany) and the AM Village 2026 (16–20 March 2026, Albacete, Spain). The AM Village organised by EDA and Spain Air Force will represent a major milestone for the project, featuring a dedicated workshop focused on quality assurance and quality control methods in on-site metal AM for the defense sector, and a live on-site demonstration of the DISCMAM solution and its advanced capabilities in secure, on-site manufacturing of spare parts with a deployable system from our core partner Fieldmade.

Consortium partners visited the Center for Industrial 3D Printing, guided by the DTI team.

• Led by LORTEK and Accenture, the EDF-funded project has completed two major actions that reinforce its mission to deploy on-site metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies for defence applications, showing significant progress beyond the mid-point of its development.

The DISCMAM project is progressing through a key phase of its development, marked by the successful completion of two strategic milestones. The first, led by Accenture, focused on the Cybersecure Digital Pathway solution, creating a secure digital framework for files and process data sharing that meets EU military platforms requirements and enable future digital part qualification without requiring additional on-site testing. The second, led by project coordinator Lortek, advanced the development of process monitoring systems and a defined manufacturing workflow, delivering an updated strategy for on-site operations that reduces system downtime while ensuring part quality and functionality of repaired or newly manufactured components.

A cybersecure digital pathway for DISCMAM solution

The completion of the Cybersecure Digital Pathway marks a major step forward in developing the DISCMAM secure digital framework, designed for seamless integration into multiple digital infrastructure scenarios.

The work, led by the consortium partner Accenture, aimed to ensure that all the components of the digital pathway (on-premises infrastructure, network architecture and cloud integration between others) adhere to robust security standards and EU military platforms compliance.

Smarter monitoring systems and optimized workflows

Under the leadership of Lortek, the milestone “Monitoring systems developed, and manufacturing workflow defined” has also been successfully reached, accomplishing several key objectives in the process.

Ensuring the quality, consistency and traceability of metal AM processes is at the core of this accomplishment. To this end, an extensive analysis of process monitoring systems/sensors in metal AM was carried out, addressing the limitations of traditional quality assurance methods and reviewing key in-situ process monitoring technologies currently used on powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M) and directed energy deposition (DED-LB/M). To do so, common failure modes, and requirements for mobile AM in demanding environments were taken into consideration. A preliminary selection of complementary sensors was established to reliably detect critical defects under deployed conditions.

Building on this, the selected monitoring devices were integrated into AM equipment, enabling the first demonstrations of how real-time data can be captured and analysed to monitor melting or metal deposition processes. Two tailored approaches were developed for PBF-LB and DED-LB solutions, showcasing how monitoring strengthens quality assurance in different metal AM technologies.

Finally, a comprehensive maintenance workflow was defined for on-site operations, covering all stages from initial assessment and digital readiness to manufacturing, inspection, and final delivery. This workflow reinforces quality control through full documentation, rigorous real-time and post-process inspections, and secure management of digital files for complete traceability. Tested in real use cases, the approach has proven practical and effective, offering flexibility and efficiency for both repairs and the production of complex, low-volume components while ensuring high-quality, compliant outcomes.

The next steps of the project, involve the full integration of the developed solutions and systems to validate the DISCMAM solutions and approach, aiming at on-site repair and manufacturing as well as data information sharing under remote assistance through a secure digital pathway.

• ADAXIS is involved in the DISCMAM project, contributing to the “Digital solutions to accelerate on-site additive manufacturing” action, closely matching its goal of creating a seamless digital workflow for multi-axis robotic manufacturing including 3D scanning and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes.

The DISCMAM project is pioneering key innovations in metal additive manufacturing (AM) aimed at transforming defence logistics. Central to this initiative is the development of a complete, autonomous, and secure digital workflow that enables robotic repair operations even in the most challenging environmental conditions. Behind this effort is the young company ADAXIS, which integrates cutting-edge technologies within an intuitive and accessible software framework, playing a crucial role in advancing the project’s vision of deploying intelligent, field-ready manufacturing systems that enhance efficiency and resilience in defence operations.

AdaOne by ADAXIS: Software for robotic hybrid Manufacturing

ADAXIS is a robotics software company dedicated to enabling next-generation manufacturing by making industrial robotics accessible, intuitive, and scalable. The company’s mission is to empower industry stakeholders to adopt flexible and sustainable production processes through user-friendly digital tools.

Its all-in-one software, AdaOne, transforms conventional robotic arms into versatile, high-performance hybrid manufacturing units capable of additive manufacturing, subtractive machining, and inspection.

The ADAXIS team brings together a multidisciplinary group of professionals with deep roots in European research and extensive experience in manufacturing innovation in the defence sector, among others: Guénolé Bras (CTO), Emil Johansson (CPO), Sami Fadil (Application Engineer) and Romain Goffe (Lead Developer).

Commenting on the DISCMAM Project, Henri Bernard, CEO of ADAXIS, said:

“The DISCMAM project is a major leap forward in making hybrid manufacturing scalable and accessible. Contributing to the deployment of technology that enables direct, simple, and in-situ metal AM and repair is a technically fascinating challenge — it brings together part inspection thought 3D scanning, metal additive manufacturing and machining of large, complex parts in real-world conditions. This project is fully aligned with our mission at ADAXIS: simplifying advanced robotic processes through powerful, intuitive path planning software. We’re proud to be part of this dynamic and high-performing European R&D consortium”.

Advanced software suite for DED

As part of the DISCMAM project, ADAXIS leads the work package on “Digital solutions to accelerate manufacturing on site” directly aligning with its vision of an integrated, digital workflow for multi-axis robotic manufacturing. The focus of ADAXIS’s contribution lies in the development of a sophisticated software suite to enable semi-automated and fully automated tool path planning for on-site Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes. Key innovations under development in the project include:

This toolset is designed to minimize post-processing, improve process reliability, and ensure compatibility with remote assistance protocols. Expert feedback will be embedded into the decision-making logic of the software, forming the basis for a robust set of heuristics tailored for in-field robotic manufacturing.

This effort aligns seamlessly with ADAXIS’s strategic goal of offering a unified digital environment for the design, simulation, execution, and monitoring of additive, subtractive, and inspection operations—delivering one of the most comprehensive CAM solutions for multi-axis manufacturing processes available today.

Global partnership fuels ADAXIS innovation

The founding team has a strong track record in managing complex, high-impact initiatives in prior roles. ADAXIS is currently involved in Sustainable Steel Additive Manufacturing (SESAM) (Vinnova 2022-01239), a project aimed at enabling serial production of large-scale parts using wire-laser DED, with industrial partners such as Alfa Laval and Procada. This international collaboration reinforces ADAXIS’s commitment to advancing metal additive manufacturing through cooperative innovation with LORTEK, DTI and other reference research centres in projects such as DISCMAM.

• Over the course of the project, Zabala Innovation manages all communication efforts, ensuring that the project’s milestones and outcomes are effectively shared, and a strong community is built.

Shaping the future of defence logistics requires more than just innovation—it demands collaboration, shared expertise, and a strong vision. DISCMAM EDF Project is taking on this challenge, bringing together 10 leading industrial entities and research institutions to drive progress in the sector. But a project of this scale needs more than technical breakthroughs; it needs a voice. This is where Zabala Innovation plays a key role, ensuring that DISCMAM’s progress is effectively communicated and that messages are aligned to reach the right audiences.

Through strategic communication, Zabala translates complex developments into compelling narratives, enriched by diverse perspectives and experiences. Beyond sharing updates, the company is focused on building long-lasting relationships with stakeholders, fostering a strong and engaged community that will sustain the project’s impact well into the future.

By amplifying the voices behind DISCMAM, Zabala is not just reporting progress—it is shaping the conversation around the future of defence logistics.

Zabala Innovation: Supporting innovation from concept to execution

Founded in Spain in 1986, Zabala Innovation is a leading international consultancy firm specializing in securing funding for innovation, research, and development projects. The company supports a diverse range of clients—including businesses, research institutions, and public entities—in accessing grants, subsidies, and public funding from both national and European sources.

With a strong focus on strategic consulting, the company assists organizations in designing, managing, and implementing innovation projects. Their expertise covers proposal preparation, project management, consortium building, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements. The company has played a pivotal role in numerous large-scale European consortia, particularly within Horizon Europe programs and the European Defence Fund (EDF). Notably, Zabala team has led communication, dissemination, and management activities in more EDF projects such as IntSen2 and BODYGUARD.

The DISCMAM partner actively contributes to the execution of European projects, assuming critical roles in project management, results exploitation, dissemination and communication strategies, social innovation, and cascade funding management, among others.

Zabala Innovation operates with an international team of over 500 professionals across 13 offices, including locations in Madrid, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Valencia, Bordeaux, and Seville. This widespread presence allows the company to provide tailored support to clients across Europe and beyond.

Within the DISCMAM project, Ana Báscones takes the lead in communication and dissemination activities. As a skilled journalist with extensive experience in managing EU-funded projects, Ana works in close coordination with her team to ensure the project’s visibility and the effective dissemination of results.

How DISCMAM is expanding its influence in defence logistics

DISCMAM leverages Zabala Innovation’s expertise in dissemination and communication to ensure the project’s findings reach key stakeholders and create a lasting impact.

From the very beginning, the first action undertaken in terms of communication, was the development of a recognizable brand, aimed at ensuring consistency and visibility. To achieve this, the project’s website was designed as the central hub of information, serving not only consortium partners but also industrial and research stakeholders, as well as the general public. The website provides public information about the project, participation in strategic events such as AM Village and FORMNEXT and updates on how DISCMAM is advancing defence logistics through on-site additive manufacturing innovations. This information is also actively shared on LinkedIn, helping the project reach specialized media and digital publications.

• LinkedIn

Expanding the project’s impact and strengthening its positioning has also been possible through the publication of press releases in key magazines and defence media specialized in additive manufacturing.

Building Synergies: DISCMAM and ROLIAC collaboration

Fostering synergies that enhance integration within the sector is one of the core actions of the communication and dissemination strategy. In these sense, partnering with sister projects, such as ROLIAC EDF project, enables greater outreach and impact through joint written content, such as press releases and coordinated LinkedIn campaigns. Additionally, both projects have joined forces at conferences and industry events, strengthening their shared mission: advancing the European defense sector through cutting-edge innovation.

With a particular focus on Additive Manufacturing (AM), these collaborations are driving forward the transformation of the defense industry by applying advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.

As DISCMAM enters its second project phase, Zabala Innovation will continue to push boundaries, further enhancing clustering actions and focusing on the dissemination of results through scientific publications and outreach activities. Strengthening synergies will remain a priority, ensuring that the project continues to build strong, long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders.

Through these efforts, DISCMAM aims to leave a lasting mark and shape the future of defense logistics, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in innovation-driven security and manufacturing advancements.

• At end of May 2025, DISCMAM EDF Project finalised the first reporting period, covering the first 18 months of execution.
• The initial phase of the project has progressed smoothly, achieving key project advances achieving key advances made possible by the commitment of all project partners involved.

The DISCMAM Project has officially reached the halfway point of its implementation in May 2025. This achievement confirms the project’s strong progress towards its main goal: establishing a secure digital thread to support remote assistance for repair and manufacturing spare parts through metal Additive Manufacturing (3D printing technologies) in defence field operations.

To mark this important moment, two key events were held. On 27 May, the mid project Consortium Meeting took place in Bilbao, Spain, hosted by Accenture at the iconic Iberdrola Tower. The following day, 28 May, the project’s official Mid-Term Review Meeting with the attendance of the European Commission Project Officer and partners was held at the headquarters of the project coordinator, Lortek, in Ordizia, Spain.

Both meetings concluded with very positive feedback, highlighting not only the technical progress achieved so far, but also the strong collaboration between all partners involved in the different work packages concluded.

DISCMAM midterm results

The project has completed the first 18 months of implementation with consistent progress and without any deviations from the original work plan. This steady advancement reflects the strength of the project’s structure and the close collaboration among partners, setting a strong foundation for the successful delivery of its final objectives.

The developments under way are designed to revolutionize maintenance and manufacturing processes in defence field operations by establishing secure, on-site assisted Additive Manufacturing (AM) capabilities. These innovations aim to significantly reduce downtime and enhance the reliability and security of repairs and newly manufactured components in critical operational settings.

Key achievements during this first reporting period include:

• Definition of maintenance scenarios: Actual field maintenance scenarios were identified and defined. Within these scenarios, several specific use cases were selected to validate and demonstrate the DISCMAM concept in real-world conditions.
• Design of a cybersecure digital pathway: A secure digital framework was developed to ensure the files and process data sharing, qualification of the built physical part, eliminating the need for additional testing on site.
• Implementation of an on-site maintenance plan: The project successfully updated and implemented a strategy for on-site operations that reduces system downtime while maintaining the quality and functionality of repaired or manufactured components.
• Integration of monitoring devices into additive manufacturing equipment to enhance process reliability and ensure the quality of final parts.

The steady progress so far was also highlighted by the project coordinators:

“The project’s moving along just like we planned. We’ve been hitting all our milestones right on schedule, and the team’s working really well together. We are confident that the final outcomes of the project will make a meaningful difference”.

Project outlook: What’s Next?

The Mid-Term Review Meeting held on 28 May marked an important milestone for the DISCMAM Project. During the meeting and with the attendance of the European Commission project officer, all partners presented the progress achieved across all Work Packages during the first reporting period. The review highlighted the strong advancements made so far and provided encouraging feedback for the next phase and upcoming challenges.

As part of the meeting agenda, participants were also offered a guided tour of LORTEK’s facilities in Ordizia, Spain. The visit included an up-close look at the metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) cells and machines, including a demo on the novel hybrid DED multi-robot cell. This provided the perfect opportunity to witness firsthand the innovative research and technological advancements being carried out within the DISCMAM framework.

With the solid progress made in the first 18 months, the project is now entering its second phase, which begins in June 2025 and will run until November 2026. In this next stage, the consortium will focus on the manufacturing and repair of the use cases defined in the first phase. Additionally, all the knowledge and developments generated so far, such as the cybersecure digital pathway, 3D scanning methodologies, and process monitoring solutions, will be integrated into a comprehensive final solution.

• Euler brings innovation to the project by leveraging AI-powered predictive analytics on their platform, enabling real-time detection during the production of additive manufacturing components.

Euler is developing a real-time process monitoring solution that addresses one of metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) most significant challenges of the DISCMAM Project: ensuring the reliability and quality of additively manufactured components in critical applications such as within the defence sector. Their real-time process monitoring platform is designed to predict and detect defects during the build process, enabling proactive intervention to reduce waste, improve efficiency, quality, and enhance scalability. 

Why process monitoring matters

Additive manufacturing holds immense potential for industries such as defence, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. However, challenges like high failure rates, inconsistent quality, and the complexity of scaling operations have slowed its broader adoption. Operating AM systems requires highly specialized expertise, making it challenging to deploy in environments with limited access to skilled personnel.

Euler’s platform offers a patent-pending predictive solution that bridges this gap, allowing operators to detect and address issues as they occur, and even to predict them in advance based on early indicators. It also allows for remote monitoring, which is essential for applications where access to skilled expertise to oversee the process is limited.

Euler brings AI-driven monitoring to the DISCMAM project

By providing cutting-edge real-time process monitoring capabilities for remote Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) systems, Euler is an important player in the project. Their platform utilizes AI-driven predictive analytics to detect and mitigate potential defects during the build process, ensuring high-quality and reliable AM components. This innovative approach supports the project’s objective to enhance the use of additive manufacturing in demanding environments.

With both cloud-based and on-premise solutions, the entity addresses critical challenges such as operational efficiency and quality assurance, making their platform adaptable to the stringent requirements of the defence industry.

The team behind Euler consists of highly skilled experts within computer vision, artificial intelligence, statistical analysis and software development. Together, their expertise ensures that Euler’s platform supports DISCMAM’s mission to advance additive manufacturing for defence.

A vision for the future of AM

Euler is committed to advancing additive manufacturing by delivering reliable, scalable, and user-friendly monitoring solutions, facilitating its widespread adoption across both critical and non-critical industrial applications. During the project, the company’s commitment will help by ensuring high-quality AM procedures without the need of skilled personnel.