25 February 2025
- Within the project framework, Optimus 3D is instrumental in defining supply chain requirements, application cases and challenges.
The DISCMAM project is driving a groundbreaking innovation: developing a portable and autonomous additive manufacturing system for applications that traditionally require highly controlled environments and specialized personnel. This advancement aims to enhance flexibility and efficiency in industrial production.
Among the key technical contributors is Optimus 3D, a high-tech SME specializing in cutting-edge additive manufacturing solutions. Together with other core industrial partners—Fieldmade, Adaxis, and Euler 3D—the company plays a key part in advancing the project. These organizations are deeply involved across multiple work packages, ensuring the successful implementation of this transformative solution.
Optimus 3D, a pioneering force in additive engineering
With over a decade of experience, Optimus3D has established itself as a leader in additive engineering and manufacturing. Serving more than 300 customers, the company has gained a broad market perspective and identified that aftermarket is experiencing rapid growth.
The company operates in highly regulated industries, including the aeronautics sector, where its management system is EN9100 certified, and the medical device sector, where it designs and manufactures under the ISO13485 standard.
At the helm of the Optimus3D team is Alberto Ruiz de Olano, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who brings over 25 years of experience from the industry, with deep knowledge of the standards and requirements for industrial components. He is joined by Naiara Mínguez, who applies her expertise in engineering and programming to select geometries and develop algorithms for identifying suitable candidates for additive manufacturing.
Additive Manufacturing in spare parts: Key factors and feasibility
As a supplier of spare parts across multiple sectors, including defence, Optimus 3D contributes to the DISCMAM project by providing key requirements and application cases to help define the supply chain. This work is ongoing, with the successful completion of the definition of on-site maintenance scenarios achieved within the first six months of the project, marking a significant milestone for the activities continuing in the second year.
During the development of technical actions, the company faces one of its biggest challenges: identifying which types of parts are feasible for production using additive technology. To overcome this, the company is working on the development of an advanced algorithm that will assess size, material, mechanical requirements, and production technology to determine the suitability of each component.
As the project progresses and new challenges arise, Ruiz de Olano underscores the value of AM in this context:
“Additive manufacturing enables the repair of equipment by producing small or one-off series without the need to invest in tooling and moulds”.
Adaptive dual-use technologies
Optimus 3D actively collaborates with European companies to develop cutting-edge solutions where additive manufacturing plays a key role. These initiatives range from reducing the carbon footprint to innovative applications in healthcare, driving technological progress across multiple industries.
One of the most valuable aspects of these best practices is their dual-use potential—technologies developed for one sector can be quickly adapted to others. This approach not only fosters efficiency and innovation but also uncovers new supply lines to address real-world challenges.
These technologies can be used as spin-in and spin-out between the defence and civil sectors to foster innovation and the development of dual applications. By transferring knowledge and technologies between the two sectors, generating synergies and building on existing capabilities.
The discoveries will be carefully assessed for their rapid implementation in the DISCMAM project, ensuring that proven advancements are seamlessly integrated into its development.