PROJECT R2M IS BORN, LED BY SMARTPM IN COLLABORATION WITH AFM CLUSTER, FOCUSING ON SEEKING THE BEST INTEGRATION OF AUTOMATION AND SMART ROBOTICS TECHNOLOGIES

For several years now, robotics has been considered a key area in technological progress and development. Countries and businesses with significant robot implementation are achieving high levels of competitiveness and productivity compared to their competitors. In the more developed countries, investments in robotic technologies have grown significantly and far above other sectors.

It is in this context that the project R2M is born “Flexible and reconfigurable manufacturing systems based on robot-machine collaboration”, led by SMARTPM and in which AFM CLUSTER forms part of a consortium alongside cutting-edge companies from the machine-tool sector, such as SORALUCE, JUARISTI, FAGOR ARRASATE, FAGOR AUTOMATION, ALDAKIN and VIRTUALWARE.

The R2M project is in line with the RIS3 Smart Industry strategy defined in the framework of the PCTI 2030. Within this framework, there are five key areas of application focused on the specific links in the manufacturing value chain, and project R2M is geared towards “Sustainable, flexible and flawless manufacturing processes” and “Smart, connected machines”.

The strategic goal of R2M within the key technological areas is to seek the best integration in both automation and smart robotics technologies and advanced manufacturing technologies. This project is about researching manufacturing systems based on robot-machine collaboration, in order to facilitate offering flexible and reconfigurable solutions and be able to bring value to the client by providing multi-functional, resilient manufacturing systems with possibilities of future evolution, without incurring in costly re-engineering investments.

One of the project’s remarkable points is the radical paradigm shift in the robot-human relationship. The appearance of Cobots enables tasks to be safely executed in person-robot collaborations, sharing the same space without the need for physical barriers.

Project R2M has been financed by the Basque Government through SPRI via the R&D&i support programme, Hazitek Estratégico, to improve the competitiveness of businesses during the period 2021-23.