Ideko participates in ROBOCOMP project for flexible, zero-emissions aerospace manufacturing

Spanish research center Ideko (Elgoibar), a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), has contributed to the development of flexible, sensorized and connected robotic cells within the ROBOCOMP project. Led by the Danobat (Elgoibar) cooperative, this initiative aims to improve the dual-set objectives set by the aerospace industry — achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and improving competitiveness through reduced production costs.

“The new solutions are designed to replace traditional systems and automate critical machining operations on carbon fiber parts, such as milling, drilling and trimming, in order to boost efficiency and reduce energy consumption,” explains Ideko researcher Asier Barrios.

This technological transition responds to specific operational limitations of current machinery. While large traditional equipment usually machines parts in a horizontal position, restricting access to many components with complex geometries, ROBOCOMP’s proposal introduces the ability to work on parts placed vertically.

This feature also facilitates production scalability, enabling plants to adapt quickly to new manufacturing requirements.

Ideko says it has been essential in providing intelligence to these robotic cells. Specifically, its scientific work has focused on increasing robot precision through improvements in mechatronics and system calibration, a critical factor in meeting the strict requirements of the aerospace sector.

In addition, Ideko has equipped these cells with the intelligence required to operate autonomously. Through artificial vision systems and sensors, the robots are able to see and analyze the status of the manufacturing process as it takes place. This digitalization allows the process to be monitored in real time, instantly identifying possible errors or deviations to ensure the quality of the part.

Sustainability has also been addressed within the initiative, through the implementation of technologies that optimize the machining of composite materials to ensure more efficient use of energy and resources.

Transfer to other sectors

ROBOCOMP’s success has been supported by a solid industrial consortium covering the entire value chain. Alongside the leadership of Danobat and Ideko’s scientific knowledge, the project has benefited from the participation of Airbus, which has contributed the end user’s vision and requirements; Robotnik’s mobile robotics; and Industrial Olmar, a company dedicated to the manufacture of autoclaves and pressure equipment.

This collaboration has enabled the development of technologies that position the Basque and Spanish industrial fabric at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, with a clear drive towards other markets.

The technologies developed at ROBOCOMP will be transferable to other machining-intensive sectors, such as automotive, energy and capital goods, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises and opening up new business opportunities in the field of advanced services and smart maintenance.

The project has been funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) through the Aeronautical Technology Program (PTA), a grant framed within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the government of Spain.