DILAPRO: European software project will revolutionize 3D printing
DILAPRO is the name of a new EU project aimed at developing software that will change the way we plan, manufacture, and certify demanding 3D-printed products.
The Danish Technological Institute is the coordinator of the three-year development project, which will be carried out in collaboration with 11 Danish and European partners. The software project particularly focuses on the production of demanding components that need to be manufactured and used on location, where it is physically impossible to send parts for testing or await external certification.
- With its combination of quality control, efficiency, and sustainability, DILAPRO represents a significant step forward for 3D printing, enabling the creation of reliable products faster and with a smaller environmental footprint, says Christina Moeslund Zeuthen, project leader at the Danish Technological Institute.
Quality, environmental impact, and price
The new system will consist of two parts: DILAFACT and DILACERT. Together, they will ensure the quality and optimization of laser-based 3D printing, as well as ensure faster implementation.
DILAFACT creates a digital twin of the manufactured product, allowing monitoring of the material during production. This serves as continuous quality control. For example, if an error occurs early in the process, it is advantageous to be able to spot it immediately, stop production, and thus minimize resource waste.
- Furthermore, DILAFACT should assist in the planning process, Christina Moeslund Zeuthen explains.
The software will allow the user to adjust parameters or change manufacturing methods and predict how the changes will affect the finished product. It will also help determine the ideal balance between quality, environmental impact, and price.
- Christina Moeslund Zeuthen, Danish Technological Institute
Shorter time to market
The DILACERT software can certify the printed product – while it is being manufactured. This means that in reality, the time before the product can be put into use or on the market can be reduced by weeks or months. Certification can be done on location, which is particularly useful if there is an urgent need for a reliable solution and it is far from an external certification. For example, this could be a damaged machine part on an oil rig or during a military operation.
About DILAPRO
DILAPRO is a contraction of 'DIgital LAser PROduction'. The project is supported by Horizon Europe and runs for three years starting from January 1, 2024.
The partners in the project are: Danish Technological Institute, DTU, Welltec, Dublin City University, CRM Group, EWF, Fieldmade AS, Prima Additive, PEPITe, AM Entreprenur, and IMDEA Materials Institute.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Horizon Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
