HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Filtering Solutions for Electronic Applications in Industrial Automation and Machinery Control” with the acronym “SOFIL.”
File Number: ZL-2025/00445

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2026

Overall budget:
€479.073,43

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION

Number of participants:
3

Description and objectives:

The SOFIL project addresses the electromagnetic challenges affecting the operation of industrial equipment, particularly in the areas of Signal Integrity (SI) and ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC). In an environment where electromagnetic pollution is increasing and manufacturers are increasingly concerned about errors, failures, and low field availability, ensuring the quality of electrical signals has become critical. Signals are affected by disturbances such as noise, attenuation, or crosstalk, which reduce their tolerance to electromagnetic events and compromise system reliability.

In this context, one of the key improvement areas identified is electromagnetic filtering, essential for preserving valid signals and discriminating against disturbances. However, traditional trial-and-error methods require multiple design iterations and are not always optimal in complex industrial environments.

The objective of the SOFIL project is to design and implement an advanced electromagnetic filtering methodology, applying for the first time to Fagor Automation equipment an innovative technique developed by IKERLAN. By adopting this new methodology, the project aims to reduce field failures, improve equipment availability, and optimize electromagnetic performance, enhancing reliability, signal stability, and overall system efficiency throughout its lifecycle.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMOTION, S.COOP

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• IKERLAN S.COOP.

La entrada SOFIL se publicó primero en Aotek.

GIPUZKOA QUANTUM Program, Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa

Project:

“Embedded Intelligent Assistant for CNC Diagnostics and Maintenance Using Quantum-Inspired Generative AI” with the acronym “QASISTAI.”
File Number: 2025-QUAN-000005-01

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2027

Overall budget:
€215.798

Coordinator:
FAGOR AOTEK, S. COOP

Number of participants:
2

Description and objectives:

The project proposes the development of an intelligent assistant integrated into Fagor Automation’s CNC systems, capable of providing advanced support for diagnostic and maintenance tasks. This solution is based on incorporating cognitive capabilities through language models (LLMs) and speech recognition technology (STT), specifically adapted to operate in demanding industrial environments. The project’s differentiating element is the application of Quantum-Inspired techniques developed by Multiverse Computing, which allow these models to be compressed and optimized so they can run locally on embedded CNC hardware, without an internet connection, while maintaining robust and reliable performance.

The project’s primary objective is to develop and integrate an intelligent assistance system executable at the industrial edge, capable of understanding errors, contextualizing technical information, and guiding operators intuitively through voice or text interaction. To achieve this, the project addresses the selection and adaptation of efficient models, their quantum compression, the development of an STT system resistant to industrial noise, and full integration into the CNC interface, validating its performance under real production conditions.

Overall, the project aims to create a pioneering, robust, and highly specialized industrial intelligent assistant, designed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of Fagor Automation’s CNC systems.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• MULTIVERSE

La entrada QASISTAI se publicó primero en Aotek.

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“No-Code, Modular, and Adaptable Interface Customization” with the acronym “PRISMA.”
File Number: ZL-2025/00470

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2026

Overall budget:
€456.306,35

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION

Number of participants:
2

Description and objectives:

The PRISMA project aims to transform the way numerical controls (CNC) are customized and adapted to the needs of different machines, users, and industrial environments. In a context where machine tools are evolving toward hybrid configurations and highly specific applications, the project’s primary objective is to design and develop tools that enable modular, flexible, and autonomous customization of the numerical control and its applications, facilitating adaptation to diverse user profiles and usage scenarios. To achieve this, the project proposes a framework based on a low-code/no-code philosophy, drastically reducing the technical effort required to create new functions, simplifying application development, and enabling co-creation between provider and customer.

The project also seeks to address the historical challenge of the proliferation of customized versions, reducing dependency on the provider and accelerating the introduction of new features without compromising CNC maintenance or evolution. The tools developed should allow for the incorporation of modules, extension of existing applications, and creation of new functionalities intuitively, while maintaining the ability to integrate advanced components when complexity requires it.

Overall, the initiative aims to democratize the CNC customization process, giving users the ability to build their own solutions with freedom and efficiency, increasing control flexibility, reducing development times, and enhancing the competitiveness of both Fagor Automation and its clients in an increasingly demanding and dynamic market.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMOTION, S.COOP

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.

La entrada PRISMA se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Advanced Miniaturization and Optoelectronic Technologies for Next-Generation Sensing Systems Tailored to the Needs of Smart Industry” with the acronym “MINICAP.”
File Number: ZL-2025/00315

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: July 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2027

Overall budget:
€958.950,90

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION

Number of participants:
2

Description and objectives:

The miniCAP project represents a strategic initiative by Fagor Automation to strengthen its position in very high value-added sectors, where precision and extreme motion speeds are critical factors. Its main objective is to develop a new generation of highly miniaturized sensing systems capable of delivering ultra-precise measurements at very high speeds. To achieve this, the project focuses on a disruptive redesign of the readhead, leveraging radically reduced optoelectronic components and custom-made elements that overcome the limitations of current commercial solutions. This extreme size reduction requires exploring new hardware approaches, even distributing electronics in alternative locations without compromising functionality.

Moreover, the project aims to make significant advances in signal interpolation, compensation, and correction—essential elements for ensuring nanometric repeatability despite inherent errors from machine dynamics and the system itself. This includes the development of high-density optical sensors, photodiode arrays with reduced pitch, and advanced compensation algorithms capable of enhancing resolution, reliability, and real-time motion control.

Overall, miniCAP aspires to deliver a miniaturized sensing system that is faster, more precise, and more reliable, significantly increasing the added value of Fagor Automation products and providing the industry with superior capabilities in automation, energy efficiency, and manufacturing quality.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMOTION, S.COOP

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.

La entrada MINICAP se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Research on multi-Agent AI technologies to retrieve, contextualize, and facilitate human access to expert knowledge in the industrial digital thread” with the acronym “HUMAN4IN.”
File Number: ZE-2025/00030

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: May 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2027

Overall budget:
€4.652.622,23

Coordinator:
ZAYER

Number of participants:
9

Description and objectives:

The Basque manufacturing sector is characterized by its high technological specialization, small-batch production, and the need for a high degree of customization. This reality generates a significant volume of knowledge in research, engineering, manufacturing, and services, but also makes its retention difficult due to dispersed roles, staff turnover, and generational change. With a forecast of over 400,000 job replacements in the coming decades, companies need mechanisms that ensure the systematic preservation and transfer of the critical knowledge that sustains their competitiveness.

Traditional enterprise management systems, ERP, PLM, CRM, or MES, fail to comprehensively capture, integrate, and efficiently exploit industrial knowledge. Companies require advanced solutions that unify product lifecycle information, automate processes, ensure flexibility in the face of market volatility, and comply with new sustainability and safety regulations. Faced with this shared challenge, the companies in the HUMAN4IN consortium recognize the need to investigate technologies that democratize access to industrial knowledge and reduce dependence on individual experts.

In this context, the HUMAN4IN project’s main objective is to research technologies and architectures based on multi-agent systems augmented with large AI models (LLMs, VLMs, multimodal models) to develop a framework capable of comprehensively managing the knowledge generated throughout the product lifecycle. The project aims to create intelligent pipelines that capture, annotate, and contextualize structured, unstructured, and IT/OT-derived information, integrating it with existing enterprise systems in a flexible and intuitive way.

HUMAN4IN thus aspires to provide Basque companies with advanced tools that strengthen their competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability in a highly demanding global environment.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• ZAYER S.A. (Líder)
• AJL OPHTALMIC S.A.
• AIRLAN INDUSTRIAL S.A.
• LAUNA S.A.
• VIXION CONNECTED FACTORY S.L.
• FAGOR AUTOMATION S.COOP.
• SMART PROCESS MANAGEMENT S.L.

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• TECNALIA RESEARCH
• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.

La entrada HUMAN4IN se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Cognitive AI for Programming High-Efficiency and Reliability” with the acronym “CIPHER.”
File Number: ZL-2025/00679

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2026

Overall budget:
€730.395,96

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION, S. COOP

Number of participants:
4

Description and objectives:

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) form the foundation of numerous modern critical infrastructures and increasingly rely on complex software to perform their functions. In recent years, the development of this software has become more costly and challenging due to the exponential growth of required code, the need to ensure high levels of security and reliability, and the shortage of specialized talent in Europe. Moreover, the process remains largely manual and dependent on multiple languages and models, which increases the risk of errors and slows down development cycles.

The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence opens new opportunities to transform this process, although its adoption still raises concerns due to the unreliability of current models and their high operational costs. However, recent advances in compact and scalable models—Small Language Models (SLMs)—have demonstrated greater efficiency, making their application feasible in complex CPS development tasks.

This is the context for the CIPHER project, whose main objective is to research and develop scalable AI models specifically targeted at the industrial development of CPS. The project aims to create intelligent tools and assistants capable of drastically reducing programming and specification times, increasing software accuracy, and minimizing nonconformities. Additionally, CIPHER seeks to generate new efficient SLM architectures tailored to the languages and processes specific to Fagor Automation and Developair.

At the conclusion of the project, both organizations are expected to have advanced AI-driven solutions that accelerate their processes, enhance competitiveness, and enable international commercial exploitation.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMOTION, S.COOP (Líder)
• DEVELOPAIR TECHNOLOGIES

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• MONDRAGON GOI ESKOLA POLITEKNIKOA S.COOP.

La entrada CIPHER se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Cyber Shielding of Industrial Systems: Revolution in the Design Paradigm and Continuous Transformation” with the acronym “ABEDI.”
File Number: ZE-2025/00011

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2025
End: December 31, 2027

Overall budget:
€5.131.423,74

Coordinator:
ORBIK CYBERSECURITY

Number of participants:
11

Description and objectives:

The accelerated process of digitalization and connectivity in industrial systems has exponentially increased cyber threats affecting critical infrastructure and business continuity. With global losses from cybercrime exceeding $12.8 billion in 2023 and an estimated impact of 1.5% of global GDP, the industry urgently needs new strategies that overcome the limitations of traditional cybersecurity approaches and the obsolescence of so-called legacy products. Furthermore, the entry into force of the European CRA Regulation in 2027 obliges manufacturers to ensure the cyber-secure compliance of their equipment, accelerating the need for transformation.

In this context, ABEDI emerges, with the main objective of researching and developing a new shielding paradigm for industrial systems with embedded software. The project aims to enable a proactive and continuous cybersecurity model, based on the remote execution of advanced tests in high-fidelity virtual environments capable of precisely detecting, analyzing, and managing vulnerabilities. This approach seeks to enhance the resilience of critical systems and protect industrial operations against emerging threats.

ABEDI aspires to remove existing barriers, such as the high cost of physical laboratories, the lack of automation in testing processes, or the need to transport equipment for certification. To achieve this, it explores virtualization technologies, new OTA remote update mechanisms, and intelligent orchestration systems based on AI that optimize the prioritization and deployment of remediations.

With this approach, the project will enable the definition of cyber-secure industrial systems from design, or throughout the product lifecycle, facilitate compliance with European regulations, and position the Basque industry as an international benchmark in industrial cybersecurity. Additionally, it will help companies reduce costs, minimize incident response times, and increase their competitiveness in global markets.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• ORBIK CYBERSECURITY, S.COOP (Líder)
• CAF SIGNALLING SOCIEDAD COMANDITARIA SIMPLE
• FAGOR AUTOMOTION, S.COOP
• MONDRAGON ASSEMBLY S.COOP
• ORMAZABAL PROTECTION & AUTOMATION, S.L

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• IKERLAN S. COOP.
• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• CAF I+D
• KONIKER S. COOP.
• CYBASQUE
• ORMAZABAL AIE

La entrada ABEDI se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Process Metaverse through the Research of Technologies for Part and Machining Virtualization,” with the acronym “PROVERSE.”
File Number: ZL-2024/00779

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2024
End: December 31, 2026

Overall budget:
€2.082.829,96

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION, S. COOP

Number of participants:
7

Description and objectives:

One of the most critical aspects of selling mproverse aotek metaverse machiningachine tools is conducting performance tests for potential clients. Before making a significant investment (sometimes amounting to millions of euros), clients need to ensure that the machine will deliver the expected precision, speed, reliability, and productivity. This requirement often results in sales processes stretching over months or even years, as clients carefully evaluate the machine’s performance.

Similarly, when manufacturers launch a new machine model, they do so with the goal of meeting specific performance standards derived from identified market needs. However, uncertainty remains as to whether these standards will be achieved until the machine is built and tested under real-world conditions.

In recent years, the concept of the digital twin was introduced as a potential solution to these challenges. However, its implementation has largely focused on replicating machines to predict scenarios in a generalist manner. A similar trend has emerged with the advent of the industrial metaverse, a virtual shared space where people and systems interact to support manufacturing, logistics, supply chain manPROVERSE Project | AOTEK Metaverse Machining Virtualizationagement, and other industrial operations. Despite its potential, the current industrial metaverse approach is also generalist, emphasizing system and infrastructure integration based on various algorithms and variables.

A critical aspect of manufacturing—virtualizing production processes—remains insufficiently addressed. This involves going beyond productivity, maintenance, and workflow management to focus on the physical processes occurring within the machine.PROVERSE: AOTEK research on metaverse technologies for machining virtualization. HAZITEK program funded by Basque Government and EU FEDER. Process digitalization innovation.

The PROVERSE project introduces a new concept and paradigm for manufacturing virtualization: the process metaverse. This metaverse focuses on analyzing, replicating, simulating, and predicting the physical processes that occur during complex machining operations. It takes into account all elements involved in the process, from the workpiece to auxiliary elements (fixtures, clamps, dividers, etc.) and consumables (tools, cutting fluids, etc.), as well as the mechanical components of the machine itself (headstock, spindles, control elements, etc.).

By leveraging this approach, PROVERSE aims to enhance the understanding and optimization of machining processes, providing a precise and predictive tool for manufacturers and end-users alike.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMATION S. COOP. (LÍDER)
• IBARMIA
• ONA ELECTROEROSIÓN
• AFM

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• TECNALIA
• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• INVEMA
• BASQUE CENTER FOR APPLIED MATHEMATICS (BCAM)
• MONDRAGON GOI ESKOLA POLITEKNIKOA (MGEP)

La entrada PROVERSE se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

HAZITEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Co-financed by the Basque Government and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021-2027 (FEDER).

Project:

“Magnetic Field Disturbances in Near Field” with the acronym “PEMACER.”
File Number: ZL-2024/00611

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2024
End: December 31, 2026

Overall budget:
€362.124,00

Coordinator:
FAGOR AUTOMATION, S. COOP

Number of participants:
3

Description and objectives:

The PEMACER project addresses issues related to Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) faced by equipment. Manufacturers of industrial equipment are increasingly concerned about the pollution of the radiofrequency spectrum and its resulting errors and lack of availability in field applications. EMC is a branch of electrical, electronic, and telecommunications engineering that studies the interaction between electrical or electronic equipment and its electromagnetic environment. Its goal is to eliminate, reduce, and prevent coupling effects during the design phase, following standards and regulations to ensure the reliability and safety of all systems in specific electromagnetic environments.

This project stems from analyzing issues encountered in the field, such as equipment failures, rejections, technical assistance needs, production stoppages, and other related problems. These challenges are exacerbated when standard regulatory tests defined by the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive fail to replicate certain real-world effects experienced by the equipment. While standard tests can reproduce some issues, there are cases where field problems cannot be replicated. It is through the generation of high-frequency magnetic fields in the near field that similar problems encountered in the field can be replicated in the laboratory, a feat not possible with standard testing.

The primary objective of the PEMACER project is to enhance the performance of equipment in field applications. Specifically, it aims to increase the availability and reduce the issues faced by FAGOR AUTOMATION’s equipment, systems, and applications in their operational environments.

Participants:

PARTICIPATING COMPANIES:

• FAGOR AUTOMATION S. COOP.

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• IKERLAN S. COOP.

La entrada PEMACER se publicó primero en Aotek.

Funding:

ELKARTEK Program. SPRI, Basque Government

Project:

“New Generation of Processes for Sustainable (Re)Manufacturing” with the acronym “ORLEGI.”
File Number: KK-2024/00005

Project information:

Start and end date:
Start: April 1, 2024
End: December 31, 2025

Overall budget:
€873.423,86

Coordinator:
FUNDACIÓN TEKNIKER

Number of participants:
7

Description and objectives:

The ORLEGI project aims to research new machining methods and processes that enable sustainable (re)manufacturing. To achieve this, the project proposes a comprehensive approach based on the development of new processes, simulation, monitoring, and data analysis. This approach will allow manufacturers and users of machine tools to align their processes with the principles of the circular economy. Specifically, the research will focus on the “R” strategies involving manufacturing processes: Reduce (during the production phase), Repair, and Remanufacture. The ultimate goal is for users to reduce defects and emissions while gaining the necessary technology to extend the lifespan of manufactured components.

The ORLEGI project will focus its research on machining processes for high-value-added components due to their significant importance in the Basque industry, both economically and environmentally. As demonstrated during EMO 2023 in Hannover, most leading companies in the sector are showcasing not only developments in more precise and digitized processes but also advancements in environmentally friendly systems and methods. As a key European leader, DMG MORI refers to this transformation as the “Green Transformation.”

This is not a trend but one of the greatest challenges facing the Basque industry: maintaining its competitiveness in the international market while aligning with the sustainability principles set forth by the European Green Deal. To this end, the project will address three main objectives that align with the 9R framework and the strategy for sustainable, flexible, and zero-defect production processes.

This comprehensive approach will result in new functionalities, providing a reliable, precise, and global tool for analyzing and optimizing production processes while considering all cost and environmental impact variables.

Participants:

RESEARCH CENTERS:

• FUNDACIÓN TEKNIKER (LÍDER)
• FAGOR AOTEK S. COOP.
• IDEKO
• LORTEK
• MONDRAGON UNIBERTSITATEA – MONDRAGON GOI ESKOLA POLITEKNIKOA
• TECNALIA RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
• UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAÍS VASCO/EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA UPV/EHU

La entrada ORLEGI se publicó primero en Aotek.