From April 8 to 10, 2025, XaRFA participated in the Advanced Factories fair, held at Fira Barcelona – Gran Via, once again establishing itself as a benchmark network in the field of additive manufacturing and technology transfer in Catalonia.
With its own joint booth, XaRFA showcased 10 innovative projects developed by 9 research groups from 6 research entities across the region, highlighting the potential of Catalonia’s R&D&I ecosystem and the wide range of applications that additive manufacturing offers for strategic sectors such as health, energy, industry, and advanced manufacturing.
Projects presented at the XaRFA 2025 booth:
- Cold Spray Energy (CPT – UB): application of cold spray technology for the manufacturing of electrolyzers in the energy sector.
- DIGDED (RMEE – CIMNE): integration of Digital Twin and artificial intelligence in Direct Energy Deposition (DED) processes for large metallic parts.
- EcoRubCool (e-Plascom CCP – UPC-EEBE): elastocaloric systems based on recycled natural rubber, with high thermoelectric performance.
- Pit3D (Grup Laboratori 3D – Parc Taulí): personalized external breast prostheses for post-mastectomy cancer patients.
- DIW4Cat (CIEFMA & NEMEN – UPC-EEBE): 3D printing of industrial catalysts using advanced extrusion technologies.
- Vibroprint (CIM UPC): 3D manufacturing system using granules and powder to improve flow and stability during extrusion.
- Spinertial (Bioengineering Institute of Technology – UIC): personalized therapeutic device for cervical rehabilitation.
- PROTMIM3D (TECNOFAB – UPC-ETSEIB): development of ceramic prostheses using extrusion technologies.
- Knee anatomical model (DIOPMA – UB): creation of realistic anatomical models using techniques such as SLS and robocasting to support clinical practice.
- PowerDIW (CIM UPC & UPC): upcoming emerging spin-off offering cutting-edge 3D printing solutions using direct ink writing with high extrusion force for technical materials and complex geometries.
A fair for generating opportunities
XaRFA’s participation in Advanced Factories 2025 has been an excellent opportunity to:
- Showcase technologies developed within the network.
- Establish connections with industrial companies and other key players in the innovation ecosystem.
- Generate promotional and outreach materials for projects with high technology transfer potential in Catalonia’s additive manufacturing R&D&I network.
- Strengthen collaboration among research centers and regional entities.
- Promote synergies between projects and ease their access to the market.
This year’s participation was broader than in previous editions, both in the number of projects and in the active involvement of the participating teams. This trend reflects the strengthening of XaRFA members’ commitment to technology transfer, and the real value of attending strategic fairs that connect people, research, technology, and industry.
The network’s presence at such events helps to reinforce the positioning of its member groups, share knowledge, identify collaboration opportunities, and continue to drive the practical application of research.
XaRFA sincerely thanks all participating teams for their dedication and professionalism, and is already preparing for the next edition. We continue to move forward in bringing innovation closer to industry.
For more information about XaRFA and its initiatives, we invite you to visit the official website. For any inquiries, you can contact: info@xarfa.org
