On November 28 and 29, 2024, Espaço Vita in Braga was the stage for the INOV.AM International Conference – Shaping Tomorrow, an important event for sharing knowledge and promoting technological advances in the field of Additive Manufacturing, bringing together specialists, researchers, academics and industry representatives. The two-day event explored the latest trends in Additive Manufacturing and shared technological advances that promise to transform various sectors.
The event started with an opening ceremony led by Pedro Dominguinhos, President of the PRR National Monitoring Committee, who underlined key points for the success of the mobilizing agendas and for the future of innovation in Portugal and Europe, highlighting the importance of transforming R&D into products, processes and services (PPS) for the market, with sales as the key indicator for putting Portugal on the Additive Manufacturing map.
Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to hear inspiring talks from renowned international speakers: Jose Greses, sales leader at GE Aerospace Company, who presented Colibrium Additive’s perspective on the industrialization of Additive Manufacturing, presenting the latest developments in aerospace parts certification, productivity and fusion strategies. Paulo Bartolo, Executive Director of the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, addressed the topic of Additive Manufacturing from Design to Process Digitalization. Ian Gibson, Professor of Design Engineering at the University of Twente, lectured on the Multiverse of Additive Manufacturing.
In addition to the plenary lectures, the conference highlighted the presentation of scientific research, both in poster format and on stage presentation, focusing on the themes of Hybrid Molds, Hybrid and Additive Manufacturing Systems, Digital Tools for Additive Manufacturing, Materials for Additive Manufacturing and Hybrid Products.
In the exhibition area, visitors were able to see the innovative solutions developed under the INOV.AM agenda, grouped by the different PPS (Products, Processes and Services). Among the solutions presented were the Mold 5G prototype, mold sensing equipment, resin bushes and cavities and thin PVD coatings (PPS1); Additive Manufacturing prototype in plaster material extrusion, granules from developed formulations, polymers of biological origin, incorporated natural fibers, additives of natural and biological origin, commercial lens, polylactic acid (PLA) pellets, PLA test specimen, photochromic coating of biological origin, 3D orthosis, planar orthosis, planar orthosis with cushioning pad and cushioning materials (PPS2); structural support, propeller plate support, tank support and electronic support for the aerospace sector (PPS3); additive manufacturing by welding (PPS4); 3D printed fruit and vegetable cookies and the 3D printer (PPS5); prototype additive manufacturing in red clay, prototype ABS boat 20% carbon fiber, cast iron and bronze molds with the molding edges coated with nickel alloys using PTA (plasma transferred arc), TIG and laser coating (PPS6); Academia INOV. AM Academy (PPS7); Safesail Brand (PPS8).
The conference ended with awards for the best scientific papers, recognizing the merit of the best presentation and the best posters of the conference:
- “Road to the ‘perfect’ 3D-printed fruit and vegetable-based structure”, Tatiana Pereira and M. M. Gil from MARE – Polytechnic of Leiria, CEB – Center of Biological Engineering and +ATLANTIC.
- “Production of a hybrid structure for the regeneration of tissues affected by periodontal disease”, Lidia Vaculenco, S. Novais, N. Alves and J. R. Dias, from CDRSP – Research Unit and MARE – Polytechnic of Leiria.
- “Reducing defects in high-performance plastic parts with Hybrid Moulds”, Bruno Coelho, S. J. Rodrigues, N. Agostinho, E. Caneve, G. Loureiro, C. Faria, B. Machado, Á. M. Sampaio, A. J. Pontes, Institute of Polymers and Composites, DONE Lab, Erofio – Engenharia e Fabricação de Moldes S.A, Bosch Termotecnologia SA, PIEP and EAAD.
Manuel Novo, founder of Erofio – Engenharia e Fabricação de Moldes S.A., leader of the INOV.AM agenda, emphasized at the closing ceremony the fundamental role of innovation in additive manufacturing to face the challenges and build the future.
INOV.AM is already announcing the next edition of the INOV.AM International Conference – Shaping Tomorrow, scheduled for November 2025, promising to continue shaping the future of Additive Manufacturing in Portugal. This event is an essential benchmark for technological advancement and collaboration within the industry, strengthening Portugal’s position as a leader in Additive Manufacturing.
About INOV.AM International Conference: https://conference.inovam.pt/
