SURFAB is a platform linking École Centrale de Lyon, École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Saint-Étienne (ENISE) and Manutech USD, with the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region. Its objective is to provide companies with technical and scientific resources in the fields of 3D printing and the processing and texturising of surfaces by ultrashort laser. It will support 300 businesses and train 1,000 of their employees as well as our students in these new technologies.
A major technology in advance manufacturing
3D printing, or additive manufacturing combined with laser texturing, is today considered a significant technology in advanced manufacturing. It has numerous applications, including the production of technical components for vehicles, aircraft, buildings and consumer products, among other industries.
Meeting industrial challenges
Companies can test their materials and products in this research and innovation centre which will offer them increased functionalities and the opportunity to check viability. The aim of the platform is to provide companies with support from the product design stage until the determination of the industrial process, while being backed by other technology platforms based in Lyon and Saint-Étienne.
The demonstration equipment will be located in the research and innovation facility at the Digital Campus in Charbonnières-les-Bains from January 2021. All other equipment will be available at Centrale Lyon, ENISE and Manutech USD at the Carnot campus in Saint-Étienne.
Equipment
Some equipment from the SURFAB platform:
