IN4TRANSPORT: Industry 4.0 Lab for Transport

The IN4TRANSPORT lab is a laboratory aimed at industrial manufacturing, encompassing digital and computed manufacturing, originally conceptualized by the Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA) of MIT. It is a technological platform for research and innovation, providing incentives for local entrepreneurship; a gateway to innovation, connectivity and collaboration within a broad and open network of over 1,000 Fab Labs in more than 100 countries globally. HIT has designed and implemented a modern laboratory of 85 m2., placed in the main building of HIT at CERTH premises in Thessaloniki, which, through the digital production process, intends to be used for R&D and training purposes, whereas it aims to serve as an open platform for collaborative projects in the scientific and research community as well as for private initiatives, constituting a node between manufacturers, researchers and developers along the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The laboratory deploys a series of advanced equipment, as follows:

• SLS type 3D printer
• FFF type large volume 3D printer
• 3D desktop scanner
• 3D face scanner
• Plotter
• Laser cutting/engraving machine
• 4-axis CNC milling machine with integrated 3D scanner
• PCP (Printed Circuit Board) printer
• Pick ‘n’ Place machine (for automatic placement of electronic components on PCP)
• Oven for welding electronic components

A short description of the key equipment follows below.

SLA 3D printer

The StereoLithography Apparatus, SLA, 3D printer, available at the rapid manufacturing infrastructure of CERTH/HIT, is able to produce highly dimensional accurate parts with high quality finish. SLA technology is the first technology ever used for 3D printing. The system uses a low power laser diode to cure a resin with the photopolymerization process. The 3D printer is a second-generation, low cost, desktop printer. The minimum layer thickness of the printer is 25mm, the build volume is 145×145×175 mm³, and the laser spot diameter is 140mm. The materials available for the 3D printer are a multi-color resin, engineering materials with different material properties (e.g. stiffness, strength), castable materials and biocompatible materials. The main application of the SLA printer at CERTH/HIT is the construction of brackets for the placement of sensors on vehicles, prototype product’s shells and for the development of HMI devices. The SLA 3D printer was acquired in the framework of “PROMYTHEAS” national project.

3D scanner

The 3D scanner, available at the rapid manufacturing infrastructure of CERTH/ HIT, is able to capture the geometry and texture of objects with sub-millimeter accuracy. The 3D scanner uses the technology of videogrammetry. The scanner projects known image patterns on the objects and captures their deformation, due to the shape of the object. The scanner is able to capture at a rate of 8 frames per second with an accuracy of up to 0.05 mm. The capture volume of the scanner is similar to the print volume of the SLA 3D printer. The geometric data produced from the scanner is a 3D point cloud, which requires further processing, in order to be used for engineering purposes. This type of processing can be performed from the scanner's software allowing the reverse engineering of the object at a certain degree that allows its manipulation from CAD software. The 3D scanner was acquired in the framework of “PROMYTHEAS” national project.

Fused Filament Fabrication Additive manufacturing machine

The additive manufacturing machines or 3D printers are machines that allow the fabrication of three-dimensional objects with the deposition of material in successive layers. The most widespread fabrication technology is the Fused Fillament Fabrication where the object is constructed with the heating of a plastic filament near its melting temperature and its extrusion through a guided nozzle. The new 3D printer a RAISE 3D Pro 2 Plus, is the second FFF 3D printer available at CERTH/HIT, the key advantages of which are the larger construction volume 30x30x60 cm, two-material fabrication capability and support for more materials including HIPS, PC, TPU, TPE, NYLON, PETG, ASA, PP. The 3D printer was acquired during the EU project Fenix.

CNC Roland MDX-50

Autonomous high-precision 3D CNC machine (0.01 mm) for small productions of 3D models, prototype manufacturing, final samples and test models.
Fully compatible with modern CAD / CAM software, it has an automatic tool change system and works with a variety of materials such as ABS, Acrylic, Delrin, Epoxy, MDF, Modeling Wax, Nylon, PEEK, PET, Teflon, ULTEM, etc.

Plotter

High resolution spray printer (2,400 x 1,200 dpi) and large format printer.
24-bit color printing on paper up to A0 (841mm) in sheets or on a 36 ”(914mm) roll, as well as printing on materials up to 0.8mm thick for CAD, GIS, drawing applications, advertising material, etc.

Laser cutting/engraving machine

High power 130W continuous wave Laser C02, high precision and large surface area (130x90x25cm).
Equipped with water cooling system and rotary shaft for 360 ο cutting.
Use of various materials such as plastics, wood, plexiglass, leather, fabric, metals (engraving), etc., to create vehicle parts, architectural models, lighting, fashion accessories, signs, etc.

PCB printer

CNC machine (LPKF S64) for the construction of printed circuits (PCB) up to 2 levels with the possibility of making flexible boards
Automatic change of 15 cutting tools and head of 60000 rpm for making prototypes, final samples and test electronic boards.

PCP assembly & welding

Pick ‘n’ Place machine for automatic placement of electronic components on PCP, with 4 mounting heads for fast prototype assembly, as well as small production support (2000 components / hour).
Reflow Oven for welding electronic components to PCB.