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THE COMBILASER CONSORTIUM HAS SUCCESSFULLY PASSED THE FINAL TECHNICAL REVIEW IN BRUSSELS

The project's technical coordinator Mr. Tomaž Munih presented the overall progress and conclusion of the project and the main implications of the COMBILASER project' innovation, whereas representatives of each WP and industrial use-case presented the work accomplished for the each industrial use-case user: Hidria AET from Slovenia, Orkli S. Coop. from Basque country, Spain and TMComas from Catalonia, Spain. The COMBILASER project succeeded in developing advanced technological setups for all three, combining monitoring data vs detected defects by NDT through a self-learning system (SLS). The results obtained form the validation tests that were made last June in Slovenia and in November and December in Spain, show great promise. The one-of-a-kind developed Self-Learning System is showing great potential with its leak-test to 'guide' function, as a pre-welding inspection system and as an optimization tool for the cladding process. The COMBILASER project has provided some technical breakthroughs such as the development of a laser controlled process through a closed loop, an advanced algorithm for optimizing tool for the cladding process, incorporated 'learning function' in the SLS algorithm in the glow plug welding use-case , a post-welding inspection system.

The COMBILASER project partners are already contemplating various follow-up research activities, be it bilateral or a continuation of the COMBILASER project idea through a follow-up H2020 or FP9 project. The COMBILASER project and its results will be also presented at the Photonics PPP Annual Meeting on 9th April in Brussels by Mr. Stefan Kaierle of Laser Zentrum Hannover.

COMBILASER 5th press release published

The COMBILASER project has published its 5th and final press release. In the document you can find the information about the concluding project activities and the solutions that were developed in the COMBILASER project. The Press release is available here.

COMBILASER SOLUTIONS SUCCESSFULLY VALIDATED

Developed solutions were studied in the 3 different use cases and facilities:

• Hidria AET (HAET) in Tolmin, Slovenia
• Orklic (ORK) use case in Ordizia, Spain
• TMComas (TMC) use case in Blanes, Spain

The COMBILASER proejct employed a two-stage testing and validation process. Prior to the final validation, which as stated ended in December 2017, proposed systems were previously tested in the laboratory scale for each use case. The performed tests were carried out at the laboratory facilities of COMBILASER development partners in form of a detailed simulation. Tests for Hidria case were carried out at Laser Zentrum Hannover facilities, whereas both ORKLI and Talleres Mecánicos COMAS cases were performed at IK4-LORTEK facilities. Later, the developed setups were transferred to the industrial partners' premises and tested in their second stage in real industrial environment (see the enclosed pictures for each UC).

Now, at the end of the COMBILASER project, it can be stated that we succeeded despite some deviations from the initial proposal. For each use case concrete conclusions were reached on practical usability of the proposed monitoring and NDT solutions and their interlinking with the developed Self-Learning System (SLS).

Final validated solutions for each UC are as follows:

HAET UC:

Self-Learning System (SLS) integrated with:

• Spectral signal monitoring
• Melt-pool diameter measuring system

SLS feature: as prediction tool via leak test to ‘guide’ model - the learning function of the SLS

ORKLI UC: 

Self-Learning System (SLS) integrated with:

• Post-welding inspection system

SLS feature: post-weld inspection system information input at pre-industrial level

TMC UC:

Self-Learning System (SLS) integrated with:

• Laser Power control system.

SLS feature: optimization tool for variable process conditions

The conclusion of the validation stage also marks the successful end of the COMBILASER project. The partners are now preparing for their final project review meeting by the European Commission, which is scheduled to take place in Brussels in February. Experience and knowledge gained throughout the COMBILASER project, as well as information exchange with other similar projects funded under the Horizon 2020 Programme, provides much incentive for the project partners to seek further cooperation. First talks in this direction have already taken part and the COMBILASER consortium is firmly convinced that the established partnerships and mutual trust among partners both form a solid base for further cooperation activities; bilateral, within H2020 or the upcoming FP9 research perspective.