Fostering the PAN-European infrastructure for empowering SMEs digital competences in laser-based advance and additive manufacturing

PULSATE will establish a PAN-European Network to stimulate SMEs to take part in the Innovation Ecosystem of LBAAM, by connecting Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) to a support structure of knowledge, infrastructure and services, designed to tackle the issues currently limiting the adoption of LBAAM technology. A balanced combination is proposed between wide outreach using interconnected Virtual Communities and ICT tools (a Single Entry Point will connect a wide range of networking and servicing tools), and close exchange and interaction via DIHs.
The project relies on a consortium of 6 competence centres (AIMEN, FTMC, MTC, SINTEF, Fraunhofer, CEA), service community and marketplace providers (FBA, CLESGO), and a photonics industry association (EPIC). With >50 previous projects outcomes, existing tools and services, connections with 74 running DIHs, Clusters and regional initiatives, PULSATE counts with the explicit support of companies and institutions (>80LoS), and an independent Board of Stakeholders gathering key players in LBAAM will ensure the quality and pertinence of PULSATE orientation.
PULSATE will operate under 4 action areas: Business, Technology, Competence & Awareness, addressing the following technology domains: Nano/Micro Fabrication, AM, High Power Laser Manufacturing and Digitisation, and implementing 4 Open Calls and a catalogue of services.
AIMEN is the coordinator of PULSATE initiative and will focus on setting the foundations of the PULSATE project at every level, will collaborate in launching and managing the Open Calls and in coordinating the technological and business to assure the successful execution of the experiments selected. In addition, AIMEN will collaborate in deploying the full service offering open to the EU manufacturing and will lead the activities related to the definition of the pathways to fruitfully exploit the PULSATE results, generating tools and mechanisms, during the project, that fully guarantees the long-term sustainability of the PULSATE project. Finally, AIMEN will collaborate in raising awareness about the potential benefits of using LBAAM technologies in the manufacturing industry and the opportunity that PULSATE represents.