This space was created with the aim of supporting the development of functional prototypes that allow for the validation of technologies, increasing their Technology Readiness Level (TRL), and facilitating their commercialization.
Prototypes are a key tool for enhancing the value of scientific results and opening the door to future collaborations with the industrial sector.
Equipment of the Prototyping Lab
The Prototyping Laboratory is equipped with versatile and modern infrastructure, including:
- Prusa XL 3D printer
- Having 5 independent print heads allows us to combine various colors or different materials in a single piece, merging properties and achieving unique results, or simply to have multiple setups ready at the same time, drastically reducing preparation times and streamlining part production.
- In our laboratory, we have the entire range of nozzles. The nozzle is characterized by the diameter of its opening, which essentially determines the resolution of the printed part (at the expense of productivity). From day one, we acquired the 0.25 mm nozzles for parts requiring maximum detail, the 0.4 mm for standard conditions, the 0.6 mm for larger parts where localized detail is less critical but higher productivity is needed, and the 0.8 mm mainly for materials that are difficult to print.
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Lathe and milling machine capable of preparing a wide range of materials
These precision tools allow for subtractive manufacturing and detailed finishing of components made from metals, plastics, and composites. They are essential for creating mechanical parts with tight tolerances and for post-processing 3D-printed elements that require high accuracy or specific surface finishes. -
Tin soldering station
Equipped with temperature control and various tip geometries, the soldering station is ideal for assembling and repairing electronic circuits, prototyping PCBs, and integrating electronic components into mechanical systems. It enables fast, reliable connections that are essential for functional prototypes involving sensors, microcontrollers, or other embedded electronics.
Prusa XL 3D printer at ICMAB Prototyping Laboratory | ICMAB-CSIC
Services offered by the Prototyping Laboratory
- Development of functional and demonstrative prototypes
- Fabrication of devices and auxiliary tools for research
- Parametric 3D modeling
- Technical consulting and design engineering
- Manufacturing of parts using FDM, machining, and manual processes
- Design and fabrication of electrical and electronic circuits
- Numerical simulations (CFD, thermal transfer, structural mechanics, and dynamics)
A resource for research with a focus on technology transfer
With this new laboratory, ICMAB reinforces its commitment to research valorization and technology transfer. The service is designed as an internal resource that enables the transformation of scientific results into tangible prototypes, ready to be showcased, tested, and transferred to the productive sector.
The Prototyping Laboratory is part of the Knowledge Transfer Unit led by Alfonso del Rey. The technician in charge of the Prototyping Lab is Gerard Albujer. You can
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ICMAB - Knowledge Transfer Unit - How to request a service at the Prototyping Lab
