In March 2026, the DILAPRO project played a prominent role in the AM Village 2026, held at the Albacete Air Base in Spain. This intensive, week-long event brought together over 400 professionals from the Armed Forces, industry, and academia to explore the practical implementation ofAdditive Manufacturing (AM) in defence environments.
A Joint Effort for Defence:
DILAPRO’s participation was marked by a strong collaborative spirit. The project organised an interactive joint workshop alongside the DISCMAM project, demonstrating how European R&D initiatives could work together to solve complex manufacturing challenges. This session allowed stakeholders to see first-hand how digital twins and laser-based production could be tailored to meet the specific logistics and operational requirements of the military.
Live Technical Demonstrations:
A key highlight of the week was the live on-site metal AM quality workflow demonstration. In partnership with Fieldmade, DILAPRO showcased its software capabilities for real-time monitoring and quality assurance. The demonstration illustrated how the DILAfact platform could manage the transition from digital design to a finished, certified part, even in field-deployed conditions. This hands-on setting provided the perfect venue to validate the project's Quality Module, showing its effectiveness in detecting anomalies and ensuring the structural integrity of critical components.
Connecting Requirements with Skills:
Throughout the event, DILAPRO representatives engaged in expert briefings and seminars, focusing on the harmonisation of AM training and certification protocols. By interacting directly with ministries of defence and industrial certification stakeholders, the project helped bridge the gap between advanced manufacturing research and the practical needs of the European defence sector.
The success in Albacete reinforced DILAPRO’s commitment to driving the twin Green and Digital Transitions, proving that our digital tools were not only theoretically sound but also battle-ready for demanding real-world applications.
