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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INFINITE (INNOVATIVE LASER MACHINE FOR INDUSTRIAL ENGRAVING AND 3D TEXTURING)

Teaser

INFINITE is born from the need to create a faster, more accurate and more precise laser engraving solution that is able to deliver the detail and quality already being demanded by customers, but not achievable with any present alternatives, laser or non-laser. This is...

Summary

INFINITE is born from the need to create a faster, more accurate and more precise laser engraving solution that is able to deliver the detail and quality already being demanded by customers, but not achievable with any present alternatives, laser or non-laser. This is achieved through the combination of various software and hardware innovations. Software innovations include programs to design and manipulate the details to be engraved, as well as the program that controls the machine during engraving. The hardware innovations involve adapting an articulated arm robot for greater flexibility, range of motion and working envelope with a reduced footprint, as well as an artificial vision system to improve precision and accuracy and reduce significantly set-up time.

ML Engraving, specialists in engraving, was founded on the principal of “laser or nothing” and with a decade of experience in this area is the ideal candidate to develop these innovations. DS4, has been working with robotics, laser systems and artificial vision for nearly 20 years, making them the ideal partner for the hardware aspects of the INFINITE technology.

However, before this innovative solution could reach the market and to confirm its potential, a feasibility study has been carried out by the two partners. This study evaluates the technical and commercial feasibility of the proposed product in order to assess if it could successfully reach the market. To do so, ML Engraving and DS4 presented a project to the SME Instrument H2020 Phase1 (June 2014). The project was granted and Phase 1 and during the last 4 months, a Feasibility Study comprising a Business Plan has been carried out.

This Feasibility Study consisted of technical, commercial and financial activities. Technical tasks included the detail of the technical specifications and latest developments (further tests and results from the initial 1st prototype and fabrication of a 2nd prototype focusing on the software), including an FMEA risk analysis. A Freedom-to-Operate has been carried out to ensure that the proposed technology does not interfere with existing technologies. Furthermore, the Work Plan for the execution of the innovative project (complete industrial prototype, demonstration and preparation for commercialization) was elaborated, including team, organization and budget assessment.
Regarding commercial and financial activities, an exploitation plan has been developed, including a consolidated market analysis (trends, competitors, growth). A marketing strategy has been elaborated, based on clear value proposition, competitive advantage and objectives.

Finally, a scenario has been detailed and developed, leading to consolidated financial projections for the 2017-2020 period (Revenues, Margin, Profits).

Based on the results of the Feasibility Study, the conclusion is that INFINITE project shall continue on a SME Instrument Phase 2 as it is a strong project which can boost the market by reaching a European need. Moreover, the technical and commercial study carried out justifies the reliance of the technology and has prepared both ML Engraving and DS4 for the future commercialization.

Work performed

During our 4-month Feasibility Study, and based on the original Work Plan proposed in the Phase 1 proposal, we have carried out the following work:
1. Technical feasibility & Project Execution Plan
Led by Paolo Giudici (ML Egraving) and Angelo Petrogalli (DS4), the technical activities started with the preparation for the manufacturing of a 2nd prototype focused on the software (Stage 1) while additional tests and work on the artificial vision were carried out with the 1st prototype (Stage 2-A).
From there, the technical and engineering specifications and basic bill of materials for the industrial prototype (Stage 2) have been prepared. Following these development, an FMEA analysis has been performed by the partners to identify and prevent potential risks/failures with the engraving process and the machine. Following all these development, the Execution Plan for the additional engineering development, industrial prototype (Stage 2) and preparation for commercialization has been drafted. A complete Freedom-to-Operate was included as well to search for existing IP rights that could infringe with our technology. This analysis has confirmed the novelty of INFINITE and the absence of any existing thread for its exploitation.
2. INFINITE commercial potential
In order to obtain a full and detailed picture of the potential markets, led by Andrea Lodetti (ML Engraving), we have carried out a thorough market survey, focusing on the most interesting market (in the area of mould and die tooling for automotive and consumer good sectors). From this analysis we have managed to gain a greater understanding of the size of that market and its segmentation.
Using this analysis, we have prepared our marketing strategy for the commercialization of INFINITE (product/position/price/promotion), including engraving as a service, as well as the production of laser engraving machinery based on the technology.
3. Financial viability & Business plan
Based on the market survey and sales strategy, Ersilio Lodetti (ML Engraving), with the support of DS4, has elaborated a business scenario, leading to consolidated financial projections for the 2017-2020 period with highly positive turnover increase for both ML Engraving and DS4.
Different sources of funding have been evaluated as well, leading to our decision to present a Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 2 in March 2015.

Final results

INFINITE is the next generation of laser engraving systems, designed to deliver greater speed and accuracy than existing technologies, laser and non-laser, while at the same time expanding the capability to engrave detailed surface finishes on complex three dimensional geometries.
Indeed as users of laser engraving machinery ourselves we are aware of the failing of the main providers equipment and service, thus we have identified an opportunity to introduce our INFINITE solution.
For the automotive and consumer industry, the INFINITE technology will allow to have easier and faster engraving process, suitable for the greatest range of materials, achieving higher precision and flexibility while respecting the environment.
As demonstrated by our Feasibility Study, INFINITE will allow us to grow, as INFINITE by itself will achieve a turnover above 14 million by 2020, allowing us to sustainably grow and increase our number of employees.

Website & more info

More info: http://ersilio.lodetti.