Project description
A solution to help FMLAs mature
Lighting and detection systems and other photonic and optical applications require free-form micro-optical structures. In fact, the industrial demand for free-form microlens arrays (FMLAs) is a current market reality. The EU-funded PHABULOUS project will create a self-sustainable pilot line for the design and manufacturing of FMLA solutions and their integration into high added value products. The overall aim of the project is to help mature the FMLAs' manufacturing processes and functionalities and increase manufacturing readiness; this will be achieved by adapting predictive algorithms into simulation packages and optimising different ultraprecision micro-machining technologies for the origination of high-quality FMLAs. The project will also implement six industrial use cases demonstrating pilot manufacturing in their operational environment and establish an open-access, sustainable, distributed pilot line infrastructure with a single entry point.
Objective
The urgent need to provide miniaturized optical components is at the origin of the exponential growth of the micro-optics market over the last decade, with an increasing need for free-form micro-optics to address the challenges set by the photonics market for the five to ten years to come. The industrial demand for free-form microlens arrays (FMLAs) is a current market reality. However, the high access barriers to pre-commercial production capabilities in Europe prevent companies, especially SMEs, from commercially exploiting the FMLA technology. Aim of the project is to set up a self-sustainable pilot-line for the design and manufacturing of FMLAs solutions and their integration into high added-value products. The consortium translates urgent and high-impact industrial needs into industrially relevant predictive software packages, manufacturing tools and processes, characterization methods for in- and off-line quality inspection and integration schemes, all necessary for the successful demonstration in pre-commercial production runs. Objective of the project is 1) to mature the FMLAs manufacturing processes and functionalities from the current technology readiness level TRL 5 to TRL 7 and increase the overall manufacturing readiness level of the pilot line from MRL 5 -6 up to MRL 8-9 by adaptation of predictive algorithms into simulation packages, optimization of different ultraprecision micro-machining technologies for the origination of high-quality FMLAs, optimization of high-throughput UV imprint technologies, integration of a surface coating technique portfolio, optimization of the metrology procedure; 2) to implement six industrial use-cases demonstrating pilot manufacturing in their operational environment; 3) to establish an open-access, sustainable, distributed pilot line infrastructure with single entry point; 4) to validate the pilot line services through the implementation of 20 industrial pilot cases.
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
2000 Neuchatel
Switzerland
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Participants (20)
8010 Graz
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02150 Espoo
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80686 Munchen
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75015 PARIS 15
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2068 Hauterive
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5503 LM Veldhoven
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80710 Lehmo
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4102 Ougree
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4102 Seraing
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
KY11 9PF FIFE
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
28029 Madrid
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
38040 Grenoble Cedex 09
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
3341 Ybbsitz
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
6112 Wattens
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59557 Lippstadt
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6850 Dornbirn
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75116 PARIS 16
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participation ended
162 00 PRAHA 6
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
162 00 Prague
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2000 Neuchatel
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