Canagrosa completes its participation in the AFA-3e project
A contribution focused on improving and validating surface treatments within a collaborative aerospace additive manufacturing project
At Canagrosa, we have completed our participation in the AFA-3e project, a collaborative initiative aimed at improving the energy efficiency of a zero-emission electric air taxi through the application of additive manufacturing in components for primary structures, secondary structures, and interior elements.
In this context, our contribution has focused on the improvement and validation of surface treatments applied to parts manufactured using additive manufacturing technologies, with a very positive balance from a technical point of view and high potential for application in highly demanding aerospace environments.
During our participation in AFA-3e, we have evaluated different post-process treatments applied to both metallic and polymeric materials, deepening our knowledge of surface treatments and their validation on real parts. The results obtained have made it possible to significantly reduce surface roughness, one of the main challenges associated with additive manufacturing, without compromising the mechanical or physical properties of the components.
Laboratory tests confirm that the improvement in surface finish has been achieved without negatively affecting mechanical or physical properties, such as fatigue resistance, which is essential for use in aeronautical applications.
The value of working in consortium
Subsidized by the CDTI, the AFA-3e project has been developed over three years in consortium with various companies in the sector, such as Guarnicionería Aeronáutica Hermanos Aranda, Egile Mechanics, Adática Engineering, together with the CATEC (Centro Avanzado de Tecnologías Aeroespaciales), a collaboration that has brought high added value to the development of the project.
The exchange of knowledge, complementary skills, and a shared vision of the technological challenges have made it possible to achieve more robust results with a higher degree of technological maturity. This collaborative dynamic has been decisive in aligning developments with the potential needs of the aerospace sector.
Strengthening capabilities in surface treatments for aerospace additive manufacturing
The development of the AFA-3e project has been an important step for participants in consolidating capabilities in additive manufacturing applied to the aerospace sector, comprehensively addressing different phases of the process, from the design and manufacture of demonstrators to post-processing and final evaluation of parts.
Within this collaborative framework, the project has enabled progress in the knowledge of advanced processes, broadened experience in the validation of parts intended for demanding environments, and reinforced a more comprehensive approach.
Transfer of results and new opportunities
The knowledge, methodologies, and solutions developed in AFA-3e are already being transferred to other R&D activities that continue this line of work.
Likewise, the advances achieved in surface treatments and surface quality control have high potential for application in other industrial sectors, where additive manufacturing and surface finishing are critical factors for the performance and reliability of parts.
A strengthened position as a strategic partner in R&D
The completion of AFA-3e reinforces Canagrosa's position as a strategic partner in aeronautical R&D projects, demonstrating our technical and collaborative capacity to participate in high-tech collaborative initiatives and generate results with industrial impact.
In addition, the project opens up new lines of research and collaboration, both in the field of additive manufacturing and in the development of advanced processes applicable to high added-value sectors, consolidating our role as a leading international aerospace laboratory.
