Crowdhelix, a global innovation network, has launched the Manufacturing Helix to encourage expert collaboration across the fields of manufacturing engineering, remanufacturing, industrial digital twins, advanced production and process technologies.
The Manufacturing Helix is a key outcome to emerge from the €5.6 million Horizon Europe-funded CREDIT project, and researchers, academics, industry experts, regulatory professionals and citizen interest groups are invited to join the Helix.
The Manufacturing Helix responds to the objectives of the European Union's New European Innovation Agenda by enabling the circular remanufacturing of components and products, thereby promoting sustainable manufacturing and reducing environmental impact.
Michael Browne, Chief Operating Officer of Crowdhelix believes that by bringing together experts from across multiple disciplines and value chains, the Manufacturing Helix can help accelerate the development and adoption of technological solutions to transform international manufacturing-related research and innovation.
“We created the Manufacturing Helix to serve as a hub where specialists can participate in collaborative international research projects across a wide range of manufacturing areas, including engineering, remanufacturing, factories of the future, nano-fabrication, materials processing, as well as digitisation and AI-application in manufacturing”.
“The goals of the Manufacturing Helix are also complementary to several of our other Helixes; including Materials, Digital, Energy, Circular Industry, and Circular Plastics”.
The CREDIT project is indicative of the potential offered by cross-sectoral and multinational collaboration. One of two key projects within the Manufacturing Helix, CREDIT brings together 11 partners from across the EU and Turkey.
The project seeks to address challenges in circular remanufacturing through a human-centred approach that is focused on:
- The digitalisation of assets.
- Creating multi-layered Digital Twins.
- Developing an open-source Information and Communication Technology platform.
The project will also integrate a range of remanufacturing-enabled digital services, including:
- AI-based decision support systems.
- DLT-based traceability and quality control.
- Predictive maintenance.
- Support tools for remanufacturing operations, such as Augmented Reality.
Lidia Parilla Benitez, project coordinator from project partner IDENER explains that remanufacturing plays a critical role in achieving circularity around EU industrial processes.
“Self-sufficiency and circularity have become essential for a sustainable and prosperous European manufacturing industry, reinforcing the need for a shift towards renewable and resilient industrial practices”.
“The CREDIT project aims to significantly improve remanufacturing, circularity and recycling through an innovative human-centred approach, leading to a more efficient, sustainable and socially responsible manufacturing industry”.
The Manufacturing Helix is now open for membership. Researchers, academics, industry experts, regulatory professionals and citizen interest groups working across all related disciplines are invited to join and contribute to this exciting innovation community.