Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GLAZER (Transforming the glass industry with environmentally clean and energy-efficient laser technology)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-07-01 al 2023-03-31
Glass processing includes multiple mechanically performed operations that are energy-intensive and generate hazardous waste. Since the EU is one of the globally leading producers of glass, it is important to find solutions for cleaner and environmentally friendly methods to process glass. GLAZER project aims at industrializing and introducing to the market a breakthrough laser-based solution for high-volume industrial glass processing. The developed solution can be applied to a wide range of glass types from glassware to laminated construction glass. It eliminates the most energy-intensive and polluting operations reducing production of the hazardous waste and GHG throughout the industry.
The developed solution is based on a patented one-of-a-kind pulsed CO2 laser, which was invented and prototyped by Hypermemo specifically for industrial glass processing. The specific project’s objectives are to develop the robust industrial grade laser and arrange its pilot production to serve purposes of several trials with leading global glass manufacturers and glass processing machinery vendors. The successful implementation of these trials requires two industrial-scale system prototypes to be developed and internally tested before being deployed at customers’ premises. Both prototypes and the laser are complex engineering systems that include expertise in various domains such as mechatronics, microelectronics, photonics, industrial automation and software. The project aims at developing these competences for the company. In addition, to ensure further commercial exploitation of the technology, the operational and managerial capacity of the company is planned to be enhanced. Industrial trials are planned to be conducted at customers’ production environment for the sound proof-of-concept, which will be further disseminated within the key industry stakeholders.
The developed solution is based on a patented one-of-a-kind pulsed CO2 laser, which was invented and prototyped by Hypermemo specifically for industrial glass processing. The specific project’s objectives are to develop the robust industrial grade laser and arrange its pilot production to serve purposes of several trials with leading global glass manufacturers and glass processing machinery vendors. The successful implementation of these trials requires two industrial-scale system prototypes to be developed and internally tested before being deployed at customers’ premises. Both prototypes and the laser are complex engineering systems that include expertise in various domains such as mechatronics, microelectronics, photonics, industrial automation and software. The project aims at developing these competences for the company. In addition, to ensure further commercial exploitation of the technology, the operational and managerial capacity of the company is planned to be enhanced. Industrial trials are planned to be conducted at customers’ production environment for the sound proof-of-concept, which will be further disseminated within the key industry stakeholders.
Main results achieved:
WP1: Technology industrialization.
Task 1.1: Supply chain.
Due to the Covid-19 caused disturbances in global supply chains we had to re-evaluate and redesign practically the whole supply chain as many of the existing suppliers, which were fully operational, proven and cost-effective earlier, turned out to close their operations or fail to deliver in a reasonable time or/and at a reasonable cost.
New supply channels are oriented towards the local and EU-based suppliers, while some key suppliers are still in China.
Russian suppliers had to be replaced with the EU-based or Chinese ones.
Task 1.2: Pilot production of lasers.
The pilot batch of the compact-sized and robust industrial-grade lasers was manufactured, tested and used for trial purposes.
The custom-designed RF power supply and control unit for the laser was designed, prototyped, and EMC tested at the certified external lab.
WP2: Operational capacity.
Task 2.1: Enhancing organizational capacity.
Engineering capacity was enhanced with 6 new FTEs.
Management and admin capacity was enhanced with 5 new FTEs.
BoD was enhanced through adding independent Board member from UK.
Advisory Board was set up to extend in-house competences in legal, financial management, product management and IPR.
Organization capacity development plan was made.
Task 2.2: Upgrade of the laser production facility.
Clean room extension was built to upgrade the class from ISO 5 to ISO 3.
Small room was equipped to enable chemical treatment of laser parts according to ultra-high vacuum standards.
Facility upgrade plan was developed to enable industrial scale manufacturing of lasers.
Task 2.3: IPR protection, legal capacity, and regulatory compliance.
Glaser EU trademark was filed and received.
Three new inventions were identified as an outcome of the product development activity.
FTO analysis and IPR strategy were conducted with external IP lawyers.
EMC testing was implemented at the authorized external lab.
Standard-based bending tests were implemented at the authorized external lab.
WP3: Market validation.
Task 3.1: Industrial trial: hot glassware cutting.
All mechanical, optical, electronic and software components of the industrial-grade setup were designed, sourced, installed, and tested.
New LOI was signed in August 2022 to define scope of the onsite trial and further commercial path.
Internal trials were implemented, samples delivered to customer for evaluation in December 2022.
On-site trials at customer’s factory were conducted outside of the project 27.4.-5.5.2023.
Task 3.2: Industrial trial: automotive glass cutting.
All mechanical, optical, electronic and software components and parts of the 3-axis robotic cell were designed, sourced, installed and tested.
Scope of the trial was re-defined after the meeting in September 2022.
Collaboration roadmap was drafted and agreed with customer in Nov. 2022, includes 2 pre-commercial phases.
Phase 1 was implemented in Feb-March 2023 as internal trial (preparation of samples for standard bending tests at external lab). Superior edge strength of glass processed by Glaser was observed. Results will be used for dissemination purposes.
Phase 2 to be implemented in May-June 2023 at customer’s premises outside of the project.
Task 3.3: Evaluation trial: laminated glass cutting.
Trial was implemented in March 2022 using the robotic cell developed in Task 3.2.
Samples were delivered to customer for evaluation.
Task 3.4: Evaluation trial: construction glass cutting.
POC Agreement was signed in November 2022, defining the scope of trial.
Trial started in December 2022 using the robotic cell developed in Task 3.2. Samples delivered to customer for evaluation and testing in January 2023.
Customer’s evaluation report was received in March 2023, showing excellent results, to be used for dissemination purposes.
WP4: Dissemination and market outreach.
Task 4.1: Communication channels.
New website www.hypermemo.eu was launched and promoted.
Glaser.fi domain name was reserved for future purposes.
LinkedIn profile was continuously updated.
Visibility gained through glass industry specific communities as well as leading industry influencers.
Task 4.2: Awareness raising and visibility.
Glaser system was successfully introduced to the market at Glasstec event in September 2022.
Invited presentation was given at Glasstec Conference in September 2022.
Two press releases were produced and distributed.
COO Erik Raita was approved as a speaker to Glass Performance Days in June 2023.
Task 4.3: Stakeholder engagement.
New private venture investors contacted through various investor pitching events, incl. the Tech Tour 2022 and High Tech Venture Days 2022.
Cooperation with leading European universities and RTOs doing glass-related research were established.
Partnerships with several potential resellers/distributors among equipment manufacturers were established.
Task 4.4: Sales support.
Short promotional videos were produced to present the company and technology to investors and industry stakeholders.
Climate impact was calculated using Climate Forecast platform and validated by independent experts of Climate KIC.
WP1: Technology industrialization.
Task 1.1: Supply chain.
Due to the Covid-19 caused disturbances in global supply chains we had to re-evaluate and redesign practically the whole supply chain as many of the existing suppliers, which were fully operational, proven and cost-effective earlier, turned out to close their operations or fail to deliver in a reasonable time or/and at a reasonable cost.
New supply channels are oriented towards the local and EU-based suppliers, while some key suppliers are still in China.
Russian suppliers had to be replaced with the EU-based or Chinese ones.
Task 1.2: Pilot production of lasers.
The pilot batch of the compact-sized and robust industrial-grade lasers was manufactured, tested and used for trial purposes.
The custom-designed RF power supply and control unit for the laser was designed, prototyped, and EMC tested at the certified external lab.
WP2: Operational capacity.
Task 2.1: Enhancing organizational capacity.
Engineering capacity was enhanced with 6 new FTEs.
Management and admin capacity was enhanced with 5 new FTEs.
BoD was enhanced through adding independent Board member from UK.
Advisory Board was set up to extend in-house competences in legal, financial management, product management and IPR.
Organization capacity development plan was made.
Task 2.2: Upgrade of the laser production facility.
Clean room extension was built to upgrade the class from ISO 5 to ISO 3.
Small room was equipped to enable chemical treatment of laser parts according to ultra-high vacuum standards.
Facility upgrade plan was developed to enable industrial scale manufacturing of lasers.
Task 2.3: IPR protection, legal capacity, and regulatory compliance.
Glaser EU trademark was filed and received.
Three new inventions were identified as an outcome of the product development activity.
FTO analysis and IPR strategy were conducted with external IP lawyers.
EMC testing was implemented at the authorized external lab.
Standard-based bending tests were implemented at the authorized external lab.
WP3: Market validation.
Task 3.1: Industrial trial: hot glassware cutting.
All mechanical, optical, electronic and software components of the industrial-grade setup were designed, sourced, installed, and tested.
New LOI was signed in August 2022 to define scope of the onsite trial and further commercial path.
Internal trials were implemented, samples delivered to customer for evaluation in December 2022.
On-site trials at customer’s factory were conducted outside of the project 27.4.-5.5.2023.
Task 3.2: Industrial trial: automotive glass cutting.
All mechanical, optical, electronic and software components and parts of the 3-axis robotic cell were designed, sourced, installed and tested.
Scope of the trial was re-defined after the meeting in September 2022.
Collaboration roadmap was drafted and agreed with customer in Nov. 2022, includes 2 pre-commercial phases.
Phase 1 was implemented in Feb-March 2023 as internal trial (preparation of samples for standard bending tests at external lab). Superior edge strength of glass processed by Glaser was observed. Results will be used for dissemination purposes.
Phase 2 to be implemented in May-June 2023 at customer’s premises outside of the project.
Task 3.3: Evaluation trial: laminated glass cutting.
Trial was implemented in March 2022 using the robotic cell developed in Task 3.2.
Samples were delivered to customer for evaluation.
Task 3.4: Evaluation trial: construction glass cutting.
POC Agreement was signed in November 2022, defining the scope of trial.
Trial started in December 2022 using the robotic cell developed in Task 3.2. Samples delivered to customer for evaluation and testing in January 2023.
Customer’s evaluation report was received in March 2023, showing excellent results, to be used for dissemination purposes.
WP4: Dissemination and market outreach.
Task 4.1: Communication channels.
New website www.hypermemo.eu was launched and promoted.
Glaser.fi domain name was reserved for future purposes.
LinkedIn profile was continuously updated.
Visibility gained through glass industry specific communities as well as leading industry influencers.
Task 4.2: Awareness raising and visibility.
Glaser system was successfully introduced to the market at Glasstec event in September 2022.
Invited presentation was given at Glasstec Conference in September 2022.
Two press releases were produced and distributed.
COO Erik Raita was approved as a speaker to Glass Performance Days in June 2023.
Task 4.3: Stakeholder engagement.
New private venture investors contacted through various investor pitching events, incl. the Tech Tour 2022 and High Tech Venture Days 2022.
Cooperation with leading European universities and RTOs doing glass-related research were established.
Partnerships with several potential resellers/distributors among equipment manufacturers were established.
Task 4.4: Sales support.
Short promotional videos were produced to present the company and technology to investors and industry stakeholders.
Climate impact was calculated using Climate Forecast platform and validated by independent experts of Climate KIC.
IPR: EU trade mark application filed and granted (M12). Two new inventions were evaluated by IP lawyers as potential patent application to be filed (M33).
Business KPIs (M33): 2 new high added-value manufacturing processes developed, products to be introduced to the market after the project.
Socio-economic impact (M33): 10 new jobs created, incl. 3 female jobs.
Business KPIs (M33): 2 new high added-value manufacturing processes developed, products to be introduced to the market after the project.
Socio-economic impact (M33): 10 new jobs created, incl. 3 female jobs.