The people in charge of R&D&i at Ibarmia Innovatek have launched a number of development projects to help increase the multi-functionality of their equipment and increase the precision of large machines, whilst also maintaining the programme to redesign their entire range to enhance the features and adapt them to the new requirements in terms of ergonomics and corporate image.

The projects launched by the Gipuzkoa-based company have the backing of central and regional government through the CDTI and the Gaitek programme. In the latter, researchers have focused on increasing the multi-functionality of machines with developments aimed at optimising milling/turning or milling/drilling work. The company is also part of a consortium of companies in the machine tool sector that has started up an ambitious R&D project aimed at increasing functionality and precision in large machines. The timescale for this project is from 2010 to 2012.

In terms of applied innovation in the strictest sense, Ibarmia Innovatek has designed two new families which it presented at the BIEMH Fair in Bilbao. Namely, the ZVH58 series high productivity machining centre made up of integrated high performance turning and milling centres. This moving column machine enables five-axis or multiface machining thanks to a rotating shaft on the head and the integration of a turntable. In the moving column ZV centres precision and productivity have been improved, together with additional aspects like ecodesign, safety and ergonomics.

Another key element in the company’s management over the next few years will be internationalisation. In this area, Ibarmia Innovatek has received the backing of the Basque Government’s Interbide programme for taking horizontal action which will lead in the second half of 2010 to the opening of the company’s own sales and service office in Germany in collaboration with local partners. Germany is considered to be a key market as it accounts for 15% of the company’s sales, and as it is very demanding in terms of technology it will significantly enable the firm to pick up ideas for improvement, according to the company. The company’s managers have also started to look at the possibility of reproducing the system in China, a project they will tackle in 2011, with India being the third target-country.

Finally, the company is still planning to invest in modernising the oldest factory buildings at its plant in Azkoitia, once the new assembly buildings, engineering area and offices have been completed. The project will be set in motion once there is a consolidation in the market and the aim will be to create more open, higher spaces which will allow in more powerful cranes and larger machinery. The operation will focus on restructuring the machining area and adapting it for the building of larger moving column machines with travels of up to 12 metres in length.

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