INNOVATION IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY AWARDS 2024

AFM has launched the 15th edition of the National Award for Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, in collaboration with BEAZ (Innovation Agency of Bizkaia) and the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC). The awards ceremony will take place during the next Machine Tool Biennial, scheduled for June 3-7, 2024 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in Bizkaia.

Based on a real and constant commitment to innovation, AFM wants to reward the companies that have stood out the most this year in the contribution of innovation to advanced and digital manufacturing. The award is divided into five different categories covering various aspects of innovation. These categories include recognition for innovation in machine tools, components, accessories and tooling, additive manufacturing and 3D, as well as digitization and automation in advanced manufacturing environments. In addition, a special award will be given to the most innovative startup oriented to advanced and digital manufacturing, in which the most outstanding emerging company will be selected from among all the candidates entered in the four previous categories.

The registration process requires the submission of the corresponding form before April 8, while the necessary documentation must be submitted before May 6. It is important to note that only companies participating in the 32nd edition of the BIEMH will have the opportunity to compete for this award. The jury's assessment will be based on innovation and technological criteria, but aspects related to design, ergonomics, safety and sustainability will also be taken into account.

In the last edition, held in 2022, ZAYER won the Machine Tool Innovation Award with its "AETOS Machining Center", highlighting ergonomics and ease of use. Meanwhile, NICOLÁS CORREA received the award in Components and Tooling for its "BM-180 Fully Interchangeable Boring Bar". Also, NAVANTIA was awarded in Additive and 3D Manufacturing for its "Hybrid Rudder Blade", and SMART PM won the award in Concept Integration 4.0 with its "MIC Intelligent Manufacturing Process Management Platform". The most innovative startup, CITD, was recognized for its development and certification of a new product. The AFM-SIF Awards for the best end-of-degree project 2021 and 2022 were also presented to Mikel González of the University of the Basque Country UPV-EHU and Guzmán Domínguez of the University of Cadiz, respectively.