An initiative in collaboration with ai2 (UPV), photonicSENS, and AGFRA

At Factor, we continue to advance in the development of innovative solutions for industry. Our participation in the VIMAX project is a clear example of our commitment to continuous improvement and technology applied to quality control.

The project, developed in conjunction with the Institute of Industrial Automation and Computer Science (ai2) at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), the technology company Photonic Sensors & Algorithms S.L. (photonicSENS), and the engineering firm AGFRA, aims to create a high-precision online metrology device capable of measuring parts in real time with micron accuracy.

A milestone in industrial metrology

VIMAX is tackling a major technological challenge: developing a low-cost online metrology system that can inspect 100% of manufactured parts at the same speed at which they are produced. To achieve this, the consortium is working on a technology based on artificial vision cameras capable of achieving micron-level precision and processing 30 images per second.

The result will be an autonomous measuring station that can analyze both the exterior and interior of parts without the need to cut them, a breakthrough that will transform quality control processes in the manufacturing industry.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

Each entity participating in the project contributes specialized and complementary knowledge that is essential to its success.

• photonicSENS contributes its pioneering technology in 3D cameras, the basis of the measurement system, as well as its experience in the development, assembly, and layout of these devices to ensure maximum precision.
• AGFRA contributes its expertise in engineering and industrial automation, which is key to the design and manufacture of the prototype, ensuring its robustness and adaptability to different production environments.
• The ai2 Institute (UPV) contributes its extensive knowledge of robotics, computer vision, and advanced algorithms, which are essential for 3D image reconstruction and programming the high-precision mobile prototype.
• As the project leader, Factor coordinates the initiative and contributes more than 40 years of experience in precision manufacturing. In addition, we provide the consortium with the infrastructure and production lines necessary to validate the system in a real industrial environment.

Current status and next steps

The system has already demonstrated its ability to measure with micron precision in the laboratory. The project is currently in the development phase of the robotic mechanical system. The next steps will focus on adjusting the automatic system and defining the mechanism for securing parts for accurate measurement.

Subsequently, the VIMAX prototype will be validated in a pilot scenario that simulates a real industrial environment, with continuous flow and error handling tests.

Expected impact on the industry

The implementation of the VIMAX system will represent a qualitative leap for industrial metrology. Its accessible design will allow the manufacturing industry, especially SMEs, to incorporate high-precision inspection technology at an affordable cost.

The expected benefits include improved quality and efficiency, by inspecting 100% of parts and reducing the defect rate by up to 90%; cost reduction, thanks to shorter verification times and less waste of raw materials; and increased competitiveness by ensuring more demanding quality standards.

Collaboration and open innovation

Participating in consortiums such as VIMAX allows us to tackle technological challenges that would not be possible individually, promoting knowledge transfer between academia and industry. For Factor, these types of collaborations -as in the European projects i4Q, TALON, and SUN- consolidate our position at the forefront of innovation and strengthen our commitment to Industry 4.0.

Combining the experience of senior profiles with the energy and new perspectives of young talent is another pillar of the project. Experienced engineers and innovation technicians collaborate in a dynamic environment that promotes creativity, mutual learning, and agile problem solving.

Talent and shared learning

The development of VIMAX is also proving to be a space for learning and collaboration between different profiles and generations. The union between university research, the agility of a technology company, and Factor's industrial experience generates a unique synergy, where innovation translates into practical solutions applicable to the real market.

In this context, combining the experience of senior profiles with the energy and fresh perspectives of young talent is proving particularly enriching. Experienced engineers, engineering and quality managers guide and collaborate with younger innovation technicians in a dynamic environment that encourages mutual learning and creative problem solving.

Junior profiles, for their part, play an active role in the development of the project: they participate in monitoring progress, conducting tests, and evaluating results. For them, VIMAX represents an exceptional opportunity to train in cutting-edge technologies and develop their careers in emerging areas such as Industry 4.0, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Towards a new era of industrial quality control

With enthusiasm and perseverance, the Factor Ingeniería team is moving towards achieving the technical objectives of the VIMAX project. The collaboration with ai2 (UPV), photonicSENS, and AGFRA is laying the foundations for a new generation of more accurate, efficient, and accessible industrial metrology systems.

VIMAX represents another step forward in the technological evolution of the sector and in Factor's commitment to innovation applied to the improvement of production processes and the development of the industry of the future

El evento sitúa a Valencia en el epicentro de la innovación en semiconductores y consolida su papel como foco tecnológico de referencia

La semana pasada, Factor Ingeniería estuvo presente en la segunda edición de Valencia Silicon Fórum, el principal foro de España especializado en talento para los semiconductores.

Consolidado como punto de encuentro estratégico, este evento impulsa el talento nacional, conecta a profesionales, estudiantes y empresas, y fomenta un ecosistema de innovación entre industria, academia y administración pública.

La participación en este encuentro ha supuesto para Factor la oportunidad de conocer de primera mano el estado de las tecnologías y los intereses que empresas nacionales e internacionales están poniendo, de forma creciente, en este sector.

Actualmente, la compañía desarrolla dos proyectos de innovación vinculados con la fotónica y microelectrónica: VIMAX (IVACE, ámbito regional) y FOTONIL24 (CDTI Misiones, ámbito nacional), tecnologías aplicadas al terreno industrial y, en concreto, a la medición de piezas de alta precisión en tiempo real.

En este sentido, Alfredo Giménez, director de Innovación, ha subrayado que “los campos de aplicación de la fotónica y la microelectrónica siguen creciendo, además de constituir un foco de atención estratégico para la política de innovación y defensa”.

El balance del encuentro es muy positivo, ya que refuerza la visibilidad y el posicionamiento de las compañías tecnológicas. Giménez ha añadido: “Para nosotros es todo un privilegio y una gran oportunidad que el sector valenciano, y los valencianos, contemos con un foco tecnológico tan avanzado en nuestra propia tierra”.

Por su parte, Fernando Gastaldo, director general de Factor Ingeniería, ha expresado su agradecimiento a Valencia Silicon Cluster y València Innovation Capital - Ajuntament de València por la excelente organización del encuentro y la creación de un espacio de referencia internacional.

Gastaldo ha hecho especial hincapié en la labor de FEMEVAL, colaboradora del Valencia Silicon Fórum, “por el impulso a la cadena de valor de sus asociados y el apoyo a las oportunidades que este tipo de iniciativas generan”.

Asimismo, Factor reconoce la contribución de instituciones clave como la Universitat de València, la Universitat Politècnica de València, la Secretaría de Estado de Telecomunicaciones e Infraestructuras Digitales (Ministerio para la Transformación Digital y de la Función Pública), la Sociedad Española para la Transformación Tecnológica, la Generalitat Valenciana, el Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad e Innovación (IVACE+i) y la Confederación Empresarial de la Comunitat Valenciana.

Fotografía: Valmetal.

Immersive robotics, 5G connectivity, and new advances in industrial safety

The facilities of Factor Ingeniería have been the setting for a key pilot test of the European MANTRA project, focused on the development of advanced solutions for robotic teleoperation in industrial environments using mixed reality (MR), sensory feedback, and 5G-WiFi connectivity.

Validation in a real manufacturing environment

The test allowed the system to be validated under real working conditions, in an operational industrial environment rather than in a laboratory or test bench. This was key to verifying both the technical feasibility and the practical applicability of the system, which received an acceptance rating of over 80% in the user satisfaction questionnaire (24.5 points out of 30).

Successfully tested technologies

During the session, various components developed within the MANTRA project were evaluated, including:
• Mixed reality (MR) interface for robot teleoperation.
• Multimodal feedback (visual, haptic, and auditory).
• Integrated sensors (RGB, thermal, and point clouds).
• 5G-WiFi connectivity with validated failover (<13ms latency).
• Edge computing with Docker containers and Trusted Execution Environment.
• Control of the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) using Hololens 2 and Meta Quest 3.

Greater safety, more efficiency

One of the main goals of MANTRA is to reduce workplace accidents through telepresence systems with MR. This pilot experience made it possible to improve environmental understanding through thermal and point cloud visualization, and also incorporated haptic and auditory feedback to increase accuracy and avoid collisions. All of this helps ensure that the operator can act from a safe environment, without direct exposure to physical risks.

Data collected and areas for improvement

The evaluation included standardized questionnaires (USEQ, NASA-TLX, and TPI) administered to 13 users; network logs with more than 10,000 messages processed to assess the switching time between 5G and WiFi interfaces; and data on sensory accuracy, transmission latencies, and average scores for task load and immersive presence.

Although the results were very positive, some areas for improvement were identified: certain users noted that the sound was less realistic than the image, that the consistency between the real and virtual environments could be optimized, and that more visual assistance during remote operation would be appreciated.

Next phases of the project

The results of this test will be presented at the EuroXR conference, focused on immersive technologies. In addition, the consortium is already working on incorporating these advances into the IEEE P1955 standard, aimed at robotics in 6G networks. The conclusions drawn from MANTRA will contribute to the design of safer, more connected, and more efficient architectures in the industry of the future.

At Factor, we make our manufacturing environment and our experience available to projects like MANTRA, which mark the path toward a more human and connected industry: safer environments, more efficient operations, and technologies that bring innovation closer to people.

Second plenary session in Bordeaux: aligning strategies and consolidating the consortium’s common roadmap

Last week, Factor Ingeniería participated in the second plenary meeting of the European MaaSAI project, held in Bordeaux alongside the rest of the consortium. The meeting marked a key milestone in reinforcing coordination, sharing insights and major developments, and continuing to build a shared strategy around the Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS) model, where we lead one of the pilot initiatives.

Synergy and commitment in Bordeaux

One of the highlights of this session was the synergy and strong commitment shown by all partners. Working sessions were held with the five members of the Advisory Board, who will accompany and oversee the project over the next 30 months. It was also an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the various European partners within the consortium.

Pilot 1:  enhancing supplier-customer process efficiency

Factor Ingeniería is leading Pilot 1, which focuses on optimizing the supplier–customer relationship through intelligent technologies. The progress so far has been highly positive: a solid foundation has been laid and we are advancing on schedule. This pilot is expected to have a significant impact within the project, as it aims to improve efficiency across the value chain-an essential aspect for the adoption of the MaaS model.

"We are confident that Pilot 1 will deliver real value to the industrial supply chain through the integration of smart technologies into key processes", says our Director of Innovation, Alfredo Giménez.

Valuable input from the Advisory Board

The meetings with the Advisory Board were particularly enriching. Their strategic insights helped identify the project’s key challenges and proposed targeted actions for its development. Their experience will be crucial in ensuring MaaSAI has a tangible impact on European industrial ecosystems.

A transformative model for European industry

The Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS) model represents a paradigm shift toward more flexible, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing. Its evolution will enable companies -especially SMEs- to access advanced manufacturing capabilities without requiring large upfront investments. This transformation democratizes access to innovation and strengthens the competitiveness of the European industrial fabric.

Next steps

Factor Ingeniería now enters the implementation and validation phase of the solutions developed in Pilot 1, in close cooperation with the consortium partners and the Advisory Board. With this shared goal in mind, we remain committed to building a robust, scalable MaaS ecosystem aligned with the real needs of the industrial sector. Step by step, we move towards smarter, more connected, and more sustainable manufacturing.