INOVA+ is participating in R3DSURFIN, a project funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) that is developing post-processing technologies to make metal additive manufacturing — metal 3D printing — more robust, safe and applicable in operational defence contexts. Participation in this European consortium reinforces INOVA+’s positioning in the defence sector and contributes to Portugal’s best-ever results in the EDF.
With a total budget of €3.7 million, R3DSURFIN — Towards Robust 3D Printed Metallic Components Production for Military Applications by the Development of Innovative Surface Finishing and Design Protocols — focuses on the development of advanced post-processing solutions for 3D-printed metal components intended for defence applications.
Metal additive manufacturing has been gaining ground as a strategic technology for the defence sector, as it enables the production and repair of parts directly in the field, including in military bases, warships, remote areas and other demanding operational environments. This capability can reduce response times, increase logistical autonomy and improve the availability of critical components, especially when repair or replacement must be carried out close to the point of operation.
However, the potential of metal 3D printing also depends on the effectiveness of post-production processes. After printing, parts often require finishing, polishing, anodising, passivation or surface protection — steps that remain expensive, complex, dependent on hazardous chemicals and difficult to apply outside controlled industrial environments. It is precisely this gap, between 3D production and the operational use of parts, that R3DSURFIN aims to address.
Technological innovation for more autonomous operations
R3DSURFIN responds to this challenge by developing portable, safe and easy-to-use technologies designed to be integrated into mobile additive manufacturing systems. These solutions will support the production and repair of metal components in defence contexts, improving durability, corrosion and wear resistance, surface quality and material reliability.
The main innovations under development include an automated vibration-based support removal system, dry-suspension electrolyte technologies for electropolishing and surface protection, “gelectrode”-based solutions for localised anodising and passivation, as well as predictive simulation models and digital tools to support design and additive manufacturing optimisation.
The solutions will mainly be applied to aluminium alloys and stainless steel produced through technologies such as Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED), two relevant approaches for the advanced production and repair of metal components.
Advanced materials, validation and practical application
With a duration of 42 months, R3DSURFIN is organised into 11 work packages covering research, technological development, optimisation, validation, digital tools, business models and future exploitation strategies.
The approach combines scientific development with a strong focus on practical application, with the aim of creating solutions that can be used in real-life contexts. By enabling faster, decentralised and safer production and repair operations, the project contributes to reducing dependence on external supply chains, increasing logistical resilience and strengthening European strategic autonomy.
Beyond military applications, R3DSURFIN also has dual-use potential, with opportunities in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, energy and advanced manufacturing.
A European consortium focused on innovation and market uptake
The consortium brings together eight organisations from seven European countries: DLYTE Chemicals (Spain), project coordinator; CIDETEC Surface Engineering (Spain); INOVA+ (Portugal); Fraunhofer IAPT (Germany); IREPA Laser (France); Northern Waves (Sweden); Bionic Surface Technologies (Austria); and the Military University of Technology (Poland).
Five of the eight entities are SMEs, reinforcing R3DSURFIN’s focus on innovation, technological valorisation and future market uptake. This composition combines scientific knowledge, industrial capacity and expertise in results exploitation, ensuring a balanced approach between research, technological development and future market adoption.
INOVA+’s role in R3DSURFIN
INOVA+ is part of the project, taking responsibility for communication, dissemination and exploitation activities. Its contribution includes promoting the visibility of the initiative among key European stakeholders, supporting knowledge transfer to the defence ecosystem and contributing to the future adoption of the technologies developed.
INOVA+ will also be responsible for activities related to Life Cycle Cost assessment and business-oriented studies, ensuring that the solutions are analysed not only from a technological perspective, but also in terms of economic viability, sustainability and market potential.
Impact for Portugal and Europe (European Defence Fund )
INOVA+’s participation in R3DSURFIN contributes to Portugal’s best-ever results in the European Defence Fund, with national participation in 17 of the 57 selected projects. The company is one of 18 national entities involved in approved projects, integrating a European consortium linked to the areas of digital technologies, advanced materials and defence-oriented solutions.
This result demonstrates the growing capacity of the national ecosystem to integrate European value chains in strategic areas and reinforces INOVA+’s positioning as a partner supporting innovation, technological valorisation and competitiveness in the defence sector.
More than a technological development initiative, R3DSURFIN is an investment in Europe’s autonomy, security and industrial competitiveness. INOVA+ is proud to be part of this consortium and to contribute to Portugal’s growing presence in the European Defence Fund.