The DISCMAM AM defence supply chain project enters second stage
June 16, 2025
The Digital Supply Chain for on-site Maintenance in defence by Additive Manufacturing (DISCMAM) project has now passed its halfway point. The project is focused on optimising maintenance and manufacturing processes in defence field operations by establishing secure, on-site assisted AM capabilities. These developments all aim to significantly reduce downtime and enhance the reliability and security of repairs and newly manufactured components in critical operational settings.
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Key milestones noted during this first reporting period include:
- Definition of maintenance scenarios: Actual field maintenance scenarios were identified and defined; within these scenarios, several specific use cases were selected to validate and demonstrate the DISCMAM concept in real-world conditions.
- Design of a cybersecure digital pathway: A secure digital framework was developed to ensure the files and process data sharing, qualification of the built physical part, eliminating the need for additional testing on site.
- Implementation of an on-site maintenance plan: The project successfully updated and implemented a strategy for on-site operations that reduces machine downtime while maintaining the quality and functionality of repaired or manufactured components.
- Integration of monitoring devices into Additive Manufacturing equipment to enhance process reliability and ensure the quality of final parts.
“The project’s moving along just like we planned. We’ve been hitting all our milestones right on schedule, and the team’s working really well together. We are confident that the final outcomes of the project will make a meaningful difference,” stated the project coordinators.
Two key events were held to mark the occasion. On May 27, Accenture hosted the mid-project Consortium Meeting in Bilbao, Spain, at the iconic Iberdrola Tower. The following day, the project’s official Mid-Term Review Meeting, attended by the European Commission project officer and all partners, was held at the headquarters of the project coordinator, Lortek, in Ordizia, Spain.
The May 28 Mid-Term Review Meeting presented the progress achieved across all Work Packages during the first reporting period. The review went on to highlight the advancements made so far and provided feedback for the next phase and upcoming challenges.
As part of the meeting agenda, participants were also offered a guided tour of Lortek’s facilities. The visit included an up-close look at the metal Additive Manufacturing cells and machines, including a demo on the novel hybrid Directed Energy Deposition (DED) multi-robot cell. This provided the perfect opportunity to witness the research and technological advancements being carried out within the DISCMAM framework firsthand.
Building on the progress made in the first eighteen months, the project’s second phase has begun and will run until November 2026. In this stage, the consortium will focus on the manufacturing and repair of the use cases defined in the first phase. Additionally, all the knowledge and developments generated so far, such as the cybersecure digital pathway, 3D scanning methodologies, and process monitoring solutions, will be integrated into a comprehensive final solution.
