The value of collaborating with IK4-TEKNIKER

José María Ramos, Patxi Etxaniz, Angels Salvador and Gema Pérez, of ONA ELECTROEROSIÓN, ATTEN2, CASTROL and RIOGLASS, respectively, are in charge of key projects developed in collaboration with IK4-TEKNIKER. From their shared experience they tell us about the various forms of collaboration that exist and the benefits of these relations.

1.- To advance down the path of innovation firm steps need to be taken with allies that contribute value. What has IK4-TEKNIKER’s collaboration with ONA consisted of within the framework of an R&D project?

José María Ramos
Technology and Innovation Manager of ONA ELECTROEROSIÓN

Our most recent collaborative work with IK4-TEKNIKER covers several technological areas. The IMPELER project (with the CDTI) has made it possible to optimise the mechanical design of the modular range of large, special machinery towards the dual targets of increased productivity and precision. The possibility of simulating and predicting mechanical behaviour without having to build expensive prototypes and develop a system for volumetric compensation are key results that are enabling us to maintain a leading position in this type of machinery, in the automotive moulds sector as well as in the energy turbine sector.

2.- A spin-off seeks to transfer knowledge with an specific field of application in mind. How has ATTEN2 come into being and what response has it had on the market?

Patxi Etxaniz
ATTEN2 Chief Executive Officer

We are a spin-off of IK4-TEKNIKER. Our aim is the development, production and online marketing of optical sensors designed to measure the characteristics specific to different fluids, in particular lubricating oil, and the providing of offshoot services.

The market response so far has been tremendously positive. Collaboration with IK4-TEKNIKER is a long-term strategy as far as ATTEN2 is concerned. We provide the market vision and its requirements and use them to specify the developments to be made. In the meantime, the convergence in IK4-TEKNIKER arising firstly out of the experience of the oil lab, and secondly out of its multidisciplinary development capabilities in optics, electronics, mechatronics, software, etc., puts us on the market in a privileged position.

3.- R&D services address very specific demands of specialised companies that are leaders in their respective sectors. What do the R&D services that IK4-TEKNIKER offers CASTROL consist of?

Angels Salvador
Distribution Manager of CASTROL Industries in Spain

IK4-TEKNIKER is, without any doubt, our foremost supplier in lubricant analysis on the Iberian Peninsula (including Portugal), for both automotive lubricants and industrial fluids. Our demands are broad, ranging from the most routine analyses to assays for certain special purposes, and they seek to determine performance or require a specifically designed test. Lately, we have been extending this collaboration to water-soluble cutting fluids.

4.- A patent is the successful culmination of intense development work conducted over many years. How has this experience involving cooperation between RIOGLASS and IK4-TEKNIKER worked out?

Gema Pérez
Intellectual Property Manager of RIOGLASS

RIOGLASS is distinguished by innovation but, since not everything is glass in our business, we need the best partners to complement us technologically. What is more, you can’t always come up with new ideas internally; rather, they have to emerge out of the harmonious collaboration with qualified technological partners, as is the case of IK4-TEKNIKER. Regarding this experience in cooperation, I can only say that it has been tremendously positive for my company. In fact, we shall shortly be applying together for a patent to protect the production of layers with self-cleaning cleaning properties; this development would prevent dirt building up on mirror surfaces, and would reduce the consumption of water and other resources associated with cleaning.