IDEKO showcases advanced manufacturing R&D at the 75th CIRP General Assembly

 IDEKO, a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), has strengthened its position at the forefront of advanced manufacturing R&D with a standout participation in the 75th General Assembly of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), held in Turin, Italy, from 23 to 29 August.

IDEKO attended this year’s event — one of the world’s leading meeting points for the manufacturing research community — with a six-person delegation and five scientific contributions. Considering the size of the centre, this represents an exceptional level of participation and highlights the strength of IDEKO’s scientific capabilities.

This is particularly significant given CIRP’s highly demanding peer-review and selection process, which makes the five accepted contributions a strong endorsement of the scientific level of the research carried out at IDEKO

Broad scientific expertise

IDEKO’s five contributions showcase the breadth of the Researh Centre’s scientific capabilities and their focus on some of the major challenges currently shaping advanced manufacturing, including digitalisation, precision and sustainability.

María García-Moreno presented a new continuous variable-speed grinding strategy aimed at reducing lead marks on cylindrical workpieces. Combining experimental testing with a 3D kinematic model, the research demonstrates the potential of this approach to achieve no-lead surfaces.

Xavier Beudaert, meanwhile, shared progress on an automated system designed to optimise continuous sheet-metal cutting using laser manufacturing technologies.

IDEKO senior researcher Aitor Madariaga also contributed to the keynote presented by Pedro Arrazola, professor at Mondragon Unibertsitatea. The work provides a comprehensive overview of one of the major challenges in machining: part distortion during the manufacturing process. It examines the mechanisms behind distortion, current approaches to predicting, measuring and minimising it, and identifies future research directions linked to smart manufacturing.

Robotics for machining was another of the key research areas represented at the conference. Beñat Iñigo presented research aimed at improving the characterisation of industrial robot stiffness under external loads. The methodology makes it possible to estimate and validate Tool Centre Point (TCP) deflection while accounting for measurement uncertainty — a key step towards enabling industrial robots to perform machining operations with greater precision.

Finally, Markel Sanz presented a study addressing one of the most complex challenges in five-axis thin-wall milling: predicting process stability as both workpiece dynamics and tool-workpiece engagement change. The model combines different simulation tools to anticipate potential instabilities and optimise the process. It has also been applied to an industrial case, reducing errors on the machined surface while maintaining stable manufacturing conditions.

Developing the next generation of research talent

IDEKO’s participation in CIRP 2026 also has particular significance from a talent development perspective. Three of the five contributions were led by researchers who completed their PhDs at IDEKO in 2025: María García-Moreno, Beñat Iñigo and Markel Sanz.

“Having their research accepted at a scientific forum of CIRP’s calibre is a recognition of the work carried out during their PhDs. It also reflects IDEKO’s ability to develop new generations of researchers who combine scientific excellence with a strong understanding of real industrial challenges,” says Jokin Muñoa, Scientific Director at IDEKO, who led the centre’s delegation in Turin.

This commitment to knowledge and people is also reflected in IDEKO’s scientific indicators. In 2025, the centre published 27 papers in indexed scientific journals and held 42 active patents. Around 30% of the team holds a PhD, while a further 11 researchers are currently working towards their thesises.

Beyond scientific recognition, however, IDEKO’s involvement in CIRP supports a broader strategic goal: generating excellent research and turning that knowledge into technology that can be transferred to industry.

By bringing together leading international researchers across the different disciplines of manufacturing, CIRP gives IDEKO the opportunity to benchmark its research against world-class experts, anticipate emerging technology trends and build new international collaboration networks.

“For us, participating in CIRP is an important indicator of the scientific level of our research. Presenting five contributions this year means that the knowledge we are generating is being tested and challenged in one of the most demanding scientific environments in our field,” adds Jokin Muñoa.

IDEKO’s relationship with the International Academy has grown steadily over the years. The Research Centre is a regular contributor to CIRP’s scientific forums and played a particularly prominent role in 2022, when it hosted the CIRP General Assembly in Bilbao, chaired by Jokin Muñoa.