Procada attracted by space fire test

As Procada ends its incubation period at ESA-BIC, it has achieved its goal: to build its metal 3D printer from scratch and print a demonstrator. The technical journey is over - but the space journey has just begun. Although it is on Earth that Amir Heralic wants to make a difference, he is gravitating towards the challenges of space. 

Almir Heralic and Petter Hagqvist have been involved from the start. They did their PhDs at University West on the then groundbreaking technology that forms the basis of a 3D printer with the capacity to print metal. At GKN Aerospace in Trollhättan, they saw the technology go into production for aircraft engines and more recently for the rocket nozzles on the Ariane 6 rocket. 

- We simply saw that this works. We've qualified a technology that didn't exist before for aircraft engine parts. So we felt that we wanted to start our own business and bring this technology to more industries," says Almir, mentioning the mining industry and nuclear power, among others. 

At the same time, they saw benefits in continuing to work towards the space industry. 

- And even bolder: "We could take this big 3D printer and make a smaller one that can be sent into space so that you can print things in metal," says Almir, explaining that so far there are only plastic 3D printers on the International Space Station. 

- It's a fun thing, but at the same time it's serious. Because if we get such a mission, the requirements are so strict that if we get it to work in space, the machine will work wonderfully here on Earth. 

Drawn to the challenges of space

Almir stresses that it is much more important that technology is used to solve problems on Earth than in space, where we are wasting resources and poisoning the environment. 

- "We could speed up the electrification of aircraft by using this technology to enable lighter designs. We would remove the environmental burdens and improve our everyday lives in so many ways," he says. 

But while the primary goal is change on Earth, the space sector brings a range of benefits - and challenges, which are naturally exciting for an engineer. 

- You are in a no-win situation where there are no spare parts or skilled personnel to repair or modify the equipment. It needs to be robust, flexible and fully automated," says Almir. 

Since 2019, Procada is part of Innovatum Science Park's startup incubator and the national space program ESA-BIC, which Innovatum Science Park runs together with three other incubators in Sweden. When Procada applied to ESA-BIC, they had no prior knowledge of the space sector. 

- We are technology nerds, who will try to become entrepreneurs. It has been the business approach that has been and remains the biggest challenge - not the technology, says Almir and says that the incubator at Innovatum Science Park has been a good support in business development issues. 

Tough hearing of the ESA

Procada's incubation period in ESA-BIC has been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in project cancellations. But they are far from leaving the program empty-handed. Early on, they were put in touch with experienced engineers at ESA with expertise in the technologies used by Procada. In detailed interviews, Almir and Petter were grilled.

- "At times, the questions were very tricky, but at the same time exciting and fun," Almir recalls.

ESA engineers have extensive experience in the technical requirements of the space sector. Material integrity is particularly important in space because it shakes significantly during launch. All possible defects are critical issues. 

- They are very good, so it was refreshing. They could ask questions like, "What gear do you use in bay 3?" Then you know they know how this machine works.

The exchange with ESA experts boosted confidence and, according to Almir, proved that Procada is at the cutting edge of this kind of technology.

- "ESA has given us the green flag to work with us and it has been a recognition that what we can do is actually state of the art," says Almir, who also highlights the space incubator as a good gateway to ESA and that it has opened up opportunities to apply for projects.

More and more crazy ideas in the space sector

Procada set itself the goal of building the 3D printer from scratch during its incubation period at ESA-BIC and having it produce an advanced structure, a so-called demonstrator. 

- We have just succeeded in doing so in the past few days, much thanks to support with equipment from University West. So in a way, it completes the technical journey where we show ourselves and others that the technology works," says Almir and explains that they have just sold prototypes of the measurement and control system for the 3D printer to GKN Aerospace. 

But to do sustainable business in the long run, Procada needs to put a new business model in place. Because the equipment is complex and expensive, it needs sources of income beyond direct sales of the printer, such as pay-by-use options. The challenge is to get the relatively conservative aerospace industry to open up to new arrangements. At the same time, Almir is positive about the development of the space sector, which he believes needs more innovative and fearless entrepreneurs - not just engineers.

- As space becomes more accessible to private actors, I think we will see more and more bold and crazy ideas. Business ideas are coming into play more and more, and they certainly require technology, but that can be bought. There is room for everyone. You don't have to think about launching something to the moon or going to Mars. Earth orbit offers great opportunities, for example in the development of new materials or in media and entertainment.

Published: 2022-01-10