Research group CATMech is formed in the area of mechanical engineering

13/11/2020

A new UPC research group called CATMech has been formed by merging the Fluid Power Systems Laboratory (LABSON), the Acoustic and Mechanical Engineering Laboratory (LEAM), and the Laboratory for Technological Innovation in Structures and Materials (LITEM). The three laboratories have extensive experience in industry-focused technological innovation in different areas of mechanical engineering.

In Catalonia, technological innovation in mechanical engineering now has a new research, development and innovation group, with TECNIO accreditation from the Government of Catalonia. The group will generate new knowledge and transfer the results of its research activity to the industrial sector in the area of machinery, fluid power and pneumatic systems, acoustics and vibrations, engineering materials and structures.

The CATMech group was established to serve companies by transferring to the production sector its technological innovation activity through Catalan, Spanish or European projects and bilateral agreements with companies that need to improve their competitiveness through research, development and innovation. Its mission is to provide more competitive, broader solutions for industry, a stable flow of excellent research based on the analysis and modelling of physical phenomena, and experimentation within mechanical engineering that guarantees continuity and competitiveness in the long term. Its goal is also to maximise the potential of the CATMech group.

CatMech has versatile, cutting-edge facilities and can carry out all types of trials with installed power ranging from 18.5 kW (6000 rpm) to 120 kW (3000 rpm), which provides great flexibility and adaptation to customers’ needs. CATMech has the capacity to create new test plants and to carry out trials on-site, to perform static and dynamic low-frequency destructive trials with loads ranging from 250 kN to 10 kN, and non-destructive trials.

The presentation of the new CATMech research group was held on Wednesday 11 November and was attended by Francisco Torres, rector of the UPC, Xavier Roca, director of ESEIAAT, Esteve Codina, director of CATMech; Pedro Javier Gámez, Lluís Gil and Jordi Romeu, area directors of CATMech; and Jordi Berenguer, UPC Vice-Rector for Knowledge Transfer and Innovation.