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Fab Lab Frosinone took part in an international Erasmus+ mobility focused on advanced digital manufacturing, new materials, and sustainable production systems, with activities carried out between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. The experience was designed to create direct connections between worlds that often interact too little, industry, academic research, and maker experimentation, by establishing common ground based on real case studies, operational technologies, and concrete processes.
The mobility had a deliberately pragmatic approach. The objective was not to observe from the outside, but to understand how emerging technologies are actually used in industrial and research contexts, what the material and production constraints are, and how robotics, 3D printing, and digital fabrication are evolving toward scalable and sustainable solutions.
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During the visits, the group met leading industrial and technological organizations, including WASP, RevoPoint, and CEAD, as well as LATI Industria Termoplastici and the collective La Macchina, known for experimental projects that integrate computational design and digital fabrication, such as a bench produced through robotic processes. The activities focused on the use of robotic arm–based 3D printing systems for thermoplastics, high-precision 3D scanning, and the application of advanced technical materials in real industrial contexts. The discussions were direct and unfiltered, addressing process issues, costs, reliability, and industrialization head-on.
The first day was dedicated to attending Formnext, one of the leading international events in additive manufacturing. Within the fair, the group took part in the BE-AM Symposium organized by TU Darmstadt, which brought together several European universities of architecture and engineering. The presentations showcased research on new materials, emerging fabrication technologies, and experimental approaches combining sustainability, digital design, and production. Particularly noteworthy was the presentation of an innovative material derived from organic waste, such as bovine manure, an emblematic example of how materials research is exploring unconventional yet technically robust paths to address environmental challenges.
The second day took place at the laboratories of TU Darmstadt, with an in-depth visit to the research infrastructure. Here, participants were able to closely observe ceramic 3D printing systems used to study material behavior and process constraints, as well as robotic solutions dedicated to the automated acquisition of dimensional and geometric information on modular objects, aimed at automatic assembly. The visit also included CNC machines for wood processing and a laboratory dedicated to concrete experimentation, where digital construction techniques are applied to traditional materials in an innovative way.
Overall, the mobility clearly demonstrated how robotics, sensing, and digital fabrication are converging toward integrated production systems in which design, data acquisition, and manufacturing interact in real time. This represents a crucial step beyond simple prototyping, moving toward mature industrial models.
This Erasmus+ experience strengthened Fab Lab Frosinone’s position within the European innovation network, providing advanced skills, strategic contacts, and concrete input for the development of new workshops, training activities, and international collaborations. A path consistent with the Fab Lab’s vision, where innovation does not remain theory, but becomes practice, method, and real impact.
All mobility expenses were covered by the Erasmus+ program, making the experience accessible and inclusive for the selected participants.
