IDONIAL was created in 2019 as a result of the merger of two technological centers, ITMA and PRODINTEC, with 28 and 14 years of experience respectively. They have joined forces to tackle new challenges and provide their clients with comprehensive and tailor-made solutions for the development of their R&D&i projects.
To this end, the center offers a wide range of technologies geared towards the needs of companies, applicable to a broad spectrum of industrial sectors. It boasts an expert and multidisciplinary team passionate about development and innovation. The center’s core competencies include the development of steels and metal alloys, biofabrication and additive manufacturing, mechatronics and digital industry, active materials, refractory materials, numerical simulation, welding and joining technologies, surfaces and coatings, metrology, and chemical and corrosion analysis.
Idonial was recently formed from the merger of two already “veteran” centers. What improvements has this union enabled, and what challenges has it allowed you to address?
Fundamentally, the merger has allowed us to integrate the entire value chain of the production process for almost any product. This way, we cover everything from the development of new materials to design and engineering for prototype creation, including calculations, material characterization, automation, digitalization, and new production processes. This integration has given us a more complete vision and the capability to approach the various challenges we face from a global perspective.
As participants in the Nelec model, what did your project involve within the model?
Our participation focused on the 3D CAD design and modeling of the driver’s cabin, as well as the fluid dynamics (CFD) design and simulation using the finite element method for the front windshield’s anti-fog system.
Drivers tell us that the driver’s cabin in this model is particularly comfortable. We understand that reading this must be gratifying for you.
Indeed it is. There is nothing more satisfying for us than when end-users are happy with our work. Ultimately, this credit is shared with Castrosua’s technical department, as no one knows the drivers’ needs better than they do. Without their input, achieving this design would not have been possible.
As you know, the Nelec model is receiving great acclaim in all areas, having been named Eco Bus of the Year 2022 and receiving the Red Dot Design Award. How do you value being part of such an appreciated project?
Being part of a team that has achieved such a high level of excellence to be recognized at this level is a huge honor and satisfaction for us. We are very proud to be part of this project and feel our client’s success as if it were our own.
Following the success of the Nelec and with our sights set on our new joint project, how do you assess the importance of incorporating R&D&i projects in the development of new models?
At Idonial, we advocate for the integration of R&D into both the production process and the final products. We believe that translating R&D results into final products is the best path for evolution and is key to providing differential value to a product compared to its competitors.
If you could predict the future and, as R&D&i experts, would you venture to tell us what buses will be like in 20 years?
That’s a difficult question, but if we had to bet, we would focus on two fundamental aspects: firstly, we believe that improved efficiency will be a characteristic seen in all means of transport, and for buses, we think it will be vitally important. We envision this materializing through the bus’s design itself, its structures, the use of new materials, new forms of propulsion and energy storage, etc. Secondly, our vision for the future is that the incorporation of greater digitalization will be decisive, linked both to the passenger and service user experience and personalization, and to fleet management, in terms of charging, range, route optimization, interaction with traffic management…
What role will Idonial play in the coming years?
As I mentioned earlier, Idonial’s competencies cover the entire production process. Therefore, we expect our role in the development of new materials, in optimizing design for product inclusion, and in the digitalization of both the production process and the bus itself, to be very significant. We firmly believe that these types of differentiating technologies are key to improving efficiency in all aspects of a product’s lifecycle, as well as adding value to it.
Grupo Castrosua thanks Idonial for this interview, and especially Daniel Álvarez, Director of Mechatronics and Digital Industry, and Armindo Guerrero, Director of Engineering, for their time and kindness. We also, of course, thank the rest of the team for their daily work at Idonial in providing solutions for the development of their R&D&i projects.
