SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 24 (SeeNews) – Macedonian composite machines manufacturer Mikrosam AD is developing two innovative technologies targeting the aerospace sector and wind power generation, the company’s marketing manager Dimitar Bogdanoski said.
The first one is an automated fiber and tape placement machine, used mostly for production of components for the aerospace industry. It is currently being manufactured only in three other countries, Bogdanoski told SeeNews in an interview.
Mikrosam has developed independently this very complex machine and its software for designing of composite structures that was promoted in the prestigious JEC Composites fair held in Paris, France in April. The software was awarded top estimates by specialized magazines and industry experts, Bogdanoski said.
Only a U.S.-based company provides such an independent software besides Mikrosam, he added.
Bogdanoski said that Mikrosam also works on an automated machine for production of windmill rotor blades, a technology completely unique on the world market that will enable standardization, uniformity and high quality of the blades that form the propeller of a wind turbine. The issue was highlighted when wind energy producers were faced with blades breaking due to non-standard production. Only two or three other companies work on developing technologies that ensure standartization of the manufacturing process, according to Bogdanoski.
Mikrosam launched this project five years ago and hopes to start selling the machines for making windmill rotor blades next year.
“With its concept and production programme, Mikrosam definitely is a unique company in the broader context,” Bogdanoski said.
This is proved by the fact that Mikrosam has already developed machines for production of components for a new generations of satellites that have been already purchased by one of the biggest Russian satellite producer, Information Satellite Systems (ISS).
The client, satisfied with the performance of the delivered equipment, announced that components of the new generation of satellites will be produced by Macedonian-made machines. Mikrosam has also developed a very specific software particularly for the Russian company for manufacturing of very complex components.
"This is one of the most important projects developed by Mikrosam that will bring Macedonia in touch with space technology,” Bogdanoski said.
Information Satellite Systems - Reshetnev Company (ISS) said in August it has bought equipment from Mikrosam that will ensure high precision and quality production. Due to the unique equipment, many satellite elements can be replaced with lighter ones, the Russian company said on its website. ISS said it has designed, manufactured and launched some 50 different types of satellites.
Mikrosam also exports its products to China, Japan, Turkey and EU member states.
Considering that the core of Mikrosam's production is equipment for manufacturing of composites used in aircraft, space machines, automotive and chemical industry, gas and oil transportation as well as water supply, the company's markets are countries where these industries are highly developed, said Bogdanoski.
Mikrosam’s advanced movement and process control technologies are also used in some local industries: metal cutting with plasma and oxygen, processing of wood, plastics and aluminum, production of advertising boards, as well as furniture and marble industry.
Bogdanoski said that Mikrosam has provided machines for local companies that previously spent foreign currency to purchase them from the EU countries. “We are particularly proud that our machines enabled development of over 20 small companies in Macedonia.”
He said the company invests continually in researching and developing of new machines, equipment and technologies.
"Currently, I could not say exactly how much money were invested, but the good indicator of our commitment is that Mikrosam has developed over 20 new types of machines and over seven software packages for those machines in the period 2000-2009," Bogdanoski said.
Additionally, Mikrosam, in consortium of nine companies and institutes from the European Union (EU) in September concluded the FutureBridge research project within the European Commission’s FP6 programme aimed at developing of composites components for the bridge construction industry.
Now, a consortium of 20 companies and institutes, including Mikrosam, was awarded a four-year project within the EU’s FP7 programme, where it is assigned the creation of a prototype machine for production of composites components for civil engineering.
FP6 and FP7 framework programmes cover research and technological development activities and are aimed at encouraging international competitiveness.
Apart from the EU co-funded projects within the FP6 and FP7 programmes, all other Mikrosam’s development ventures are financed from its own resources. The company has never been financialy supported for its projects by the state in the last 19 years of its existence despite all efforts it has made, Bogdanoski said.
Mikrosam in February got approval from the Education and Science Ministry to set up the first privately-held Institute for Advanced Composite and Robotics in Macedonia aimed at expanding the company’s scientific research and establishing cooperation with international scientific institutes.
The company also runs training courses for talented young people in its Mikrosam Academy.
Based in the city of Prilep, in central Macedonia, Mikrosam (www.mikrosam.com) was set up in 1990. Currently it has some 60 employees, of which 25 engineers, three masters and two doctors of sciences.