DFactory Barcelona, a project of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, operates as a living space where Industry 4.0 develops in real time. Designed to connect companies, technology centers, and talent, the hub fosters collaboration and turns knowledge into concrete applications within an open and highly technological environment.
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In this ecosystem, innovation translates into projects that cross sectors and disciplines. Health occupies a prominent place, with initiatives that integrate robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence, among other cutting-edge technologies, to redefine clinical processes and open new paths in diagnosis and treatment.
DFactory occupies a 17,000 m2 building where 44 companies (67% SMEs) have been installed and 63 patents have been developed. A second phase is currently under construction, which will add another 40,000 m2. With the support of CZFB, DFactory has become a meeting point between technology and real needs, with tangible results in different fields, such as health.
Below are four companies that exemplify this impact, as well as a collaborative project developed jointly by three companies from the hub, illustrating the potential of synergies within this ecosystem.
RobSurgical: Accessible precision surgery
The Catalan company RobSurgical works to democratize robotic surgery. Born as a spin-off of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and the Institut de Bioingenieria de Catalunya (IBEC), it designs, develops, and markets surgical robotic systems that facilitate minimally invasive interventions with greater precision and safety. Its flagship product is Bitrack System, a surgical robot that improves efficiency and usability in the operating room. Its presence at DFactory strengthens the connection with specialized talent and other technological players, key aspects to accelerate clinical development and its international expansion.
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Generating synergies and solutions with social impact
DFactory’s ability to generate synergies is evident in collaborative projects such as the development of pediatric ventilators driven by SiOCAST, SHINING 3D, and Leitat. This initiative combines industrial knowledge, 3D technology, and applied research to respond to a specific healthcare need. Leitat provides the scientific basis, with specialized laboratories in robotics, 3D printing, and IoT.
SHINING 3D adds its experience in digitization and additive manufacturing, while SiOCAST contributes with its production capacity. The result is a good example of how cooperation accelerates innovation and generates solutions with social impact.
Excelencia-Tech: Training in real environments
Excelencia-Tech brings 3D printing to the heart of medical training. The company reproduces surgical environments and anatomical structures – bone, tissue – with a high degree of realism, allowing the preparation of complex interventions with greater safety. This technology improves surgical planning and reduces risks, as medical teams can rehearse procedures before entering the operating room. At DFactory, it can showcase the five 3D printing technologies it has, while allowing it to be at the forefront of the sector and a global reference.
Shining 3D Dental: Integrated digital dentistry
SHINING 3D Dental has consolidated a complete ecosystem based on scanning, design, and 3D printing. Its solutions connect clinic and laboratory in a continuous digital flow, with greater precision and efficiency. With strong investment in R&D and nearly 600 patents, the company promotes more personalized and agile dentistry. Its deployment at DFactory shows in real time the potential of 3D digitization and allows collaboration with other agents in the health and industrial sectors.
VDM Health: Remote and personalized medicine
VDM Health bets on the digitization of medical care. It offers AI solutions that provide remote health services, with tools that facilitate patient monitoring and clinical decision-making. This model responds to a growing demand for more accessible and efficient healthcare services. The DFactory environment enhances integration with other technologies and opens the door to new developments in telemedicine and personalized medicine.
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