CENTIMFE - Technological Center for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and Plastic Industries
CENTIMFE - Technological Center for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and Plastic Industries

Overview

CENTIMFE, the Technological Center for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and Plastic Industries, is a Portuguese non-profit organization whose main goal is to support the technological development of the mould and plastic sectors in Portugal. Founded in 1991, it currently has around 200 associates - including companies and public institutions, being 30% of its members from the public sector and 70% from the private sector. CENTIMFE is located at the Center Region of Portugal, in Marinha Grande city.

CENTIMFE’s mission is to position itself as an interface to support the development of the Moulds, Special Tools and Plastic industries, through interaction with companies in these sectors in their different functions, acting as a technology transfer link between the Scientific and Technological System, of which it is an integral part, and the Companies, within the framework of the Competitiveness and Technology Hub Engineering & Tooling, of which is an anchor partner.

CENTIMFE as currently around 50 workers… CENTIMFE is equipped with the most advanced technologies used within the Tooling Industry, such as 3 axis and 5 axis milling machining, EDM and WEDM machining, injection moulding machine, measuring devices and equipment for quality control. Also, CENTIMFE is equipped with the most recent software applied on product development, namely CAD and CAE. The specific equipment held is listed as follows:

CAD/CAM software: SolidWorks, CATIA, CIMATRON, Unigraphics, MasterCam.
Computer simulation software and life cycle analysis (Ansys and Simapro).
Subtractive Manufacturing: 5 axis Milling High Speed Milling from DMG model HSC 55; 3 axis CNC milling Machine from Makino model V55; 3 axis CNC milling machines from OKK model VB53; Turning Center from Mori Seiki model MV 40; Laser marking machine ROFIN RS Marker 100D; Sinking EDM from Agietron model 3U; Wire EDM from Agiecut model 250.
Additive Manufacturing: 3D Systems Spro 60 HD-HS – Selective Laser Sintering; 3D Systems SLS 2500 – Selective Laser Sintering …. CENTIMFE offers a wide range of services to their associates, but not limited to them. Although the focus are companies from the Engineering and Tooling Cluster, many services are provided to companies from related sectors as plastic and metallomechanics, among others. The main CENTIMFE’s services are:

Development and Engineering (Design, Simulations, Prototyping, CE Marking)
Industrialization and Production (Checking fixtures, Handling systems, End of harm tooling, Production support equipment)
Machining and Small Series (Machining, Injection Moulding, 3D Printing, Laser engraving)
Industrial Metrology (Calibration, Tests, Dimensional Control)
Business Innovation and Funding (Project Management, Proposals preparation, Tax incentives, Entrepreneurship, Management Consulting)
Management Systems (Consulting and Audits: Quality & Environment, Safety at Work and RDI)
Lean Tools and Sustainability (Process mapping, 5S methodology, Visual management, SMED)
Safety at work (External services for…. Yes. service.