Madrid-based SME providing infrared imaging sensors and real-time monitoring systems for laser-based and additive manufacturing processes.
NIT develops infrared imaging sensors and multispectral cameras purpose-built for real-time industrial process monitoring. Their core technology enables closed-loop control of laser-based manufacturing — from welding and additive manufacturing to surface texturing — by providing thermal and spectral feedback during production. They supply sensing hardware and embedded control algorithms that allow manufacturing lines to detect defects, adjust parameters, and certify quality in real time. As a specialist SME, they integrate their IR imaging technology into larger production systems designed by consortium partners.
Core technology across MAShES (snapshot multispectral imaging), SEERS (spectral IR surveillance), FLAIR (ultra-broadband IR sensor), ambliFibre (active thermography), CUSTODIAN (beam shaping), and LAMPAS.
MAShES focused on cognitive closed-loop laser control; ambliFibre on adaptive model-based control for tape winding; INTEGRADDE and CUSTODIAN on monitoring laser-based metal manufacturing.
INTEGRADDE (certified metal parts via DED), CUSTODIAN (defect-free laser manufacturing), and imPURE (injection moulding repurposing with AM).
LAMPAS (high-throughput ultrashort pulsed laser structuring) and ComMUnion (laser surface texturing for multi-material joining).
DIMOFAC (plug-and-produce modular factories with digital twins) and INTEGRADDE (end-to-end cybersecured digital pipeline).
In 2014–2018, NIT focused on building and validating their infrared sensing technology: snapshot multispectral imaging, active thermography, and embedded control for monitoring laser and composite manufacturing processes (MAShES, SEERS, ambliFibre, FlexHyJoin). From 2018 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applying this sensing capability to additive manufacturing, high-power laser processing, and digitally integrated production lines (INTEGRADDE, CUSTODIAN, LAMPAS, DIMOFAC). The trajectory shows a company that matured from sensor development into becoming a process intelligence provider for advanced manufacturing.
NIT is moving from standalone sensing hardware toward integrated digital manufacturing intelligence — expect them to bring IR-based quality monitoring into Industry 4.0 and digital twin environments.
NIT operates exclusively as a specialist participant, never as coordinator, which is typical of a technology SME contributing a defined component (IR sensors and monitoring algorithms) to larger manufacturing research consortia. With 137 unique partners across 20 countries from 11 projects, they are remarkably well-networked for their size — they rarely repeat the same consortium, indicating broad demand for their niche capability. Working with NIT means getting a focused sensor technology partner, not a project management lead.
NIT has collaborated with 137 different partners across 20 countries, an exceptionally wide network for an SME with 11 projects. Their partnerships span Western and Northern Europe, with strong connections to manufacturing and photonics research clusters.
NIT occupies a rare niche at the intersection of infrared imaging and industrial process control — most IR companies focus on defense or surveillance, while NIT has built deep expertise applying spectral imaging to manufacturing. Their sensor technology is process-agnostic: it has been validated for laser welding, additive manufacturing, composite tape winding, and surface texturing, making them a versatile monitoring partner for almost any thermal manufacturing process. For consortium builders, NIT brings a ready-made sensing and control package that can be adapted to new manufacturing domains without starting from scratch.
