Dr Conor Mow-Lowry

Controls co-design for the Einstein Telescope: Combining fast mechanical simulations with robust
optimisers

The Einstein Telescope requires extreme vibration isolation in order to achieve its science goals. To
break through the ‘seismic wall’ that drowns out the low-frequency gravitational-wave signal in
existing observatories (LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA), the Einstein Telescope needs a new and more
sophisticated approach for designing the vibration isolation systems. At Nikhef we have been a
developing a toolbox for achieving real controls co-design of the Einstein Telescope’s suspension
systems. The extreme dynamic range of these systems requires novel approaches to traditional
controller synthesis methods (H2 and H-infinity) in combination of fast mechanical simulation. I will
present Nikhef’s work on the controls co-design problem along with a brief overview of the wider
suspension development program.

Conor Mow-Lowry is an Associate Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Nikhef. He
develops new instrumentation to enable the Einstein Telescope to reach its low-frequency sensitivity,
allowing observations of heavier objects deep in cosmological time. Mow-Lowry has developed
compact interferometric sensors that are seen by the community as a necessity for all future
gravitational-wave detectors. The ERC-funded OmniSens project is developing an interferometric
isolator that is the de facto baseline active isolation system for future observatories. His previous
work has covered many important aspects of gravitational-wave observatory performance, including
quantum noise, controls, and vibration isolation. This places him in an ideal position for his current
role, leading the “Active Noise Mitigation” division of the Einstein Telescope that focuses on
addressing complex noise couplings at the design stage.

Dr. Oier Franco

Active vibration control in large scale machine tools

This keynote examines the evolution of active vibration control from a research concept into
a transformative industrial technology for advanced manufacturing. Drawing on nearly two decades of
developments, the presentation explores how the integration of advanced actuators, sensors and
control algorithms is redefining the dynamic performance limits of large-scale machine tools.
Particular attention is given to the suppression of chatter vibrations, one of the most persistent barriers
to productivity, process stability, and surface quality, through active damping solutions successfully
deployed in large machine tools, grinding systems, robotic machining platforms and boring
applications. Beyond chatter mitigation, the presentation highlights emerging strategies that exploit
feed-drive control, virtual vibration absorbers and feedforward compensation to improve accuracy,
reduce forced vibrations and enable more aggressive machining conditions without compromising part
quality. Combining fundamental insights in structural dynamics, control engineering and machine
design with proven industrial implementations, the presentation demonstrates how active vibration
control is becoming a key enabling technology for the next generation of high-performance
manufacturing systems and outlines future opportunities for smarter, faster and more precise
production environments.

Dr. Oier Franco is a researcher specializing in machine tool dynamics, precision
mechatronics and control engineering for advanced manufacturing systems. His work addresses the
challenges of improving machining performance through the integration of structural dynamics, feed
drive control and vibration mitigation technologies. Over the course of his career, he has contributed to
numerous European and industrial research initiatives, advancing the development of high
performance machine tools and intelligent manufacturing solutions. His expertise spans machine tool
dynamics, motion control and mechatronic system design, with a particular emphasis on translating
scientific research into industrial innovation. Through his work, he has supported the development of
next-generation manufacturing platforms capable of achieving higher levels of precision, productivity
and process stability.

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