Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhofer IWU)
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (Fraunhofer IWU)

Germany: Saxony

Overview

As a leading institute for resource-efficient production within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, with over 600 staff members, Fraunhofer IWU is an important R&D partner for the automotive/ vehicle, machine tool and mechanical engineering industries. Strong collaborations with European stakeholders are in:

Manufacturing processes such as forming, joining, machining (cutting) including machine tools and automation
Additive manufacturing
Acoustical solutions for industry
Lightweight design (metal foam, fibres, sheet metals)
Functional surfaces and micro manufacturing

Innovation at Fraunhofer IWU is grouped into three areas:

 Mechatronics and Lightweight Structures including

Adaptronics and acoustics
Medical engineering
Additive manufacturing
Functionally-integrated lightweight structures
Functional textiles
Applied polymers/plastics processing

Forming and Joining Technologies including

Sheet metal forming
Hydroforming
Hot bulk metal forming
… Forming machine tools

Clutch-controlled screw press
Die rolling machine
Cross rolling machine
Spin extrusion machine
Several hydraulic presses with press forces ranging from 50 kN to 16,000 kN
Two hydroforming presses (4,000 bar; press force: 15,000/50,000 kN)
Profile rolling machines
Rotary swaging machine
Pulsed power generator for electromagnetic forming
Precision forming machines for micro hot embossing
Testing station for high speed micro-forming

Machine tool thermal behaviour testing equipment (including a thermal cell to generate defined variable ambient conditions)

Additive Manufacturing: Laser Beam Melting

Several laser beam melting systems  

Robotics and assembly engineering

Car body construction plant for assembling car doors including different robot clamping fixtures
HRI experimenting platform including different heavy-duty KUKA robots  

Production Management/ Factory Planning

Laser scanner for 2D/3D detection of building outlines….
Innovation Services
Access to newest knowledge and technologies with expertise in solving industry problems
Applied research experts
Skills training and workshops for companies
Technology and process optimisation
Technology and knowledge transfer
Prototype development
Iterative and participative design

. Yes. service.

Sectors
Aeronautics & space - Automotive - Energy - Environment - Electronics - Healthcare - Machinery - Textiles
Technology
Smart Manufacturing / Industry 4.0 - Robotics / Human machine interaction - Process industry (processing of novel materials, structures, etc.) - Monitoring and control - Additive manufacturing - High-performance production (flexibility, productivity, precision and zero defect) - High-performance, high precision processing - Intelligent/ sensor-based equipment - Environmental materials (e.g. recycling, recourse efficiency, less impact, CO2 capture/ utilisation) - High performance materials (strong, light weight, resistant) - Smart and multifunctional materials (incl. phase change, shape memory, self-healing, self-manufacturing) - Surface engineering and coatings
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