Expertise from 16 institutes (www.polyformnext.de)
Lightweight construction: Fraunhofer links material development and industrial application
Fraunhofer IWU has been coordinating the research field of lightweight construction since 2025 and bundles the expertise of 16 institutes into an interdisciplinary platform along the entire value chain. The aim is to efficiently transfer integrated lightweight construction solutions into practice, from material development to industrial application.
read more...Automation paths (www.polyformnext.de)
The path to automation in SMEs
Automation relieves skilled workers of secondary tasks and strengthens value-adding core processes: The Fraunhofer IWU has developed a method that identifies a wide range of individual automation paths - from quick wins to the sustainable redesign of existing plant technology.
read more...Automation paths (www.industrial-production.de)
The path to automation in SMEs
Automation relieves skilled workers of secondary tasks and strengthens value-adding core processes: The Fraunhofer IWU has developed a method that identifies a wide range of individual automation paths - from quick wins to the sustainable redesign of existing plant technology.
read more...Innovative materials (www.industrial-production.de)
Metal foam and PFAS replacement improve environmental balance
Metal foam contains up to 90 percent air and has amazing properties. In the factory, it ensures greater sustainability and helps to improve the environmental balance in industrial production.
read more...Fraunhofer IWU (www.polyformnext.de)
Printing individual wire harnesses in the automotive plant
Fraunhofer IWU's Wire/Fiber Encapsulating Additive Manufacturing (WEAM/FEAM) and Automated Cable Assembly (AuCA) processes can be used to apply cables, optical fibers and sensors directly to components. These technologies open up new possibilities for efficient and flexible production in various industrial sectors.
read more...New research center (www.industrial-production.de)
Foundation stone laid for "Cognitive Production Systems" at Fraunhofer IWU Dresden
With the new research center for cognitive production systems, the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU is intensifying its activities in a key future field: adaptable, self-controlling production that learns from humans.
read more...Foundation stone laid at Fraunhofer IWU... (www.polyformnext.de)
New research center for cognitive production systems
With the new research center for cognitive production systems, the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU is intensifying its activities in a field of the future: adaptable, self-controlling production that learns from humans.
read more...Circular economy (www.polyformnext.de)
Conserving resources and developing new business models
Designing products for a long service life, making them easy to repair, converting them into new products - closed material cycles minimize the consumption of raw materials and, in particular, give end-of-life products another life after the longest possible service life. In several research projects, the Fraunhofer IWU is developing solutions that cover the entire value chain from development, production and dismantling to refurbishment or conversion.
read more...Matrix production and SWAP-IT (www.industrial-production.de)
Opportunity for SMEs in times of skills shortage
Utilization-optimized, flexibly arranged production modules that are loaded by driverless transport systems and production planning and control that flexibly occupy these modules: Matrix production and SWAP-IT result in a production infrastructure that enables highly efficient production.
read more...Fraunhofer IWU (www.polyformnext.de)
Research and production? Women's business!
Women in STEM professions are urgently needed in business and science. Fraunhofer IWU believes it is high time to make these professions more attractive for women through targeted support.
read more...Fraunhofer IWU (www.industrial-production.de)
Prof. Dr. Martin Dix becomes Institute Director
The Fraunhofer IWU has been under the direction of Prof. Dr. Martin Dix since October. At the same time, he takes over the professorship for production systems and processes at Chemnitz University of Technology.
read more...RoboValley Dresden (www.industrial-production.de)
Automating production robots in SMEs
Today, robotic automation is the means of choice to meet the desire for increased efficiency and to counter the shortage of skilled workers.
read more...MRK (www.industrial-production.de)
Robots recognize gestures and facial expressions
The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology has developed a technology that makes working with large robots more intuitive. It enables robots to recognize gestures, faces and body postures.
read more...Additive manufacturing (www.industrial-production.de)
A new era of high-volume 3D printing
At the Rapid.Tech and FabCon 3.D trade fair duo, the Fraunhofer Generative Manufacturing Alliance will be presenting a newly developed printer driver that makes it possible to start printing complex and large 3D models within seconds.
read more...Project Amareto (www.polyformnext.de)
Saxony pools research expertise
Universities receive start-up funding for joint project. The state of Saxony is providing 5.5 million euros for a joint research project between three technical universities and a Fraunhofer Institute.
read more...Lightweight car construction (www.polyformnext.de)
Hybrids made of fiber thermoplastic and metal for the series
A process that combines metallic and thermoplastic components to create lightweight structures is aimed at large-scale production. This is based on special thermoplastic tapes.
read more...