Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Dix has been appointed Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU. Since October 1, he has been responsible for the scientific field of "Machine Tools, Production Systems and Machining Technology". At the same time, Professor Dix will also take over the professorship for "Production Systems and Processes" at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology.

The Managing Director of Fraunhofer IWU, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Welf-Guntram Drossel, emphasizes the importance of the scientific field of "Machine Tools, Production Systems and Machining Technology": "Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dix is thus taking over a division of the institute with around 130 employees, which has significantly shaped the DNA of Fraunhofer IWU and was very successfully managed by Prof. Dr.-Ing.

Using the synergies of the dual role

In his dual role, Dix intends to utilize synergies and further develop the respective profiles of both the professorship and the Fraunhofer IWU. He intends to focus on shaping production processes, in particular metalworking and the associated systems and tools. "Thanks to my research activities at Chemnitz University of Technology, I know the local science and transfer environment very well. Combined with the great experience I have gained in recent years at a young and innovative company in the field of measurement technology, I would like to combine fundamental research at the university with application-oriented research in the non-university sector in order to accompany new technologies through to application," says Dix. He also wants to use the university's excellent infrastructure to provide more support for start-ups and thus promote the location in the long term.

Martin Dix also sees a further focus of research at his professorship and the science department in the core competence "People and Technology" at Chemnitz University of Technology, which is the decisive factor in efficient and flexible production. Here, he will drive forward the development of new inclusion technologies so that the increasingly complex production systems can also be fully controlled by lateral entrants. Overall, Dix is "particularly pleased to be returning to the location", because: "Chemnitz and the region are characterized by a historic entrepreneurial spirit, for example in mechanical engineering. I would like to help lead the location back to the top."