Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology

System solutions for the sustainable, resilient and digitalized production of tomorrow

The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT develops system solutions for the sustainable, resilient and digitized production of resource-conserving products and the associated services.

We optimize new and existing methods, technologies and processes for efficient, crisis-proof and ecological production of the future, which includes climate protection and environmental compatibility in its calculations. As a partner of the manufacturing industry, we make significant contributions to the establishment of new manufacturing processes, production systems and business models through our research work.

Let us take you along on the path to "Next Generation Production" - a more climate-, environmentally- and resource-friendly production!

Next Generation Production - go with us!

Our vision of "Next Generation Production" is sustainable, resilient and digitized production that secures prosperity in society while protecting valuable resources of our planet.

Our focus: sustainability in production

Production is the enabler for making products sustainable – that's why we keep both in mind: ecological and economic criteria.

Sustainable production

Resilient into the future

Resilience is the ability to weather the storms of the business world as unscathed as possible. We are researching what companies can do to ensure that yours always finds a safe haven in projects with our industry partners.

Resilience

Digitization: enabler of green production

The benefits of digitization run through almost all value-adding processes. We use it as a toolbox for the green production of the future.

Our digitization topics

Success through scientific excellence and technological expertise

Production technology thrives on its diversity: Together with companies from different industries, we research and develop strategic approaches, organizational structures, technological processes and complex products at the limits of what is technically feasible - always with a view to feasibility in industrial implementation. We see our employees as the mainstay of our institute: with a high level of professionalism and commitment, they create the basis for leading your ideas and tasks to success.

Our offer for partners and customers

More than research and development: Find out what services you can expect from the Fraunhofer IPT for the strategic and organizational development of your company. We will be happy to inform you about how we can make your production scientifically sound and sustainably fit for the future!

Discover our service offer

Industries in focus

Knowledge and experience for our partners:

Research and development for industry

Production lives through technology: The Fraunhofer IPT not only conducts research on almost all current production technologies and manufacturing processes, but is also considered a pioneer in the development of completely new production methods and digitized processes. Explore here which topics we are currently working on particularly intensively!

Discover technologies

The recipe for success: Our employees

We regard the promotion and education of young scientists as one of our main tasks.

Jobs and career

14.9.2023

Fraunhofer IPT conducts research into automated series production of optics with new glass press

The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen has expanded its machinery with a new system for the automated molding of high-precision optical glass components. As a result, the institute is now the only research institution in Europe able to offer research on efficient small-series production of small glass optics using a wafer-level approach. Large individual optics with a diameter of up to 150 millimeters can also be manufactured with the facility.

more info

19.7.2023

Fraunhofer study report on cybersecurity, digital twins and sustainability in production

How can digital methods be used to redesign and optimize existing production processes? For many companies, it is unclear how they can use Industry 4.0 technologies to their advantage. The current study report by the "International Center for Networked, Adaptive Production ICNAP" offers insights into the implementation of digitalization technologies in industry. This free study report provides a comprehensive overview of practical research on topics such as data security, sustainability and digital twins and is now available to download.

more info

28.6.2023

Unwinding in high quality: Continuously detached and recycled thermoplastic carbon fiber tapes with a new recycling approach

The sales market for plastic products is growing. At the same time, however, the environmental impact of non-degradable plastics is increasing and requires new recycling strategies. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen, researchers have developed a novel recycling process to recover the fiber composite material of used pressure tanks in a peeling process and reuse it for new lightweight products. The aim is to recycle fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) without any significant loss of product quality. The Fraunhofer team has now succeeded in doing so in the "Tankcycling" research project: Over 90 percent of the mechanical strength properties are retained in the recycled material.

more info

21.6.2023

Fraunhofer flagship project "EVOLOPRO": Evolution of production technology

How does nature undergo evolutionary adaptations, and what can production technology learn from nature to develop more flexible processes? Researchers from seven Fraunhofer Institutes have analyzed various elements of flexibility and self-adaptation in the Fraunhofer flagship project "EVOLOPRO" and applied them to the manufacturing of complex components. The research team has thus laid the foundation for a new generation of production systems in the form of a "Biological Manufacturing System."

more info

Online / September 26, 2023

In 7 steps to a successful AI implementation

Learn to identify AI use cases, to implement AI projects, and to successfully deploy and certify AI systems into production.

More Information

Fair / September 13–14, 2023

hy-fcell

Meet us at the hy-fcell
Stuttgart, Germany
Hall 2, Booth 2F17

Online Seminar / October 10, 2023

Quality control of miniaturized lenses

Gain insight into quality control techniques such as optical measurements, surface analysis and performance testing.

More Information

Further events and dates

We offer interested parties from science and industry the opportunity to get to know us and our research work at trade fairs, conferences, seminars and workshops.

More Information