Projects at a glance – Research and Development for Industry

BabyLux - An Optical Neuro-Monitor of Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism and Blood Flow for Neonatology - is a project that aims to provide an innovative and reliable tool to monitor and assess brain blood flow and oxygenation in extremely preterm neonates.

The objectives of the project are the realization of the mold venting by functional microstructures placed in the parting plane of the mold and the further development of an existing simulation software, which then allows an application oriented design of the venting structures.

In the project "FlexiSTAT" the technology of simultaneous three axis turning was developed. Simultaneous three axis turning is a modification of conventional turning where the tool is moved in a third rotational (B) axis besides the already existing translational (X, Z) axes.

The key to success in the development of efficient production chains in optics lies in forming the component directly from a liquid glass drop. The CENTiMO project starts with a detailed analysis of the melting, portioning, and forming process. On this basis, the project partners can develop further processes to form the glass blanks directly into glass optics. At the same time, the shaping processes need to be further developed: New materials need to be tested to improve the quality of the pressed components and extend their service life.

The main goals of the project include the transmission of knowledge about energy and resource efficiency and suitable, structured and innovative methods to visualize, analyze and improve technical and organizational processes on the shop floor in the manufacturing industry.

"EasyForm" was initiated with the aim of transferring the advantages of laser-assisted metal spinning to industrial applications. Within this project, the Fraunhofer IPT will develop the forming process and the associated system technology in collaboration with the Austrian Materials Center Leoben GmbH research facility and four companies from various European countries.

The challenges in machining these thin-walled components include dynamic excitation due to tool engagement, static workpiece deflection due to milling forces, and deformation due to clamping forces due to their low stiffnesses. To address this issue in the future, DynaMill aims to fully control the milling of thin-walled components. This is made possible by a three-module approach, which includes the development of process planning, adaptive clamping systems and improved process control. The three developed modules are finally integrated into one machining platform, forming the DynaMill technology.

The core innovation of "KOBOLD" includes a solution for a transferable knowledge-based methodology for the transparent acquisition, analysis and derivation of multi-dimensional parameter interdependencies and optimisation potentials of main process specific parameters in milling.

The aim of the project is to substitute aluminum for steel as the material used to manufacture injection molding tools and dies for small batch manufacture of premium-quality plastic parts. For this the project partners develop a process chain to modify the Aluminum molds and inserts by a combined laser surface treatment to achieve prolong lifetimes.

The international project "ReqMech" is carried out by the Fraunhofer IPT and the Fraunhofer FOKUS alongside with the Belgium research association Sirris and 23 industrial partners. Within "ReqMech", the consortium aims to develop a requirements engineering framework that enhances the development process of mechatronic products for SME.