Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Fraunhofer IFAM in Stade
The Fraunhofer IFAM branch at the Research Center CFK NORD in Stade, Germany, has been offering research and development services for the sustainable machining and assembly of large lightweight structures made of various materials since 2010. Orders from the wind turbine, commercial vehicle and rail vehicle construction as well as the agricultural sector are increasingly expanding the focus of R&D activities for aircraft construction.
Process and system development up to 1:1 scale for the Smart Factory
When transferring R&D results from the laboratory or pilot plant, the “upscaling” to real production conditions is often a particularly time-consuming and cost-intensive phase. In order to reduce the resources of customers, Fraunhofer IFAM enables them to validate the step from the laboratory to a production-analog environment with real components on a 1:1 scale in its own premises and equipments. Among other things, a 4000 m2 research hall with a height of 15 m under crane hooks is available for this purpose, including many flexibly configurable large-scale research systems equipped with robots, holding fixtures and high-performance measurement technology.
Fraunhofer IFAM supports companies efficiently in a wide range of areas: from feasibility studies for processes on small to large components, through production process design and optimization, up to the development and practical testing of new technology modules. Support in the implementation of the new technology modules and processes in customer-specific production rounds off the service portfolio.
Modular automation and digitalization solutions for large lightweight structures
The range of products and services is divided into existing automation and digitalization technology modules, which can be combined into complete solutions in line with customer requirements, as well as fundamental new developments tailored to customer specifications for large-scale automation. This covers the core areas of:
- Machining
- Joining and assembly
- Digitization and networking of plant technology
- Development of precision robotics
- Measurement and referencing technology
Efficient, sustainable and ergonomic large-scale structure assembly
The challenge currently facing large-scale assembly is to combine efficiency, sustainability and ergonomic workplace design. The key principles guiding the search for solutions are “automation not at any price” and “smart solutions using sensor technology or artificial neural networks”. And: people must feel welcome and comfortable in this new working environment.
