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Additive manufacturing with recycled material? Both equipment manufacturers and end users place high demands on powder quality. Research projects at Fraunhofer IPK show that these can be met with solutions beyond conventional processes.

Is your refrigerator or washing machine broken? Our researchers are developing an assistance system to determine whether a repair is worthwhile or if the appliances need to be recycled.

By combining Scangineering and additive repair technologies, tools or components can be repaired automatically – an exciting field of application for the reverse engineering technology made by Fraunhofer IPK.

With simulation models, products can be better analyzed and developments predicted. A research team has developed an AI-based decision support system which increases proess efficiency.

From the physical object to the point cloud and finally the CAD model – reverse engineering means a great deal of work. A team from Fraunhofer IPK aims to change that with an AI solution.

Existing buildings are responsible for one third of all carbon emissions in Germany. In order to renovate them efficiently on the basis of 3D models, the Scangineering process is being adapted.

The Green Deal, the EU Action Plan for the Circular Economy, and the Ecodesign Regulation – for policymakers, the transition to a circular economy is a done deal. But this transformation requires expertise. How can SMEs adapt to it?

Ultra-precision machining is the ultimate in manufacturing technology – it hardly gets any more accurate than this.

When it comes to mRNA vaccines or nanoemulsions, tiny differences in the mixing process determine efficacy and costs. FDmiX demonstrates how laboratory and production scale can be combined without compromising quality.

There are many paths to circularity. Researchers at Fraunhofer IPK use simple metrics to show which approaches are truly suitable for a company.

Imagine a tiny bacterium turning old frying oil into plastic – and not just any plastic, but a type that doesn’t harm the environment. Sound like magic? It’s not! At Fraunhofer IPK, researchers are working with just such a bacterium. Its name: Tori.

Why the circular economy must be part of Germany’s strategic response to the multi-crisis.

Interoperability and collaboration – according to Dr. Angelina Marko of ZVEI e. V., these are the cornerstones of a functioning circular economy. In her guest article, she shares insights from industrial practice.

No matter how much political will there is, the implementation of the circular economy ultimately rests with businesses. We spoke with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stephan Ramesohl, co-director of the Digital Transformation Research Unit at the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH, about what businesses need to make this happen and how they stand to benefit.

As part of ReTraNetz-BB, concepts are being developed to apply circular economy to electric motors in electric vehicles.

Vehicle dismantling is a fundamental prerequisite for the circular economy, especially in Germany, the home of the automobile. Digitalizing and ultimately automating this process could take us a giant step forward on the path to circularity. In conversation with FUTUR, Sophie-Odette Hohlfeld (LRP Autorecycling), Olaf Uhlig (Smoods GmbH), Janine Mügge, and Dr.-Ing. Jan Kuschan (both Fraunhofer IPK) describe how they are moving closer to this vision.

The climate-friendly transformation of industry is not a »nice to have« – it’s a competitive factor. But what happens when all the light bulbs have been replaced and obvious measures have been exhausted? Digital twins guide the way.

Many machining companies face the same dilemma. They collect process data during production, yet expertise for contextualizing and evaluating it is often missing. Triggered sensors can help.

Machine tools are no longer sold solely based on performance. They also score points for their economical energy consumption and intelligent networking. In an interview with FUTUR, Alfred Geißler, CEO of DMG MORI AG, explains what his customers expect from modern plant technology.

How much autonomy can factories tolerate – and how can we ensure good working conditions in Germany?