Press releases

Even if the central concern of digitally integrated production or Industry 4.0 is networking industrial systems – the individual machine remains a central focus point of optimization. The reasons: Networking requires interfaces that must first be implemented on the individual machine. Fraunhofer IPK discussed the challenges facing machine builders in the development of intelligent mechatronic system technology with experts as part of a trend report.

For a growing number of companies, sustainability is no longer just a marketing argument, but an economic necessity. In times of supply bottlenecks for raw materials and rising energy prices, using scarce and expensive resources efficiently is gaining importance, as Fraunhofer IPK shows in a trend report.

»BioFusion 4.0« transfers principles from nature into industrial manufacturing to achieve sustainable and circular value creation. At this year‘s Hannover Messe from April 17 to 21, 2023, Fraunhofer IPK demonstrates how biogenic materials and digital solutions can be used to design resilient production processes and sustainable products.

mRNA-based vaccines have been one of the key elements in the fight against the coronavirus. The technology was originally developed for cancer therapy and can be used to treat many diseases. Together with partners from science and industry, Fraunhofer IPK is now researching how mRNA therapeutics and other medication can be better produced and more effectively applied.

The Fraunhofer IPK Project Office at Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) in São José dos Campos facilitates application-oriented research and development for the Brazilian manufacturing industry.

For a long time, there was no alternative to rigid production structures when fast throughput was required. Now they are becoming obsolete, as Fraunhofer IPK shows in its trend report. Instead of highly integrated, firmly linked lines, manufacturing experts increasingly favor modular production systems that can be flexibly combined.

Since 2012, Fraunhofer IPK has been assisting the Brazilian National Service for Industrial Training SENAI with establishing an application-oriented research network. Meanwhile, 26 »innovation institutes« form a viable bridge between Brazilian universities and industry in the country.

Interoperability, integration, interaction – medical technology is dominated by digitalization. At MEDICA 2022, Fraunhofer IPK will be demonstrating how intelligent linking of devices and systems, including digital twins, will shape processes in the hospital of the future. Thanks to the »Scangineering« solution, even objects for which no digital data are available can be integrated.

Industrial manufacturing generates a growing amount of data, which – evaluated and put into context in a targeted manner – enables extremely flexible reorganization of production. Together with experts from the manufacturing industry, Fraunhofer IPK has discussed which methodological and technological innovation tasks are associated with this.

Fraunhofer IPK asked industry representatives what challenges and needs manufacturing companies will be facing in the next few years. The result: Five technology topics will be top priorities across all sectors to ensure manufacturers can not only meet everyday customer expectations, but also manage crisis situations. Digitalization and networking are becoming indispensable keys to success.