Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology
Fraunhofer IWU - The leading institute for resource-efficient production
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU is a driver for innovations in the research and development of production engineering. Around 670 highly qualified employees at our locations in Chemnitz, Dresden, Leipzig, Wolfsburg, and Zittau tap the new potential for competitive manufacturing in automotive and mechanical engineering, aerospace technology, medical engineering, electrical engineering, and precision and micro engineering. We focus on scientific developments and contract research concerning components, processes, methods, and the associated complex machine systems – the entire factory.
As the leading institute for resource-efficient production, we develop technologies and intelligent production systems for car body and powertrain components. We optimize production stages of forming, cutting, and joining processes while considering the entire process chain, factoring in regenerative systems and circular economy. Crucial factors of success include the development of innovative lightweight structures and technologies for the processing of new materials, the transfer of functions into assembly units, and last but not least, the economic utilization of fuel cell technologies.
Our researchers recognize technological trends early on and turn them into industrial solutions ready for application. Currently, these trends include cognitive production systems, consistent linking of production plants, and artificial intelligence. We develop integrative solutions with specific added value, strengthening and expanding our partners’ competitive position now and in the future. Our ”E3 Research Factory Resource-Efficient Production” serves as an example of our comprehensive approach. Combining the expertise from research and industry results in solutions for efficient technologies and concepts for planning and managing factories. Our objective lies in flexible, resource-efficient production based on renewable energies with novel information technologies and visualization methods for humans guaranteeing success in tomorrow’s factory.