Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming TechnologyActual trends like electrification, automation, autonomization, customization and digitalization influence the constant change in the automotive industry, maritime economy, aviation and rail transport. Sustainability, conservation of resources, energy saving and CO2-reduction and -neutrality have a high influence on future vehicle generations and concepts of mobility.
The sustainable and digital mobility of the future needs to be open for new technologies to meet these various requirements.
The use of bio-based materials, energy efficient manufacturing and multifunctional, smart and light components will be paramount to satisfy those future customer needs, as well as social and governmental requirements. By combination of different materials, the intelligent use of lightweight constructions provides enormous potentials for further development and rising applications in all kinds of vehicles. The development of new manufacturing processes for hybrid components can also accelerate the use of new lightweight construction materials.
With our research and our innovations, we want to make a decisive contribution and provide support for manufacturers and suppliers in the respective fields to find industry-specific solutions. We also want to establish a unique position in production, recycling and continued use of future mobility.
Bundling competences – application oriented research on one campus
Our main goal is the development of cost-effective and sustainable technologies for the large-scale manufacturing of lightweight composites out of metals, plastics, and textiles.
Our interdisciplinary approach aims at developing production processes of lightweight composites in close cooperation within several public and private entities (industrial and governmental). This approach also aims at the integration of recycling as part of the process.
A total of four Fraunhofer Institutes work together at the Fraunhofer Project Center Wolfsburg:
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
- Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU
- Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI
- Fraunhofer Institute für Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST
In close cooperation with the Fraunhofer Project Center for Energy Storage and Systems ZESS in Braunschweig, we aim at the development of the next generation batteries for auto vehicles and their components.
Network of industry and research
The lightweight campus "Open Hybrid LabFactory e. V. (OHLF)" is one of the leading addresses in Germany for research and development of hybrid components of the future. Here, the Fraunhofer Project Center Wolfsburg and the TU Braunschweig work together on the goal of producing hybrid lightweight components out of metals, plastics and textile structures for industrial application. The implementation and utilization in production and manufacturing is guaranteed by the close cooperation with industrial companies in the "Open Hybrid LabFactory e. V. (OHLF)".