Common press release by Fraunhofer IWU and Chemnitz University of Technology

Prof. Dr. Martin Dix appointed as director of Fraunhofer IWU – he also assumes the Professorship for »Production Systems and Processes« at Chemnitz University of Technology

The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU has appointed Professor Martin Dix as a new director. Since October 1, 2020, he has been leading the Scientific Field of »Machine Tools, Production Systems and Machining« at Fraunhofer IWU. At the same time, Professor Dix assumes the Professorship for »Production Systems and Processes« at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Chemnitz University of Technology.

© Fraunhofer IWU
Prof. Martin Dix is a new director at Fraunhofer IWU. At the same time, he assumes the Professorship for »Production Systems and Processes« at Chemnitz University of Technology.

»Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU has a leading position in research and development of production technology, which is such an essential sector for Germany. I am really happy that Prof. Martin Dix, who is an accomplished expert in the field of production technologies and systems and in production management, has joined Fraunhofer IWU as a director«, explains Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. »As an experienced leader at TU Chemnitz and Fraunhofer, Prof. Dix is very familiar with the local employees, structures and processes. As the Head of Product Management at pro-micron GmbH he has gained significant experiences in an industrial environment. At the same time, he is my successor in leading the Professorship for ‘Production Systems and Processes’ at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of TU Chemnitz. I sincerely wish Prof. Dix success and good luck.«

»Prof. Dix assumes anything but an easy succession. After all, the Professorship of ‘Production Systems and Processes’ is the former Professorship ‘Machine Tool Design and Forming Technology’ of Prof. Neugebauer. However, I am convinced that he will manage the arising challenges and considerably contribute to the success of our university and to Chemnitz as a location of science and economy«, says the rector of TU Chemnitz, Prof. Gerd Strohmeier, who also cordially thanks Prof. Matthias Putz for his deeply committed representation of the professorship for many years.

The managing director of Fraunhofer IWU, Prof. Welf-Guntram Drossel, illustrates the importance of the Scientific Field of »Machine Tools, Production Systems and Machining«: Prof. Martin Dix takes over a section of the institute with approximately 130 employees, which has considerably shaped the DNA of Fraunhofer IWU, and which has been managed very successfully by Prof. Matthias Putz for the past six years.  

Emphases: process technologies, humans and technology, start-ups

Executing his double function, Martin Dix wants to use different synergies and further develop the profiles of the professorship and of Fraunhofer IWU. Dix will place a focus on shaping production processes, particularly on metal processing and the associated plants and tools. »Due to my previous research activities at TU Chemnitz, I know the local environment of science and transfer very well. Furthermore, in the past years I have gained great experiences at a young and innovative enterprise in measuring technology. Using these combined experiences, I want to combine fundamental research at the university to application-oriented research outside the university in order to support new technologies all the way up to their application«, says Dix. Additionally, Dix wants to promote spin-offs by using the university’s excellent infrastructure in supporting start-ups, thus advancing the location of Chemnitz in a sustainable manner.

Another emphasis for the research at his professorship and in his scientific field comprises »humans and technology«, which is one core competency of TU Chemnitz and which is decisive for efficient and flexible production. In this context, he will further the development of new inclusion technologies so that lateral recruits will also be able to fully control production systems that are increasingly complex. Overall, Dix is »delighted to return to this location« since »Chemnitz and its region are characterized by a historical entrepreneurial spirit, for example in mechanical engineering. I want to contribute to bringing the location back to the top.«

Professional background of Professor Martin Dix

Before his appointment to Fraunhofer IWU and the TU Chemnitz, for two years Dix has been Head of Product Management at pro-micron GmbH, a leading system provider for wireless technology in measuring and production monitoring. Dix studied Mechanical Engineering at TU Chemnitz and wrote his thesis on »Resource-efficient high-performance drilling using spiral drills – analysis and process design« within the framework of the Saxon Cluster of Excellence »Energy-Efficient Product and Process Innovations in Production Engineering« (eniProd). He received the rating »summa cum laude« for his thesis. First, he worked as a research associate, and from 2009 – 2011 he was group manager at Fraunhofer IWU, and Executive Assistant of the German Academic Association for Production Technology. From 2011 to 2018, he conducted research and taught as a department head at the Professorship »Machine Tool Design and Forming Technology« at TU Chemnitz. Since October 1, 2020, Dix has been one of three directors at Fraunhofer IWU.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial exploitation of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 74 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany. The majority of the organization’s 28,000 employees are qualified scientists and engineers, who work with an annual research budget of 2.8 billion euros. Of this sum, 2.3 billion euros is generated through contract research.

Chemnitz University of Technology

Chemnitz University of Technology is a diverse university that is a part of a strong regional, national and international network. It is home to roughly 11,000 students from around 100 countries. With around 2,300 employees in the sciences, technology and administration, the university is also an important catalyst in the region. Chemnitz University of Technology sees itself as a university with a familial feel to it, where members work together and treat each other as peers. The university sees itself as a driver of innovation in dealing with the important problems of tomorrow. Against the backdrop of global changes and new demographics, there is a need for comprehensive solutions that are sustainable, interdisciplinary and beneficial to our society. For this purpose, Chemnitz University of Technology has defined its three core competencies in research and teaching as follows: »Materials and Smart Systems«, »Resource-Efficient Production and Lightweight Structures«, and »Humans and Technology«.