Manufacturing and joining technologies

Production-oriented technologies for lightweight construction

Modern lightweight concepts require appropriate materials for the right positions. Strategies of mixed construction play an essential role in this context. In particular, hybrid structures demand reliable, cost-efficient and load-oriented manufacturing and joining of components. New and versatile material combinations necessitate continuous development of manufacturing, assembly and joining processes as well as testing methods. The Fraunhofer IWU is your partner for research and development.

Manufacturing technologies for lightweight construction

Additive manufacturing

  • Laser beam melting
  • Additive manufacturing of plastic components

Sheet metal forming

  • Press hardening
  • Sheet metal hydroforming
  • Hydroforming of tubes and profiles
  • Shape rolling of profiles
  • Tempered forming of light metals
  • Processing of thin sheet metals

Joining and assembly technologies for lightweight construction

  • Mechanical and thermal joining technology
  • Electromagnetic forming
  • Lightweight construction of production resources
  • Bulk metal forming
  • Cutting and removing

  • Integration of sensors and actuators
  • Joining processes for mixed construction
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Forming and cutting of lightweight materials (periphery and technology)
  • Tool development and optimization

Development of process chains

  • Market analysis
  • Investigation of process chains
  • Process optimization
  • Cost-benefit calculation
  • Development of manufacturing concepts
  • Planning and technological dimensioning of processes, tools and machines

Development and evaluation

  • Market analysis
  • Feasibility studies
  • Technology development
  • Development of characteristic process values
  • Benchmarking
  • Numerical simulation
  • Manufacturing of prototypes