Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology
The lightweight material aluminum can be shaped into complicated design profiles by extrusion. This is a huge advantage in manufacturing hollow profiles (automation technology, fair construction), heat sink profiles or antenna technology. Semi-finished products or components are manufactured by forming using primary materials such as rolling ingots, sheet metal or cylinders. Rolling can be used to produce very thin foils; deep drawing is applied for manufacturing hollow bodies. Together with partners from science and industry we develop new forming and joining technologies or adapt existing technologies to current lightweight trends.