Press & Media

At this year’s LASER World of PHOTONICS in Munich, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT will present cutting-edge manufacturing technologies for next-generation optics production. Visitors will find the team in Hall B1, Booth 231. The exhibits are geared toward companies looking to manufacture high-precision glass components efficiently, scale micro- and nanostructures, or perform inline quality control of optical parts.

Many laser-based production processes require strict safety measures to protect machine operators from radiation and harmful emissions. However, these measures make process monitoring more difficult. Together with project partners, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen has developed a digital solution that brings more safety, transparency and controllability to manufacturing: In its virtual reality environment, processed sensor data is displayed in near real time. The additive manufacturing process of laser metal deposition with wire (LMD-w) served as a model process.

Digitalization is a decisive competitive factor for industry - artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins and cyber security are considered the key technologies of the future. But how can manufacturing companies use these technologies specifically and effectively to make processes more efficient, sustainable and secure? The latest report from the International Center for Networked, Adaptive Production (ICNAP) provides practical answers: from zero-trust architectures and the integration of AI to the use of digital twins, the report offers solutions for Industry 4.0. It also presents an outlook on the future of autonomous production and highlights approaches for the so-called "dark factory" – a fully automated production facility.

At Formnext 2024, the Fraunhofer Group for Production will present its comprehensive range of solutions for post-processing additively manufactured parts. Under the title "Additive Manufacturing - Finishing and Refinement Solutions", the Fraunhofer Institutes will be demonstrating numerous processes for surface finishing and functionalization. A haptic exhibit in the form of a turtle will illustrate these technologies and bring them to life for visitors.