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  • The Fraunhofer IST at Laser 2023 / 2023

    Fast, precise, automated: Customized optical measurement technology for production monitoring

    Press Release / May 24, 2023

    Optical broadband monitoring system MOCCA+®.
    © Fraunhofer IST, Jan Benz

    The requirements placed upon production are increasing continuously. Products are becoming more complex and, at the same time, a larger quantity of variants is being demanded. In order to meet these challenges, manufacturing processes must be optimized. Quality assurance, process monitoring and control as well as automation thereby play a special role. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, systems for improved process control and the automated process management of coating processes are developed on the basis of a holistic understanding of the process. One example is the MOCCA software, which will be demonstrated live at LASER 2023.

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  • SVC MentorAward
    © Fraunhofer IST, Holger Gerdes

    Dr. Andreas Pflug from the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST was presented with the “Mentor Award” at this year’s conference of the Society of Vacuum Coaters (SVC TechCon 2023) in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of plasma-process simulation. With the award, which has been presented annually since 2001, the SVC acknowledges exceptional contributions towards the development of vacuum coating technology or services to society.

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  • The Fraunhofer IST at the Hannover Messe 2023 / 2023

    Innovative sensor inserts enable monitoring of production processes

    Press Release / April 03, 2023

    Sensor insert cross wedge rollers
    © Fraunhofer IST

    In order to achieve optimum product quality, precise control of the production process is necessary. For this purpose, the relevant parameters must be continuously recorded. In this context, the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST from Braunschweig will be presenting its most recent developments for the optimization of cotter rolling processes at this year’s Hannover Messe: Thin-film sensor inserts which enable precise in-situ detection of the temperature distribution on the tool surface.

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  • The Fraunhofer IST at the Hannover Messe / 2023

    Multisensory tools for digital process monitoring

    Press Release / April 03, 2023

    Multisensory stamp and forming parts.
    © Fraunhofer IST

    Autonomous, self-controlling production systems have tremendous potential in the transformation towards sustainability. At the Hannover Messe 2023, the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST will be presenting innovative solutions for real-time data acquisition directly in the running process. Through the development of integrated and wear-resistant thin-film sensors, parameters such as force, temperature or wear can be recorded in the vicinity of highly stressed forming zones. As a result, the manufacturing process for high-quality cold-forged parts can be monitored and optimized from an ecological and economic point of view. This increases both process understanding and process reliability.

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  • The Fraunhofer IST at the Hannover Messe 2023 / 2023

    Sustainable process chains for the manufacture of resilient and smart tools

    Press Release / April 03, 2023

    Sustainable component and tool coating: CVD diamond coatings for various tool solutions.
    © Fraunhofer IST

    Whether drilling, turning or milling: In machining – as well as in primary forming and re-forming, die casting and many other applications – tools are of pivotal importance for industrial production. Their performance significantly influences both the quality and the cost of the manufactured product and, consequently, the economic and ecological sustainability of the production process. One objective of the work at the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST in Braunschweig is the development of resilient and smart tools under the requirements of sustainability. The researchers thereby take the entire process chain into account - from tool design and material characterization, through pre-treatment, cleaning, and customized surface treatments and coatings, and on to testing and application.

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  • Fraunhofer researchers hand over mobile care platform to NGO for field tests / 2023

    Sustainable and decentralized: Health care in rural areas of the sub-Saharan region

    Press Release / March 06, 2023

    PreCare care unit
    © Fraunhofer IST, Lothar Schäfer

    With the aim of being able to ensure comprehensive preclinical care in even the most remote areas of Africa, researchers from the Fraunhofer institutes for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST and for Solar Energy Systems ISE, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in South Africa, have developed a mobile care platform which, on 3rd March 2023, was handed over to the NGO Rhiza Babuyile during a ceremonial event. The non-profit organization has a number of locations in South Africa and will conduct the one-year test phase of the supply unit in the Mpumalanga region.

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  • European project “TranSensus LCA” kicked-off in Brussels / 2023

    Fraunhofer coordinates a project on the harmonization of a transport-specific Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

    Press Release / February 02, 2023

    TranSensus LCA kicked-off in Brussels will pave the way for LCA-based product and business development within the road transport market.
    © Fraunhofer LBF

    The Fraunhofer-Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF and the Fraunhofer-Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST jointly coordinates a Support and Coordinated Action aiming at defining and harmonising a commonly accepted and applied single Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach for zero-emission vehicles ZEV. Both institutes brought together 44 key stakeholders along the full value chain of zero-emission vehicles covering, among others, vehicle and battery manufactures, the supply industry, energy providers and recyclers. This unique initiative is supported by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and had its kick-off meeting on February 1 in Brussels with about 60 attendees.

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  • Fraunhofer researchers develop innovative method for clinical applications in the field of stem-cell-based retinal implants / 2023

    Controlled manufacture, storage and freezing of artificial retinal cells

    Press Release / January 11, 2023

    Scheme KryoRet
    © Fraunhofer IBMT

    Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye condition that affects approximately ¼ of the population. Particularly in the western world, it is the most frequent cause of blindness in humans. In most cases, the chronic progression of the retinal condition is not curable, as the window of opportunity in which any therapeutic action can be taken is very small. One potential new form of treatment is presented by stem-cell therapy. Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a new method for the production and clinical application of stem-cell-based retinal implants, which could contribute towards the successful treatment of AMD. Their approach thereby is to replace damaged tissue with stem-cell-based transplants.

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  • B+T Innovation Award 2022
    © Norbert Kaufmann, B+T Unternehmensgruppe

    On 1st December 2022, the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST was honored with this year’s B+T Innovation Award in recognition of its human-centered research and development into sustainable as well as future-oriented technologies. The recipient is selected by a panel of experts from the B+T group of companies.

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  • The Fraunhofer IST at Formnext 2022 / 2022

    Layer by layer to more stability: New possibilities for 3D printing through integrated plasma treatment

    Press Release / November 14, 2022

    Plasma point source
    © Fraunhofer IST, Paul Kurze

    Additive-manufacturing processes are characterized by the fact that the components are built up layer by layer using, for example, plastics. The adhesion of the individual layers thereby plays an important role, as it significantly influences the stability of the printed components. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, plasma sources are currently being developed which can be integrated into the 3D printer, thereby enabling a targeted chemical modification of the surface during the printing process itself. Amongst other things, a significant increase in adhesion can consequently be achieved, which leads to new options for 3D-printed component manufacturing.

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