Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM

Welcome at Fraunhofer IFAM

Metallic Materials

Core Competence Metallic Materials includes powder metallurgy, casting technology and additional technologies, e.g. computer simulation and analytics.

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Polymeric Materials

Our expertise in the area of polymeric materials includes the development of polymers, the processing of reactive systems, analytical methods, the development of polymers based on sustainable raw materials, and material characterization.

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Surface Technology

Our expertise covers the whole process chain of surface technology from materials‘ development to the characterization and evaluation of surfaces, their functionalization and modification, and on to various application methods.

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Adhesive Bonding

This core competence involves the development and characterization of adhesives, the design and simulation of bonded and hybrid joints, as well as the characterization, testing, and qualification of such joints.

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Shaping and Functionalization

Core Competence Shaping and Functionalization focuses on individual manufacturing steps and integration of additional functions in the end product.

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Electromobility

Core Competence Electromobility includes the research areas of batteries, drive technology, coatings, conduction and insulation, casting and energy systems.

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Automation and Digitalization

Core Competence Automation l Digitalization includes solutions for joining, sealing, coating, printing, metal casting, machining & related quality assurance

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Answers for tomorrow

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft celebrates its anniversary: 70 years of applied research.

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The Fraunhofer IFAM is one of the most important research institutions in Europe for adhesive bonding technology, surfaces, shaping and functional materials. At our institute’s six locations – Bremen, Dresden, Oldenburg, Stade, Wolfsburg and Braunschweig as well as at the Test Center for Maritime Technologies on Helgoland – we put our central principles into practice: scientific excellence, a focus on the application of technology, measurable utility for customers and ensuring the highest quality.

Our more than 680 employees, working in over 20 departments and numerous working groups combine their broad technological and scientific knowledge and expertise into core competencies: Metallic Materials; Polymeric Materials; Surface Technology; Adhesive Bonding Technology; Shaping and Functionalization; Electromobility; and Automatization and Digitalization. These core competencies - both individually and in combination with each other – are not only the basis of our strong position in the research market but also of future-forward developments that will be useful for society.

Most of the products, processes, and technologies we develop are for sectors where sustainability is particularly important, namely for the aviation industry, automotive sector, energy technologies, medical technology and life sciences, maritime technologies. The solutions developed at Fraunhofer IFAM are, however, also used in various other branches of industry including machinery and plant construction, electronics and electrical engineering, shipbuilding, rail vehicle manufacture, the packaging industry, and the construction sector.

News

 

Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden signs research agreement with Korean Hanyang University

On November 5, 2019, Dr. Thomas Weißgärber, head of the Dresden Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Hanyang University to promote relations with the application-oriented research unit ERICA (Education-Research-Industry Cluster at Ansan).

 

New opportunities in additive manufacturing: manufacturing of copper components

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Dresden has succeeded in using Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM) to produce copper components that have not previously been shown using this process.

 

Individualization of Products in Mass Production: Development of cutting-edge Technology within the Fraunhofer Lighthouse Project »Go Beyond 4.0«

Six Fraunhofer Institutes have demonstrated the individualization of single products in mass production environments by the employment of digital printing and laser technologies. This substantial progress provides completely new opportunities for design and weight reduction by material savings.

 

Turbine from the 3D printer

Together with the H+E-Produktentwicklung GmbH in Moritzburg, Saxony, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Dresden has developed a true-to-scale gas turbine that impressively demonstrates the current potentials and limitations of powder bed-based additive technologies. 

Current Publications

 

Profile of Fraunhofer IFAM