Fraunhofer Research Center STEX

The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU is an engine for innovations in the research and development of production technologies. Around 600 employees at our locations in Chemnitz, Dresden and Zittau open up potentials for competitive manufacturing. Our scientific research and contract research focuses on components, processes and the associated complex machine systems – the entire factory. As the leading Fraunhofer institute for resource-efficient production, we concentrate on the development of efficient technologies and intelligent production plants for manufacturing highly stressed and complex components used in mechanical engineering and automotive manufacturing, and on optimizing the related manufacturing processes. Here it is essential for us to consider the entire process chain.

Key success factors include the development of lightweight structures and technologies for processing new materials as well as functional integration in assemblies.

The research activities of Fraunhofer IWU in the area of lightweight construction with fiber composites are closely connected with the activities of our ATL partners. Numerous research projects and industrial projects have been carried out together. The knowhow of all ATL partners is utilized to offer the customers a comprehensive solution to their problems. Here our intention is to complement the unique selling proposition of the STEX Research Center with the partners’ services. Fraunhofer IWU profits from Cetex with its competence regarding textile machines, and from the diverse plant equipment and knowhow of the Department of Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology (LSP) of TU Chemnitz.

We enhance ATL with practice-relevant system solutions, new ideas for automated preforming and with innovations in the field of additive manufacturing.

At the beginning of 2016 our institute’s range of services was extended by “Textile Lightweight Design”. The establishment of the Fraunhofer Research Center “Systems and Technologies for Textile Structures STEX” has been an important impulse for the new division.

The Division of “Textile Lightweight Design” focuses on the following:

• Design appropriate for composites
• Near-net shape and load path oriented semi-finished products for reinforcement
• Automated preforming processes
• Smart composites, optical functionalization of fiber-reinforced composites (luminous glass fibers)
• High-performance composites and self-learning systems for FRP processes
• Additive manufacturing processes: ultra-fast 3D printing based on extrusion
• Closed-loop economy and remanufacturing