Technology on Demand Lab

The areas of expertise at the “Technology on Demand Laboratory” not only include the linking of different disciplines (mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, etc.) but also the use and combination of various manufacturing technologies (laser sintering, water cutting, etc.).  Highlights include the production of individual electronic components in SMD board production as well as the use of a 3D printer for the production of geometrically demanding components. Prototypes can be developed together with you and then manufactured directly in our institute, so that production costs can be reduced and implementation times can be minimized.  Your project is supported according to the phases of the V-model. Example projects from the “Technology on Demand Laboratory” are optimizing the gripping technology for robots; developing and manufacturing LOCATIVE, a small-scale automated guided vehicle, as well as building a lightweight version of our Rackracer.

Data and Facts

• Date of opening: The production machines used in the LAB have been in operation since the end of 2013.
• Types of machines: Selective laser sintering (EOS Eosint P395), Fused Layer Modeling (Raise 3D N2, 2x Ultimaker 3, Ultimaker 3X, DeltaWASP, MakerBot 2X)
• Special features: Rapid prototype production, which complements our mechanical workshop. Production of complex geometries for the development of innovative logistics solutions.

Information

Since the end of 2013, the Fraunhofer IML has been working on the topic of additive manufacturing. Within the context of the Technology on Demand Lab, individual components can be created and tested in a short time with the aid of additive manufacturing processes. In addition to the cooperation with the Mikroelectronics-Lab for the production of housings for our own developments, innovative solutions in the field of driverless transport vehicles are  possible. By focusing on the processing of plastics and cooperating with the mechanical workshop, the IML can develop and implement prototypes and pilot series for a wide variety of applications quickly and with high quality.

Data and Facts

• Types of machines: Automatic placer (fully automatic placer for serial placing), manual placer (camera supported manual placing), stencil rack (to rack solder paste), stop laquer rack (to apply a protective layer to the printed circuit boards), oven (for individual pieces), continuous oven (for serial production/small series), soldering stations (hand soldering station for rough work and reworking), microscopes (Nikon microscope for examination, reworking and as an aid for fine structures and components), lasers (for structuring and drilling PCB prototypes), multilayer presses (for the production of multi-layer PCBs), electroplating (chemical throughplating of PCBs)

Information

As an integral part of the »Technology on Demand Lab«, the Microelectronic Lab has been creating embedded systems with Micro-SMD technology in the context of the »Internet of Things« in Logistics since 2013. The laboratory makes it possible to manufacture rapid prototypes from the design stage through circuit board production and assembly to the final functional test and evaluation. Continuous investments enable development at the pulse of time and, meanwhile, also enable the production of pilot series for the preparation of industrialization.

Data and Facts

• Opening Date: 2016 (modernization 2017)
• Special features: Industry 4.0 management in focus, supporting supporting management decisions by means of new technologies, digital prototyping
• Type of demonstrators: Virtual reality experiment area, blockchain demonstrator, ERP 4.0 demonstrator, escape game, smart maintenance, simulation as decision support
  
• Equipment: 2x Microsoft Hololens, 2x HTC Vive, 2x digital planning tables, 4x presentation and interaction steles, 1x Carrera track and networked, digital workshop area
  
  
   

Information

Testing and experiencing tomorrow's processes, organizations and management decisions today - this possibility is now available in the Virtual Reality Lab Supply Chain Management of the Corporate Logistics division at Fraunhofer IML. Various networked demonstrators show the influence that digitization and its technologies have on company organization and processes, data, value creation and employees. Future processes can be experienced through virtual and augmented reality. Realistic simulations, for example, provide data and evaluations on planned measures and thus facilitate management decisions.

ERP and PLM 4.0, smart maintenance, Production 4.0, Purchasing 4.0, Factory Planning 4.0, supply chain management, blockchain, simulation and much more is offered by VR LAB SCM. In escape game maintenance, problems of smart maintenance are solved playfully with the help of augmented reality. With virtual reality, logistical processes can be experienced virtually and employees can be trained realistically in virtual environments. ERP 4.0 offers a cross-functional, digital representation of business processes and a secure design of contract data with the help of smart contracts is illustrated by the blockchain demonstrator. Knowledge is imparted in a playful way, processes are designed together and new technologies are used to support decisions. Industry 4.0 becomes tangible and tangible. Here, virtual prototyping of processes takes place at the same time.