Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung IPA
About us
With nearly 1 200 employees, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, Fraunhofer IPA, is one of the largest institutes in the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The total budget amounts to € 94 million. The in stitute’s research focus is on organizational and technological aspects of production. In 11 research areas, we develop, test, and implement not only components, devic es and methods but also entire machines and manufacturing plants. In 11 business areas, we transfer research results in cooperation with small and large enterprises, especially from the automotive, machinery and equipment, electronics and microsystems, energy, medical engineering and process industry.
Products & services
Use Case Automation Planning
Our automation planning projects typically begin with an automation potential analysis (APA). Using gearbox assembly as an example, our experts objectively analyze the manual workstation in detail using our evaluation form. Each individual process is assessed for its suitability for automation based on four key characteristics: separation, handling, positioning, and joining. We also incorporate production data to assess both the technical and economic potential. In our example, we have processes that are more difficult to automate but offer significant savings potential. A Design for Automation (DfA) analysis helps us to optimize the product for automation. Once the product is deemed suitable for automation, we create a simulation of the automation solution to simulate critical aspects, space requirements, and cycle times. Based on this simulation, we conduct feasibility studies in our test environments to verify critical sub-functions.
Automatisierungsbegleitung
In our 5 phases, we guide you systematically and objectively to your automation solution!
Kitting Applikation mit 5-Finger Roboterhand
In vielen Projekten sind Pick-and-Place-Aufgaben technisch leicht automatisierbar, rechnen sich aber nur, wenn zahlreiche unterschiedliche Teile mit derselben Greiflösung gehandhabt werden. Mit kommerziellen Roboterhänden verlagert sich die Herausforderung von der Hardware zur aufwendigen, bauteilspezifischen Konfiguration – ein manuell nicht skalierbarer Prozess. Hier setzt die Prehensio GmbH, eine Ausgründung des Fraunhofer IPA, an. Ihre Kerninnovation ist eine KI-basierte Software zur Greifplanung und -ausführung: Ausgehend vom CAD-Modell eines Bauteils erzeugt ein neuronales Netz Greifkonfigurationen, die als Look-up-Tabelle in die Applikationssoftware übernommen, sodass je nach erkannter Objektlage automatisch ein geeigneter Griff gewählt wird. Darauf aufbauend entwickelt und vertreibt Prehensio Automatisierungslösungen für Maschinenbestückung und Kommissionierung in Produktion und Logistik.
Product design for automation (DfA)
The aim of automation-oriented product design (Design for Automation, DfA) is to design products efficiently in order to promote automation in production. Through a structured workshop in which our IPA experts work together with our customers in teams from development, industrial engineering and production, the eleven “golden rules” for effective product design are implemented. This approach leads to tailor-made optimization proposals that significantly improve the automation capability of your products. The resulting benefits are increased efficiency, which translates into reduced assembly times and a lower number of components. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Development of automation concepts
Evaluating automation concepts
Support for successful automation
We support customers and system integrators in the successful implementation of automation solutions. Our approach is based on close collaboration with a selected system integrator and Fraunhofer IPA as the system integrator, followed by acceptance testing and the handover of the final solution to the customer. The advantages: a single point of contact, systematic safeguarding of critical processes, and minimized risks for efficient implementation – in addition, we enable the outsourcing of risks in automation solutions using cutting-edge technologies.