Fraunhofer IPK

Fraunhofer IPK is the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology, a research institute in Germany. It does applied research for industry and public bodies.

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About Fraunhofer IPK

Fraunhofer IPK is the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology, a research institute in Germany. It does applied research for industry and public bodies. The work centres on production, engineering and digital methods.

The institute serves five industries. These are the car industry, tool and mould making, aerospace, machinery and plant engineering, and biomedicine. Its expertise is grouped into industry trends, company and production management, digital engineering, production methods and plants, and automation.

Its services run from first advice to working prototypes. It starts with baseline analyses of processes and single technologies, and it runs potential studies, cost calculations and feasibility studies. It then helps with process improvement to save energy, material and time. It also plans factories and process chains, including whole new production chains. Where no solution exists, the institute builds one. It develops tools, clamping systems, machines and IT systems for manufacturing.

Fraunhofer IPK also builds prototypes, from the first idea to a physical demonstrator. It says its work usually sits between technology readiness levels 4 and 7. Customers can work with the institute through pre-competitive, contract or joint research projects.

Training is another part of the offer. Courses and workshops include Mastering Digital Twins, a PLM Professional certificate program, a course on digital product passports, and training in benchmarking and process optimisation. Other topics include competitive sustainable manufacturing, climate protection management, green skills, data ecosystems and milling strategies that save time, money and energy.

The institute takes part in the Digital Networking performance centre with Fraunhofer FOKUS, HHI and IZM. Its Industry 4.0 Lab brings together information technology firms, automation suppliers and manufacturers in Berlin.