Project References

Working together with Düspohl, Fraunhofer IEM developed a novel grinding system incorporating AI-based software and, for the first time, automated a wholly manual production step at the mechanical engineering company. The robotic cell will autonomously learn how to grind the complex profile wrapping rollers. The RoboGrinder takes a hybrid approach to this challenge by combining powerful AI technologies with established control engineering methods. A machine learning module programmed specifically for the process also predicts any grinding errors. They are used to correct the basic control and enable the rubber-like rollers to be ground directly to size.

Together with the Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e.V. (FVA), the Fraunhofer IEM has investigated the requirements associated with the use of 5G in mechanical and plant engineering. The aim is to conduct a comprehensive study on the topic of 5G in industrial applications and to prepare the results transparently for SMEs.

The entire automotive industry is facing major challenges: In the course of technological change, new or expanded interfaces between a vehicle and the outside world are continuously evolving - for example, in communication with charging stations or digital services in the cloud. They also open up the potential for cyberattacks. The aim of the research project was to support developers with an automated analysis of the influences of safety and security.

The digital transformation is promoting the creation of large amounts of data in companies' value networks, the data analysis of which using artificial intelligence offers enormous potential for transparent and optimised supply chain management (SCM). The aim of the MOVE research project is to enable companies to utilise new data-driven SCM approaches. The focus is on developing methods and tools for rapid implementation.

The use of machine learning makes it possible: knowledge is gained from data and introduced at all levels of the company's processes in order to generate added value. This allows design processes to be improved, product weaknesses to be identified and developments to be accelerated. The aim of the Machine Learning for Production and its Products (ML4Pro2) project is to make machine learning accessible to companies for intelligent products and production processes.

Predicting and even preventing machine downtime with data from production: This is the aim of the "BOOST 4.0 - Big Data for Factories" project, in which the Fraunhofer IEM and Benteler are setting up a pilot factory for industrial data analysis and utilization in the it's OWL cluster of excellence.

The introduction of automation solutions has not been appealing for the company so far due to low quantities, as these often require high investments. What is missing are efficient solutions that can also be used economically for batch sizes of 1. Fraunhofer IEM and MIT are demonstrating how Industry 4.0 in the form of flexible automation measures and collaborative robots (cobots) can also make its way into medium-sized companies in the TALENTED joint research project.

Arbeitswelt.Plus aims to develop and establish a regional competence centre for work research. By combining AI research and AI application as well as establishing transfer structures, the competence centre is intended to support companies in recognising and exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence for the world of work.

Ensuring IT security is a complex challenge for companies. The aim of the AppSecure.nrw project is therefore to develop a set of tools for secure software development and to evaluate them in practice. The preliminary work and research results from science are to be further developed and prepared in such a way that software developers can use them directly and easily themselves.

All safety requirements for software and hardware must be taken into account during the development and design of machines and systems and aligned with the entire life cycle. Manufacturers and companies often lack the necessary expertise for this. Fraunhofer IEM and Fraunhofer IOSB have therefore designed a seminar together with the Mechanical Engineering Institute in Frankfurt to build up the necessary expertise in mechanical and plant engineering companies.

Products and production systems are characterized by more and more functions, increasing networking and a growing proportion of electronics and software in the components and system solutions. Fraunhofer IEM identified suitable system and service engineering methods for the medium-sized company RK Rose+Krieger in order to create a holistic understanding of the system, integrate it into the existing development process and combine it in the best possible way.

Nowadays, automated and very complex production plants handle the efficient production of cookies. The SensoBack research project aims to lower waste in cookie production and increase product quality. Fraunhofer IEM has established communication between sensors and systems and created technical communication standards.

Complex software systems are the basis of our networked industry and at the same time pose a security risk that is technically costly to control on a regular basis. The goal of the IntelliSecTest project is to develop a software tool for efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-use security testing of software applications. To this end, static and dynamic code analysis are to be combined with test case generation techniques to create a fully automated, intelligent testing software tool - a so-called fuzzer.

Complex technical systems and increasing customer requirements: Systems engineering (SE) offers companies - including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - tools and approaches to master these challenges and remain competitive in the future. Especially when systems engineering is designed holistically and integrated into the company organisation. The SE4OWL project is working on how this organisational and cultural change can succeed.

In the CoGeP project, the Fraunhofer IEM is specifically focussing on semi-automated robots: this makes it possible to exploit the advantages of automation while at the same time ensuring the versatility of the testing systems. Companies should be able to integrate cobot workstations into existing manufacturing processes cost-effectively and with little effort, allowing them to change their production at short notice or adapt it to small quantities through to the production of individual items. Based on a holistic system model, the IT architecture of the future system will enable interfaces and the connection of different robots and test systems and software.

The Denergetic research project is investigating the potential of energy management for household appliances to compensate for grid fluctuations and create new business models. Energy suppliers, private households and manufacturers are working together on a solution. The aim is holistic energy management that integrates all levels of the energy system - from the grid level to the end devices in private households.

Transparent supply chains, reduced resource consumption, increased recycling rates: All of this contributes to a company's carbon footprint. The EcoTwin research project shows how, for example, the carbon footprint can be optimized and made more transparent by collecting, linking and analysing data. In four work packages, the researchers are working with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy to develop green digital twins for various divisions of Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH.

With "Miele@home technology", numerous appliances can be networked and integrated into smart home applications. Access via the Internet in particular requires special protection, for example to ward off hacker attacks. For this reason, Miele decided to have the technology's security concepts comprehensively tested by Fraunhofer IEM early on in the development process. This ensures that the highly sensitive data, which requires protection, cannot fall into the hands of third parties and that the security of the devices is guaranteed.

Phoenix Contact is a global manufacturer of industrial controllers. In the context of Industry 4.0, connecting controllers to the Internet is essential. However, access via the Internet requires special protection, e.g. to ward off hacker attacks. To this end, the IT security standard IEC 62443 describes requirements specifically tailored to automation technology, both for products and their development processes, which must be fulfilled.

Air pollution is on the rise. To reduce CO² pollution, emissions must be lowered - also in shipping. The aim of the TrAM project is to develop a new class of emission-free, modular high-speed passenger ferries. The methods devised should reduce production and development costs and thus make such ships with electric propulsion competitive. The project will build the world's first zero-emission, electrically powered high-speed passenger ferry.