Press Releases 2016

Within the framework of Industrie 4.0 the aircraft manufacturing industry has embarked on an automation offensive. This involves moving away from customized machinery for special processes towards universal mobile robots. The ProsihP II project "Efficient, highly productive, precision machining of large CFRP structures", which was funded by the State of Lower Saxony, involved experts from a wide range of disciplines who set out to develop technology for the mobile, high-precision machining of large CFRP components using robots working in parallel. Spurred on by their own innovation, the project team has now achieved the ambitious objective of the project. Last week Fraunhofer IFAM scientists and their project partners presented the intelligent milling system at Research Center CFK NORD in Stade.

Complex bone fractures are often set with titanium or steel screws and plates. However, if these remain in the body for some time, they can cause health problems. A new bioceramic screw nail has the capacity of replacing the currently used metal components. It can be easily introduced into bone and does not have to be removed. Fraunhofer researchers are presenting the screw nail from November 14-17 at the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf (Hall 10, Booth G05).

Offshore wind farms generate energy from the raw winds out at sea. But the salty air causes them to rust. For such plants to be profi table, they have to remain in service for at least 25 years – which is impossible without regular maintenance. In the future, the use of innovative materials and technologies will make this task less onerous and cheaper. Fraunhofer researchers are developing a protective fi lm that will optimize the repair process and are working on the necessary inspection criteria.