idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
At automatica 2025, the Fraunhofer IAPT will present collaborative robots for the automation of production, especially for the dynamic requirements of additive manufacturing. The "Cobots" reduce the effort required to install and expand additive manufacturing.
"Cobots" enable the automation of production processes with innovative mechanisms and seamless end-to-end data formats, increasing process stability and improving product quality. The automation solutions benefit from additively manufactured tools and grippers.
Hamburg-Bergedorf, May 26, 2025 - At the Fraunhofer joint stand (A4 / 319) at automatica 2025 (June 24-27, 2025, Munich) the Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies IAPT will present collaborative robots for reliable automation of the entire manufacturing process.The so-called "Cobots" reduce the required personnel effort and necessary expertise for entering additive manufacturing, its operation, automation, and scaling. The grippers of the "Cobots" also illustrate the opportunities of additive designs: like other robotic tools with integral functionalities, they require complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional methods.
Collaborative Robots for Dynamic Automation
Automation reduces the need for personnel capacities and increases process stability. Yet, the limited flexibility of automation solutions restricts their areas of application. Depending on the use case, the effort for automation may outweigh its benefits.
An innovation from Fraunhofer IAPT now resolves this tension. The institute's experts have developed new mechanisms for robot control. These include sensors, end-to-end data management, and specialized robotic tools, such as interchangeable, precisely produced silicone grippers tailored by additive manufacturing to the component being handled. They enable the flexible use of collaborative robots and simultaneously demonstrate the design freedom of additive designs.
The integration of »Cobots« into production allows for improved connection and automation of multiple steps within a process chain, such as the additive manufacturing process with the preparation and post-processing of the produced components.
»Cobots« after their Premiere in the USA now at automatica 2025
Fraunhofer IAPT first presented the use of »Cobots« in additive production routes at the US trade show Automate 2025 in Detroit, USA, from May 12 to 15, 2025. In Germany, interested parties can now view the application fields of »Cobots« in additive manufacturing at automatica 2025 at the Fraunhofer joint stand (A4 / 319). Experts persons from the research and development team will be on-site to explain the technology behind the innovation and discuss the application fields.
Conventional and Additive Manufacturing Benefit from Digitization
The implementation of digital production techniques enables the linking of various process steps as well as sensors and control algorithms. This opens up the use of dynamic automation solutions for manufacturing companies.
The automation and virtualization solutions from Fraunhofer IAPT are largely transferable to all production processes and reduce production effort. Additive manufacturing benefits disproportionately from the institute's holistic perspective due to mostly low quantities and the high individuality of components.
About Fraunhofer IAPT
The Fraunhofer IAPT stands for sustainable innovations in the field of additive manufacturing. Its portfolio includes research and development along the entire AM manufacturing route – from unique component designs and system solutions, including process and material levels, to factory planning and virtualization. All aspects of the additive manufacturing process are comprehensively considered from the initial idea and feasibility to industrial implementation in new or existing production environments. A particular focus is placed on socially relevant future topics in the fields of life sciences, energy, mobility, as well as security and defense. Our overarching goal is to ensure that additive manufacturing technologies are industrially applied, significantly contributing to increased productivity, resource conservation, resilience, and prosperity.
Press Contact
M.A. Carola Dellmann
Head of Marketing & Communication
Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies IAPT
Am Schleusengraben 14
21029 Hamburg
Email: marketing@iapt.fraunhofer.de
Phone: +49 40 484010-500
Christian Böhm
Automation – Line Integration
christian.boehm@iapt.fraunhofer.de
Imran Ali Khan
Virtualization – E2E Data Formats and Security
imran.ali.khan@iapt.fraunhofer.de
Jan Scheumann
Virtualization – E2E Data Formats and Security, Head of Team
jan.scheumann@iapt.fraunhofer.de
Julian Weber
Automation – Line Integration, Head of Team
julian.ulrich.weber@iapt.fraunhofer.de
Collaborative robots, "Cobots", support the automation of production processes, especially for the d ...
Madison Kepros
Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (CMW)
Premiere at the US trade show Automate 2025: The "Cobots" from Fraunhofer IAPT in use for the automa ...
Madison Kepros
Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (CMW)
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