Press & Events

Coherent operates a high-performance excimer laser system for processing large surfaces in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen, Germany. Using the short-wave laser system, the partners aim to develop new methods for carefully controlled surface processing. Preparation of CFRP adhesive surfaces is just one example of the numerous potential applications.

The next chapter of the E-VITA success story will be written in Güstrow, Germany, on July 3, 2018. The inauguration of the second plant for seed treatment using low-energy electrons will feature a considerable increase in applicability. For the first time, it will be able to cover all requirements for electron-treated seed.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is launching a highly ambitious undertaking: the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence “ADVANCED PHOTON SOURCES”. The cluster aims to achieve international technological leadership in laser systems that reach maximum performance with ultrashort pulses (USP), as well as researching their potential applications, all in cooperation with Fraunhofer partners. The new systems are proposed to surpass all previous USP lasers by one order of magnitude in average laser power. At the same time, the partners are working on the required system technology as well as promising applications in industry and research.

The use of composite materials for ground transportation will be in the spotlight at an upcoming JEC event, “The Future of Composites in Transportation”, on June 27 and 28, 2018 in Chicago. For the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen, a highlight at the event will be receiving the “Future of Composites in Transportation 2018 Innovation Award” in the category “Passenger Cars”. This accolade honors the development of a hybrid roof bow in collaboration with Weber Fibertech GmbH, Werkzeugbau Siegfried Hofmann GmbH, Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF, SCANLAB GmbH and the BMW Group. In short, this component demonstrates successful implementation of laser processes in lightweight production.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP has succeeded in developing a new technology for the production of ultra-smooth polymer films as part of the "OptiPerm" project. This project received funding from the European Union and the Saxony State Ministry of Economics, Labor and Transport (grand agreement no. 3000651169). The technology, which was previously demonstrated on samples in A4 format, has now been successfully transferred to a roll-to-roll process with even higher surface quality. These results were presented for the first time at the AIMCAL conference in Munich, Germany in June 2018 by Dr. Steffen Günther.

On June 1st, 2018 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed that sealed the partnership between Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST and Feng Chia University, that had already existed since 2014.

The business unit Precision Coatings at Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP has special expertise in developing deposition processes for high-precision coating systems on optical components. Now, a coating technology for deposition of laterally graded optical layers on 2D and in the future also on 3D substrates has been developed. The results will be presented at the 2nd OptecNet Annual Conference in Berlin, June 20-21, 2018.

Visitors to this year’s AKL – International Laser Technology Congress in Aachen, Germany, had the unique chance to see where industrial laser technology stands today and where it will be tomorrow. The congress delivered the full picture of current technologies, from advanced laser sources and new process technologies to a wide range of applications such as Additive Manufacturing or even Quantum Sensing. To research such future topics, several projects have been started, and a whole new “I³ – Integrated Interdisciplinary Institute” has been inaugurated.

Optical free-form systems enable new applications with an extremely compactdesign. Due to the complex technology involved, the production of appropriate solutions was previously impossible or too expensive. The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF has further developed the technology to market maturity. Through collaboration with partners, a comprehensive technology platform has been created.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS has succeeded in increasing the stability of those aircraft engine parts which are subject to stress due to temperature. The IWS process helps to reduce kerosene consumption as well as CO2 emissions. In combination with further measures, significant cost savings result during flight operations. The research project was developed in close cooperation with the engine specialist Rolls-Royce. The first engines with the new technology are already in use.