Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
Assembly process of a printed circuit board
Electronics and Microsystems
From chips in respirators to sensors in brake units - hardly any field of application is as diverse as that of electronics and microsystems. The desire for intelligent systems and efficient products is reinforcing this development. This results in new challenges, but also opportunities for companies.
The trend towards miniaturization in electronics and microsystems technology requires adapted production and automation solutions. For example, accuracies of a few micrometers - in some cases even in the nanometer range - are required in manufacturing and assembly. In addition to the precision of the process, the cleanliness of the production equipment and environment is crucial. Across industries, the need for holistic cleanliness concepts is growing, especially in the assembly of sensitive products. Besides the electronics industry, this affects medical technology, the automotive industry, and aerospace, among others.
Our team at Fraunhofer IPA has profound expertise in the fields of materials, surface technology, microassembly, testing technology, digitization, automation, production control and logistics, as well as cleanroom and cleaning technology. In cooperation with companies and partners, we develop individual solutions and support them in improving competitive positions and opening up new markets.
What we do for industrial companies:
- Develop and improve products, processes and technologies
- Evaluate, test, certify
- Optimise organisations and processes
- Analyse markets, advise on innovations
- Develop business models
We would be happy to discuss your individual tasks, challenges and/or questions with you in person or by telephone - please contact us!
Our Expertises
Coating systems and painting technology
- Pigments and coatings: Developing innovative coatings
- Powder application technology
- Development and testing of coatings for the electrical insulation of electronic components
Image and signal processing
- Quality assurance with 2D image processing
- 3D measurement and recognition
- Computer tomography for measurement and inspection applications
The data obtained can then be evaluated using AI methods.
Center for Cyber Cognitive Intelligence CCI
- Projects offered at low thresholds in the form of Quick Checks (feasibility studies) or Exploring Projects (prototypical implementation)
- Dependable AI methods, including explainability, model validation, verification
- Autonomous planning and decision-making with application for example in process automation and optimisation, quality assurance or production control
Biomechatronic Systems
- Smart wearable sensor systems
- Smart Solutions for Safety and Health
- Motion Control Systems
DigiTools for manufacturing
- Cloud platforms: Reducing IT costs and optimising manufacturing processes
- Manufacturing systems: Production processes in combination with Industry 4.0
- Software development process: development of high-quality, secure and cost-effective software and hardware
Factory planning and production management
- Factory planning and production management
- Technology studies
- Planning manufacturing systems and assembly operations
Sustainable production and quality
- Quality management and optimisation of QM systems
- Preventive maintenance and asset management
- Management of hazardous substances
Ultraclean technology and micromanufacturing
Robot and assistive systems
Center for Additive Manufacturing
- Inline integration of conductive tracks or discrete electronic components in additively printed components and functional groups
- Layout of hybrid process chains e.g. a combination of 3D printing and microassembly
- Support in the selection of suitable 3D printing processes
- Modelling of application-specific process sequences
