For the very first time the Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik (IWS) Dresden will present its novel coaxial laser wire deposition head COAXwire for high precision metal deposition procedures at the tradeshow Laser World of Photonics 2013 in Munich. This novel approach is most suitable for the generation and repair of components as well as for the functionalization of surfaces.

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Lasers have long been able to do what traditional welding guns can. Nevertheless, many manufacturers did not dare employ the delicate technology in the raw environment of their assembly floors. At LASER 2013 (Hall C2, Booth 330), researchers will be demonstrating that lasers are robust enough to take over welding duties in fabrication.

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The EU-funded project PLIANT (Process Line Implementation for Applied Surface Nanotechnologies) focuses on the fabrication of aligned carbon nanotubes on electrode surfaces in a roll-to-roll procedure.

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A large proportion of the energy we produce disappears unused into thin air via waste heat. Tiny thermoelectric generators can tap this potential, whereby the electricity is produced by way of temperature differences.

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Electric cars have still got it tough in the German marketplace. They are too expensive and their range is too short. This is an opportune time for a breakthrough in efficient and low-cost lithium-sulfur batteries.

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Precise temperature calibration is of utmost importance to the quality of numerous short-term heat treatment processes. At the Hannover Messe HMI (hall 6, booth B33), taking place from April 8 -12, 2013, Fraunhofer IWS engineers will present novel temperature measuring devices for laser hardening processes, which can be calibrated and recalibrated by the operator directly and on-site.

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In 2012 IWS industrial revenues increased by 30 per cent. Not only does this encouraging growth indicate positive economic development but it also shows the great trust the customers have in our work. Extraordinary growth has been seen in the working group “Carbon Coatings“. This group focuses research on the manufacture of carbon coatings in order to minimize losses due to friction.

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The novel research project “Batterie-Stationär in Sachsen (BaSta)” was kick-started at an initial meeting in Dresden on February 5, 2013. It combines the competencies of four Fraunhofer institutes, the Leibnitz-Institut IFW, the TU Dresden and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg in a unique way to facilitate collaboration in research activities relevant to energy storage systems.

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Meanwhile the laser build-up welding technology is a well industrially established technique for highly precise coating tasks. Thanks to the IWS Dresden powder nozzles, the manufacturing of customized components can be realized up to a detail resolution within the double-digit micrometer range. At this year’s Euromold we presented a variety of powder nozzles and micro components.

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Damaging biocides can be detected on old wooden sculptures, hidden wall paintings can be made visible again and the layered structures of pieces of art analyzed. Using terahertz scanners restorers will soon be able to identify quickly, and completely non-destructively, what is happening with an object of art.

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Dr. Matthias Lütke from the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden received the annual prize of the Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft für Lasertechnik e. V. (WLT - German Scientific Laser Society). He was honoured for the development of a Remote laser cutting technique, a procedure, which caused a world-wide appreciation and sensation.

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Together with the Chair of Production Engineering of the TU Dresden, the Fraunhofer IWS has developed a heat source, which interiorly acts directly in the joining zone, a source which is most suitably tailored to the corresponding joining task. Metals, ceramics, semi-conductors, diamonds and most recently even polymers can be joined with this technology.

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