Fraunhofer and RWTH Aachen launch R&D centre for turbo manufacturing
The Fraunhofer Institutes for Production Technology IPT and Laser Technology ILT, and RWTH Aachen University’s Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) and Chair for Laser Technology (LLT) have launched the International Centre for Turbomachinery Manufacturing ICTM Aachen together with 19 industrial partners. The centre’s activities will focus on research related to the repair and manufacturing of turbomachinery.
“The ICTM was founded to speed up innovation,” stated Prof Fritz Klocke, Director of Fraunhofer IPT and Head of RWTH Aachen’s Chair of Manufacturing Technology at the kick-off meeting. “To this end, it connects experts, joins forces, and provides excellent R&D.”
The industrial partners in the new network include turbine manufacturers as well as corporations and medium-sized companies covering all areas of the value chain. A variety of reasons to join the ICTM network were reported, including by a well-known turbine manufacturer who wants to introduce Additive Manufacturing methods, a machine tool manufacturer who was attracted by the unique form of cooperation, a service provider in the aviation sector looking for cooperation partners and a family-owned company interested in improving the surface quality of aerospace components made from titanium.
At the inaugural meeting, the ICTM industry partners agreed on a ten-member steering committee with representatives from the industrial companies and research institutes. The partners also selected seven collaborative research projects with a budget of around €400,000.
ICTM industry partners currently include:
- ABB Turbo Systems Ltd
- Alicona Imaging GmbH
- BCT Steuerungs- und DV-Systeme GmbH
- DMG Mori Seiki GmbH
- EMAG ECM GmbH
- GF Machining Solutions Agie Charmilles SA
- HAMUEL Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
- IHI Corporation
- KUKA Industries Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik
- Lufthansa Technik AG
- Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd
- MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
- MBFZ toolcraft GmbH
- MTU Aero Engines AG
- Pietro Rosa TBM
- Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
- SLM Solutions GmbH
- Walter AG
