Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA

Operations

© Universität Stuttgart IFF / Fraunhofer IPA, Foto: Rainer Bez, Heike Quosdorf

Together, we will create the productive, digital and sustainable production processes of the future.

In the field of operations, we combine technological expertise with process knowledge and hands-on experience in production. Our goal is always to make production processes more efficient and flexible by taking a comprehensive and systematic approach:

  • We plan networks, from choosing the site to designing the individual workstations.
  • We establish lean processes, from selecting the underlying ERP system to implementing kanban cycles in logistics.
  • We develop flexible production systems, from choosing the technology to conducting feasibility studies.
  • We support transformation projects, from the factory vision to the operational sprint at your site.

Take advantage of our unique combination of research findings and practical experience in factory operations. We are shaping the technologies and trends for the production processes of the future. At the same time, we can apply over 60 years of practical experience from a diverse range of industries and businesses.

We can help you with all of your questions relating to production design and optimization in the processing industry.

Innovative solutions with an impact on operations

Network and factory planning

You can create an efficient and agile overall production network with clear site roles. We will support you during the strategic design of resilient production networks and adaptable factories.

Production and process design

Efficiency in production and administration will provide the competitive advantage of the future. Together, we will develop digital processes for future production systems.

Automated production systems

The answer to the shortage of skilled workers and stagnating productivity is new manufacturing technologies and flexible automation. Together, we will design and test the latest manufacturing technologies and automated production systems.

Lean Management 4.0 and operational excellence

If you want to stay lean and successful in variant manufacturing, you need more than just kanban and 5S. We will help you to resolve bottlenecks and implement agile optimization of your production process. 

We are researching the production processes of the future

 

Matrix production

The matrix combines the efficiency of a cycle-based production line with the flexibility of a workshop.

Together with our customers, we develop innovative assembly structures for variant manufacturing in volatile markets.

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Design chain

The design chain is an integrated CAx process chain that helps you to reduce throughput times and complexity in planning.

Our vision is to create a fully automated solution, from handling individual customer inquiries to selecting the right CAx program for your processing period.

 

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Digitalized value stream for sustainable production

Do you find that analyzing value streams with a paper and pen does not sufficiently capture your production process, with its wide range of variants?

Digitalized value streams combine the comprehensibility of lean production with the digital data sources of state-of-the-art ERP systems. This provides transparency in real time, based on existing data. We identify bottlenecks in productivity and sustainability.

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