Manufacturers are working to meet customer demands for a broader array of product variations and derivations. The objective of the Fraunhofer IAO’s research on digital production is to implement an integrated digital process from the inception of an idea through to production, supported by continuous data and workflows. The research will ensure a product can be manufactured to its standards before actual production begins, and thereby minimize the number of iteration loops required, while improving the quality of the product and its processes.
“Our goal is to use IAO’s own developments, based on the state-of-the-art software solutions from Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA, to create innovative modules that support individual activities in the product and production cycle, so that these modules can then be used successfully in digital production, with particular consideration for virtual reality,” explains Professor Dieter Spath, Dr.-Ing., director, Fraunhofer IAO.
While many industry leaders have recognized the significance of digital production, mid-market companies still do not fully take advantage of its potential for designing, networking and operating product and production-related processes. Impressed with the success of its collaboration with DELMIA, the Fraunhofer Institute joined forces with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry for Science, Research and Art to form the "Digital Production Innovation Cluster.” Under the direction of the Fraunhofer IAO, the cluster specifically promotes the acceleration of innovation processes in this area.
The Fraunhofer IAO uses DELMIA Process Engineer for integrated product and process planning and DELMIA DPM Assembly for digital simulation of assembly process planning. The integrated product and process database is the core element in this dynamic mix, accelerating data transfer throughout each process segment. For material flow simulations, the researchers use DELMIA Quest.
Fraunhofer IAO is also using a Dassault Systèmes Virtual Ergonomics solution in the design of futuristic workstations.
“The DELMIA Human solution for ergonomic studies has shown itself to be highly advanced. It supports ergonomic analyses very well,” says Professor Spath. “We want to use virtual reality to make the ergonomic design process for assembly workstations a more tangible experience.”
About the Fraunhofer Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft und Organisation (IAO)
Through its close cooperation with the Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft und Technologie management (IAT) of the University of Stuttgart, the Fraunhofer IAO combines fundamental university research, application-oriented science and practical economic experience. Under joint direction of the institute, over 200 employees --- primarily engineers, computer scientists, economists and social scientists --- work together in an interdisciplinary manner at the Fraunhofer IAO and IAT. More than 10,500 square meters of modern offices, laboratories and demonstration centers are available for carrying out contract research. www.iao.fraunhofer.de/
The Digital Production innovation cluster is a joint initiative between the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, the state of Baden-Württemberg and numerous industrial companies. The purpose of the innovation cluster is to use the benefits of digital production through close collaboration between science, research and economics to preserve and improve the competitiveness of producing companies. www.digitaleProduktion.fraunhofer.de.
About Dassault Systèmes
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systèmes’ shares are listed on Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) and Dassault Systèmes’ ADRs may be traded on the US Over-The-Counter (OTC) market (DASTY). For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.
CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.
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