The cooperation of the Fraunhofer IWS, Dresden and the TU Wroclaw demonstrates that the whole issue is more than the sum of its components, Prof. E. Beyer, director of the IWS, emphasized in his inaugural address. The IWS scientists are very experienced in the development of laser technologies and the researchers of the TU Wroclaw are highly specialized in manufacturing and process technologies. Together they can explore and develop new technology areas. To develop new prototyping techniques require joint competences.

Poland is not only because of its direct neighborhood to Germany or because of its high economic growth of utmost importance, but also because its high research potential. The readiness of the Polish science is well known and has got a long tradition. That is a fact, we are going to tie in, Prof. Buller pointed out during the inauguration. With the Wroclaw University of Technology we gain a very strong partner. The project center represents the first Fraunhofer cooperation in Poland – a cutting edge for the German-Polish collaboration in the field of applied research.

Networking creates synergies. This fact accelerates the idea to a ready innovation, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Buller, board of the Fraunhofer research planning, explained. This does not only count for the cooperation of the Fraunhofer institutes among themselves but also within the context of the continuously developing European research landscape. Several Fraunhofer cooperation activities with European research facilities support this experience.

The principle of rapid-prototyping is quite easy. A draft, provided with the computer, is realized into a three-dimensional form. A laser beam builds up this form spot for spot and layer for layer. Its energy melts metal grains, hardens plastics or sinters ceramics.

The enormous challenge, however, is to create the desired form more quickly and with exactly the quality and the physical properties, the customer demands. This task can only be solved if laser experts, manufacturing engineers and material scientists join their knowledge. The laser beam has to be focused, positioned and moved with utmost accuracy. Component properties such as hardness, flexibility and stiffness can be optimized by systematic material development, i.e. by addition of nano-materials.

At the Fraunhofer Project Center German and Polish researchers will bundle their know-how, in order to continuously develop and perfect rapid-prototyping technologies. For example, one project aims at the expansion of rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing with the aim to develop generating fabrication processes for individualized single production.
From Wroclaw the team means to develop international markets. Potential customers are automotive suppliers and manufacturers of household and electro appliances in East and West.  The location Wroclaw is really an ideal one, since it is not only a joint between Eastern and Western Europe but also a city, in which 130 000 students live, many of them prospective engineers. And we hope to gain the best for Fraunhofer.