On November 1, 2016, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Leyens joined the Fraunhofer IWS Dresden Board of Directors as a new member. The 49-year old materials scientist heads the renowned research institute in the fields of laser processing, materials and surface science together with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eckhard Beyer. Both are also institute directors at the TU Dresden.
Until recently Prof. Leyens has been heading the business units “Thermal Surface Technology” and “Additive Manufacturing and Printing“. He has gained worldwide visibility by initiating the international research project “AGENT-3D – Additive-generative Fertigung: Die Revolution der Produktherstellung im Digitalzeitalter”. More than 100 industrial and research partners jointly research innovative solutions in the field of “Additive Manufacturing”. These solutions will help to strengthen Germany’s leadership role in this high technology area. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has supported this project with €45 million within the framework of the program »Zwanzig20 – Partnerschaft für Innovation«.
“Modern research requires comprehensive knowledge beyond individual disciplines. This is especially true for the case, in which research has to make a considerable contribution to society- exactly the kind of applied research being done at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Therefore, I am very happy, to continue the ongoing development research at the Fraunhofer IWS together with my colleague. Our many years of experience in laser and manufacturing technology as well as in materials science perfectly complement our knowledge”, emphasizes Prof. Leyens. Regarding his future work as IWS institute director he points out: “The IWS will face the challenge of the worldwide digitization by focusing, even more now than before, on creating continuous process chains: from the material to the process up to the component. Digital laser materials processing and digital materials technology are essential requirements for reaching our aims.”
“With Prof. Leyens we could gain an internationally renowned expert for the IWS Board of Directors. Now we are, even more effectively, able to support our customers with innovative projects and solutions. Our one-stop solutions improve our position in the international competition”, emphasizes Prof. Beyer, who has been heading the IWS for almost 20 years. During his time the IWS has been continuously growing. Today the IWS has about 400 employees, mostly engineers, scientists and technicians.
Background:
IWS scientists develop customized solutions for industrial applications in Dresden (headquarters), Dortmund, Zwickau, Breslau, Lansing and Plymouth (both USA) .The institute’s core expertise covers the fields of laser materials processing, surface functionalization and coating, special joining technologies, systems technology, process simulation, materials technology and nano technology.
Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS