Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
The use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) in the production chain characterizes product development and production today:
By using advanced CAD/CAM software for modeling and process planning, we can design, model and analyze products and processes faster. Simulations and analyses of products and processes in the software environment reveal problems in production before high costs are incurred through try-and-error. In this way, errors can be systematically reduced as early as the prototype construction stage and reworking can be prevented through adapted processing strategies.
This makes it possible to master even the most demanding design tasks: They facilitate communication between different teams and departments and promote cross-location collaboration between companies. Changes in design and production processes can be documented transparently via digital change management.
dPart: Framework for the digital twin
The digital twin is an important tool for analysing processes and accelerating process development and optimization in individual and series production. It not only includes data from CAD, but is also supplemented by models, operating and process data.
We have developed the "dPart" framework for the efficient and user-friendly presentation and processing of this data, which is continuously being expanded and optimized.
Simulations and models for analyzing and evaluating production
In addition, we have developed simulation and technology models that enable us to comprehensively evaluate time, costs, quality and sustainability in product development and production. Among other things, we use these models to analyze the behavior of CNC controls, simulate the interaction between tool and workpiece as well as various process states such as cutting force, tool wear and component distortion.