FORWERKZEUG

BAVARIAN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FLEXIBLE TOOLS

Logo FORWERKZEUG

The association

The objective of ForWerkzeug is to develop novel technologies and machine concepts for tool design and production. The participating research facilities include three institutes of the Technische Universität München (TUM), two institutes of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and the Bayerisches Laserzentrum (BLZ). 35 industrial partners contribute manpower and funding to the 10 projects of ForWerkzeug. Companies of this industrial sector have to compete with countries of low wages. The current methods and procedures used in the tooling industry do not always meet the challenging production requirements of tomorrow. Flexibility, cost reduction and strong competition with countries of low wages are aspects of special interest. Shorter product development cycles, increased product life time and partial reuse of existing tools are potential solutions in this situation. The projects of ForWerkzeug handle the aspects of design, manufacturing and quality assurance in tool systems for metal forming and assembly processes. Three committees are responsible for the interdisciplinary exchange of expertise within the consortium: surface and abrasion, modeling and simulation, and rapid technologies. Optimized Economics The research aims to cut down on tool production costs through a holistic strategy comprising surface optimization, accuracy and flexibility features. Scientists develop novel concepts for the construction of flexible and modular tool systems and improve existing technologies in cooperation with the industry. Sensor technology enables the production of intelligent tool systems with longer lifetime and higher robustness. Preventive and predictive quality assurance techniques play a key role. Not only flexible tool design and construction but also flexibility in production parameters, such as accuracy levels, leads to optimal economics: as accurate as necessary, as inaccurate as possible.

Information

Launching date

11.2004

End

01.2008