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Hybrid and additive manufacturing processes of large parts
【Bio】
Fraunhofer is a very high-level private R&D organization with more than 60 institutes with very good reputation.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Brückner
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Brückner is a renowned German expert and academic leader in the field of Additive Manufacturing (3D printing), with a specialized focus on Directed Energy Deposition technologies.
Current Positions:
University of Applied Sciences Mittweida: Professor and Head of the research group "Additive Manufacturing and Laser Technology".Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS: Director of the Business Unit "Additive Manufacturing". The Fraunhofer IWS is a leading German and international research institution in laser and material technologies.Chemnitz University of Technology: Adjunct Professor.Education and Professional Background: Prof. Brückner has a strong background in engineering. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), where he also earned his doctorate (Dr.-Ing.). Prior to his academic career, he gained substantial practical experience in industry (e.g., at Daimler AG), ensuring his research maintains strong relevance to industrial applications.
Core Research Areas: His research focuses on industrial metal additive manufacturing technologies, particularly:
1. Laser Material Deposition: Including Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) and Wire-based Laser Metal Deposition (WLMD). This technology is used for manufacturing and repairing large, complex components, as well as developing functionally graded materials.
2. Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing.
3. In-situ Monitoring and Control of AM Processes: Dedicated to enhancing process stability and part quality through advanced sensors and closed-loop control systems.
4. Development of New Materials and Processes: Promoting the application of AM in high-end sectors such as aerospace, automotive, tooling, and energy.
Impact and Contributions: As the Director of the Business Unit at Fraunhofer IWS, Prof. Brückner plays a pivotal role in bridging cutting-edge academic research with industrial transformation. He leads teams engaged in numerous collaborative projects with industrial partners, transferring innovative lab-scale technologies to practical production. He also serves as an advisor and participant in major research projects funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), actively shaping Germany's additive manufacturing strategy within the context of digital production and Industry 4.0.
Furthermore, he is actively involved in academic dissemination. Through a substantial number of professional publications, conference presentations, and the supervision of PhD students, he makes significant contributions to educating the next generation of engineers and advancing technological progress in the field.
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