On October 28, 2015, the Fraunhofer Institutes for Production Technology IPT and Laser Technology ILT, and RWTH Aachen University’s Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) and Chair for Laser Technology (LLT) launched the International Center for Turbomachinery Manufacturing (ICTM) in Aachen together with 19 renowned industrial partners. The center’s activities will focus on research relating to the repair and manufacturing of turbomachines. “The ICTM was founded to speed up innovation,” explained Prof. Fritz Klocke, Director of Fraunhofer IPT and Head of RWTH Aachen’s Chair of Manufacturing Technology at the kick-off meeting. “To this end, it connects experts, joins forces, and provides excellent R&D.” The industrial partners in the new network include turbine manufacturers as well as corporations and medium-sized companies covering all areas of the value chain. And just as varied as the companies and sectors are the reasons they give for taking part: a well-known turbine manufacturer wants to introduce additive manufacturing methods with the help of the ICTM network; a machine tool manufacturer was attracted by the “unique form of cooperation;” a service provider in the aviation sector is looking for cooperation partners; and a family-owned company is interested in improving the surface quality of aerospace components made of titanium. How well the network already works, despite the different motivations, was demonstrated on the kick-off day. The ICTM industry partners agreed on a ten- member steering committee with representatives from the industrial companies and research institutes, and selected seven collaborative research projects with a budget of around 400 000 euros: for example, the network plans to improve machining processes when using all-ceramic tools and also the final processing of additive manufacturing components.
ICTM industry partners
ABB Turbo Systems Ltd
Alicona Imaging GmbH
BCT Steuerungs- und DV-Systeme GmbH
DMG Mori Seiki GmbH
EMAG ECM GmbH
GF Machining Solutions Agie Charmilles SA
HAMUEL Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
IHI Corporation
KUKA Industries Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik
Lufthansa Technik AG
Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd
MAN Diesel & Turbo SE
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd
MBFZ toolcraft GmbH
MTU Aero Engines AG
Pietro Rosa TBM
Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
SLM Solutions GmbH
Walter AG
