Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Research Center STEX

Department of Systems and Technologies for Textile Structures (STEX)

The STEX Research Centre is concerned with the application-oriented development of innovative technologies and systems. In close cooperation with industrial partners, the research and development focus is on new textile machines, technologies and interfaces for fiber-reinforced semi-finished products, in-line textile processes for near-net-shape structures, technologies for textile and plastic-based manufacturing processes, and preform technologies for bionically reinforced lightweight structures.

© Fraunhofer IWU

STEX Open Car-Concept (SOCC)

Common approaches for automotive lightweight solutions
The SOCC will provide a communication and research platform for implementing and testing visionary solutions for automotive lightweight construction in partnership. Institutes and companies with R & D activities in this area are invited to participate.

© Fraunhofer IWU

Interal construction with lapad-path-adapted structures

Carbon fibres (CF) establish the highest lightweight potentials, being comparatively expensive at the same time. This gives rise to the quest for the best possible utilisation of the load-bearing ability of these fibres. At the STEX research centre, mixed-composites construction methods are being developed where the CF will be employed only for the high-loaded paths. For the other regions of the part however, the priceworthy composites will be preferred.

© Fraunhofer IWU

Automated preforming of fiber-reinforced semi-finished products

Fast and automated preforming enables the large-scale processing of prepregs and organo-sheets. The STEX Research Centre of the Fraunhofer supports their industry partners with the conception, simulation and technological implementation of the success-critical value-added chains. 

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Direct impregnation with thermoplastic matrix

Pre-impregnated semi-finished products enable short cycle times and a high extent of reproducibility in fabrication processes. Impregnation of thermoplasts in complex semi-finished products with load-path adapted reinforcements gives rise to new challenges. At STEX Research Centre, large-scale capable impregnation technologies are being developed and executed in application.

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Integration of Smart Textiles

At the STEX Research Centre, the textile-sensor semi-finished products are being developed and employed in applications such as structural health monitoring of high-performance composite parts through structure-integrated measurements of  Strain, Temperature, Humidity or Fluid level, etc. Beyond that, work over the large-scale solutions for the embedment of such sensors in fibre-reinforced composites manufacturing, is in progress.

 

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Load-path adapted construction and optimization

At the STEX Research Centre, load-path-adapted parts are designed and constructed. This enables the high-performance composite materials to be utilized with mechanical efficiency and to achieve a higher standards of light-weight.

Out off the load-path regions, the use of simpler materials bring significant cost benefits.

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Additive Manufacturing

At the Kunststoffzentrum Oberlausitz, functional prototypes and lightweight structures are created, designed and manufactured using additive manufacturing processes. The latest laser sintering and melting layer processes guarantee speed and flexibility in implementation. Research focuses on material development, efficiency improvement, resource conservation and function integration.
-> Highspeed-3D-printer for High Performance Plastics

-> Information about ultra-fast 3D-printer using standard granules

At the Kunststoffzentrum Oberlausitz, functional prototypes and lightweight structures are created, designed and manufactured using additive manufacturing processes. The latest laser sintering and melting layer processes guarantee speed and flexibility in implementation. Research focuses on material development, efficiency improvement, resource conservation and function integration.

© Fraunhofer IWU

Recycling management

The STEX Group offers its customers solutions for sustainable process chains by designing processes that are suitable for recycling, e.g. through modularization of products, standardized interfaces as well as detachable joints and an adapted selection of materials.
On the priniple of "Digital Twin"-based remanufacturing and efficient repair and modification concepts, customers receive future-oriented solutions.
 

The STEX Group offers its customers solutions for sustainable process chains by designing processes that are suitable for recycling, e.g. through modularization of products, standardized interfaces as well as detachable joints and an adapted selection of materials.
On the basis of "Digital Twin"-based remanufacturing and efficient repair and modification concepts, customers receive sustainable solutions.

Contact to the STEX Research Centre

Reichenhainer Str. 88

09126 Chemnitz

Phone +49 371 5397-1020