Novel Machine Systems for MERGE Technologies

The need to conserve raw materials and energy renders the resource efficiency of manufacturing processes and products a central competitive factor for Germany. Combined technologies offer promising approaches to improving resource and energy efficiency by merging discrete manufacturing methods in the production of lightweight structures. Compared to classic, assembly-oriented manufacturing, a technological fusion of metal-, plastics- and textile-processing techniques can reduce heat, friction and mechanical energy and, therefore, can significantly lower CO2-emissions. The savings are the result of the reduction of process energy; for example, through the coupling and parallelization of manufacturing steps as well as shortening cycle times.