Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation
and Automation IFF

Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation
and Automation IFF

© Uwe Völkner, Fotoagentur FOX

© Uwe Völkner, Fotoagentur FOX

The Latest at the Fraunhofer IFF

© Fraunhofer IFF, Viktoria Kühne

We Design Intelligent Processes. Welcome!

A technology and research partner, we assist companies intent on making Industry 4.0 reality and playing a role the epochal transition to digitalization and automation. We have made it our mission to contribute with our research to sustainable development consonant with environmentally intact, commercially successful and socially equitable development. 

Julia Arlinghaus, Director of Fraunhofer IFF Magdeburg

 

© Fraunhofer IFF

Intelligent Disassembly of Electronics for Remanufacturing and Recycling

In the iDeaR project, we are developing solutions for the efficient dismantling of electronic equipment and for the remanufacturing and recycling of materials. We want to ensure that raw materials are not wasted and that valuable resources are kept in circulation for longer.

Intelligent disassembly of electronics

Statement against extremism

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is firmly committed to global openness, diversity, democracy and the rule of law and unequivocally distances itself from the dehumanizing plans of all extremist parties, organizations and groups. 

Read the statement against extremism
 

© Fraunhofer; Rorozoa, Freepik

Upcoming Events

Meet the Fraunhofer IFF team at these events:

Press Info

ALL PRESS RELEASES

18.3.2025

ADAPT Research Project: Automating Flexibly with an AI-Assisted Picking Solution

Automated bin picking is a major challenge in companies that manufacture a wide variety of products in small lot sizes. Despite their steadily growing automation, many bin picking scenarios still require manual action, be that when handling packaging materials, when parts catch or are reflective or when a bin has to be emptied completely. Cost-effective automation of these processes is growing more important in these times of demographic change and growing skilled labor shortage. Fraunhofer IFF’s research project Adaptive Robotics for Robust Bin Picking and Precise Machine Tending ADAPT comes into play exactly here. The objective is the development of AI-assisted bin picking solutions that can detect, pick and place parts reliably and precisely—even under challenging conditions.
more info

11.3.2025

Autonomous Drone Technology for Safe Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Land mines and unexploded ordnance still pose a lethal danger long after a war’s end and hinder or even prevent the use of entire regions. One third of Ukraine’s territory, for instance, is affected at present and there is urgent need for action to reclaim this land. Together with research and industry partners, Fraunhofer IFF has developed an innovative drone solution that detects unexploded ordnance safely, rapidly and efficiently. The technology combines high-resolution sensor data with autonomous aircraft.
more info

26.2.2025

Automated Zinc Ash Removal in the Hot-Dip Galvanization Process

Workers in the hot-dip galvanization industry are exposed to high safety and health risks during the galvanizing process, especially when they are removing zinc ash manually. The use of automation in the galvanizing process to minimize such risks was studied and tested on a real-world galvanizing furnace in industrial use in a joint research project of the Berufsgenossenschaft Holz und Metall (BGHM, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Woodworking and Metalworking Industries), Fraunhofer IFF and IEHK Steel Institute at RWTH Aachen University.
more info

21.2.2025

Shaping the Future of Work: AI and TVET Experts Gather at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF

The Expert Meeting on AI and TVET, held at Fraunhofer IFF’s Elbfabrik on 18th till 19th of February 2025,under the umbrella of the UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre Magdeburg, a cooperation of Fraunhofer IFF, Otto-von-Guericke University, and GIZ TVET-Academy, brought together over 90 international experts, educators, and industry leaders to discuss how AI is shaping the future of vocational education. With industries rapidly evolving, the demand for AI-skilled workers is increasing, making the integration of AI into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) a global priority.
more info

Activities and Applied Research for Production of Tomorrow

We are focused on all the relevant, pressing and complex challenges of factory operation and automation. We help manufacturing companies transition to intelligent manufacturing. We are the technology partner for designing, developing, equipping and operating work, manufacturing and logistics systems and their supply infrastructures. Our departments cover the entire life cycle of products and industrial production systems. We design work systems in which humans and machines collaborate. We combine these work systems into efficient production and logistics systems and connect them with each other and their environment through intelligent infrastructures.

 

© Fraunhofer IFF, Andreas Süß

Departments

Cutting-Edge Technology for the Mittelstand

Our teams of research scientists have been researching cutting-edge issues, such as the energy transition, climate change, augmented and virtual reality, safe robot use, digital twins and artificial intelligence, for many years long before they became mainstream. Our clients now come to us to prepare themselves for future challenges and to develop efficient, humane and sustainable solutions together with us. We use custom and scalable technologies to bring every business, whether they be major corporations or Mittelstand companies, on board wherever they are in their transition to Industry 4.0. We jointly analyze existing structures, find the right technology, develop the right software and combine everything into integrated, intelligent solutions, thus making cutting-edge technology available to Mittelstand businesses too.

In the process, we look at technologies and processes through our clients’ eyes and envision developments ten or more years in advance. Our broad expertise in hardware is the foundation of our outstanding software and digitalization solutions. We analyze the entire product life cycle from ideation to development and maintenance processes through the end of a product's life and its recycling. Our technological fields complement each other optimally and are modified dynamically in response to market demands.

We create value together with and in businesses and for their locations rapidly, flexibly and always with an eye on the return on investment. Technology may be a means to an end for our clients. It is our passion.

© Fraunhofer IFF, Viktoria Kühne

Fraunhofer IFF

at Sandtorstrasse

Sandtorstrasse 22
39106 Magdeburg, Germany

Phone +49 391 4090-0
Fax +49 391 4090-596
ideen(at)iff.fraunhofer.de

© Fraunhofer IFF, Viktoria Kühne

Elbfabrik of the Fraunhofer IFF

at Port of Science

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Strasse 1
39106 Magdeburg, Germany

Contact and Inquiries

Would you like to learn more about how we are designing the world of work of tomorrow? We develop custom solutions – from feasibility analyses to innovative prototypes through ready-to-use industrial systems and fitting business models – for your needs.

Would you like us to assess your situation and needs? Contact us.

Contact us