The Information Processing department develops and implements system and application solutions for information processing in interaction with technical processes. Research and development work focuses on intelligent quality techniques for zero-defect production, knowledge-based information technology for modern automation systems and flexible production technologies for efficient low volume manufacturing. Our range of services extends from feasibility studies through to product integration.

Measurement and testing

• X-ray-based computer tomography
• Infra-red thermography for the inspection of surfaces / boundary layers
• Spatially resolved near-infrared spectroscopy for surface inspection / contamination detection
• White light interferometry for topographic measurement
• Atomic force microscopy for examining nanostructures
• Moiré projection method for 3D object imaging
• Optical coordinate metrology

Machine vision

• Camera-based image processing for object and position recognition, surface inspection, assembly, integrity testing
• Optical 3D measurement technology for testing shape / geometry in the production process
• 3D image processing for robotics / automation
• Algorithmic solutions and software development for 3D data processing

Process monitoring and quality prediction

• Optimization and modeling of technical processes with mathematical methods
• Classification and prediction of technical signals
• Learning inspection systems and self-adaptive fault detection
• Quality-based process forecasting and control
• Sensor applications in quality technology, sensor and data fusion

Flexible production technologies and reverse engineering

• 3D printing technologies for functional surfaces in nano- and biotechnology
• High-pressure water jet technology (cutting, cleaning, deburring)
• 3D component digitization for design, prototyping and quality control
• Process chain design for flexible production and rapid manufacturing (RPM)
• Product development and design of low volume products (RPM)
• Recording and digitizing of design-relevant structures on components / drawings (reverse engineering)

Special R&D services

• 3D metrology:
  Implementation of 3D algorithms in commercial software products, contract measurements
• Machine vision:
  Realization and integration of machine vision systems in production facilities

Projects, Products and R&D Services:

SIARAS – Skill-based Inspection and Assembly for Reconfigurable Automation Systems (EU Project – STREP)

• Development of reconfigurable automation systems for variant-rich, low-volume manufacturing and highly automated production lines
• Development of protocols which transfer the specific technical capabilities of subsystems such as sensors, robots, handling modules etc. to master control systems

DETECT – New Product Design and Engineering TEchnologies based on next Generation Computed Tomography (EU Project – STREP)

• Development of software and hardware modules for X-ray-based 3D computer tomography (CT)
• New software modules: processing and conditioning of CT data volumes

SmartVision – 3D Perception with Smart Pixel Sensors (Joint project “InnoNet” under the auspices of the German Ministry of Economics and Labor)

• Development of 3D image interpretation techniques for the automation, security / surveillance and mobile system sectors
• Real time-capable object recognition and object tracking in range images

Biochip from the laser printer

• New process for the manufacture of peptide arrays (Cooperation with the German Cancer Research Center DKFZ)
• Special laser printer with 20 printing mechanisms which in a highly accurate, high-throughput process applies any required combinations of 20 different amino acids to a sample carrier
• Production of peptide arrays with a significantly higher number of peptides (more than 155,000) in a considerably shorter time than previous processes