Fraunhofer USA
Fraunhofer USA

Automate North America

Fraunhofer USA, Inc., in collaboration with our global partner, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, partners with industry, universities, and state and federal governments to conduct contract research projects. We specialize in solving high-tech challenges by utilizing world-class scientific and engineering expertise. Our work includes designing and developing prototypes, establishing and validating manufacturing processes, and bridging the gap between fundamental research and market-driven innovations. Through these efforts, we advance new developments along the technology readiness spectrum.

Our applied research services have a significant societal impact by driving innovation, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Fraunhofer USA, Inc. and Fraunhofer -Gesellschaft are nonprofit Research & Development organizations. 

We look forward to connecting with you to discuss your specific requirements.

Join our colleague, Hendrik Rentsch, Head of Department Machine Tool Technology, Fraunhofer IWU:

Session Topic: AI & Smart Automation; Material Removal, Grinding & Abrasives

  • Date: 22 June 2026
  • Session Title: Smart Machine Tools: Intelligent Components for Cognitive Production
  • Time: 1:30- 2:15 p.m. CT

For this and the full conference details click HERE 

 

Products

  • Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
  • End-of-Arm Tooling
  • Industrial IoT/IIoT/Industry 4.0
  • Lasers/Laser Equipment/Laser Systems
  • Material Handling Equip./Conveyors/Workholding
  • Metrology Equipment/Test/Quality Control
  • Robots - Industrial
  • Sensors & Sensor Integrated Systems
  • Vision Systems

Services

  • Design Services
  • Engineering Services
  • Research
  • System Integration - Automation
  • System Integration - Robotics
  • System Integration - Vision

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Innovations

What can we do for you?

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smartNOTCH – Monitoring Forming Processes

Small sensors installed in T-slots transform forming presses into data sources. These robust sensors can be retrofitted in minutes and detect even the slightest process changes. The innovative smartNOTCH system can be used for process, machine, and quality monitoring.

  • Easy to retrofit
  • Highly robust
  • Low cost
  • High sensitivity

For specific details CLICK HERE 

© Fraunhofer USA CMI
Fiber Optic Gyroscope Coil Winding: A custom-designed automated machine for rapid fiber optic coil winding for strategic, navigation, and tactical grade gyroscopes.

While fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) have several advantages over ring-laser gyroscopes, the difficulty of cost-effectively winding a high performance sensing coil has kept the cost of FOGs excessively high. In order to cost-reduce the manufacture of FOGs, Fraunhofer USA CMI developed a high-precision, computer controlled winder for the production of navigation and strategic-grade sensing coils. With over 15 coordinated servo-controlled axes, the winder is capable of cost-effectively winding, with minimal touch-labor, strategic grade coils for long-range navigation and space applications.

A Custom Designed Machine

This machine was customized for a number of large defense contractors, including Honeywell Corporation, and builds upon a long-standing relationship between Fraunhofer USA CMI and the world's premier fiber-optic gyroscope manufacturers.

Technical Summary

  • Developed an automated, ultra-precision coil winder
  • Cost reduced the production of fiber optic gyroscope-sensing coils
  • Decreased winding time significantly while increasing quality and performance
  • Included error detection and correction
  • Achieved dynamic tension control within ±0.5 grams @ 60 RPM
  • Achieved steady-state tension resolution of 0.05 grams
  • Achieve winding speed of 30+ m/min 

For more details CLICK HERE

Digitalization in Forming Technology

© Fraunhofer IWU

Fraunhofer IWU is driving the future of manufacturing by integrating digital technologies into processes for sheet and bulk metal forming. We focuse on innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, precision, and sustainability in production.

  • Process-integrated material testing
  • Sensor and actuator technology in tools
  • Hybrid process models

For more details CLICK HERE

Wire COAX Quattro Clad – a laser cladding optic that uses four wires simultaneously to deposit a metal layer. It can be used for repair or additive manufacturing, and can be combined with an EMAQS system for laser process monitoring. 

Visit Fraunhofer USA CMW webpage for more deatils

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  • LAwave – Laser Acoustic Test system that determines coating characteristics nondestructively. 

    Fraunhofer USA CMW is proud to offer a unique laser acoustic wave spectroscopy system (LAwave®) used for fast and non-destructive characterization of coatings and surfaces.

    For more detail visit Fraunhofer USA CMW 

  • smartTOOL – Intelligent Toolholder

    smartTOOL is a sensor-integrated toolholder for highly sensitive monitoring of process forces and vibrations in direct proximity to the process.

    • Comprehensive information about process, tool condition and part quality
    • High sampling rates (up to 10 kHz) and wireless, low-latency data transmission
    • Permanent, wireless energy supply via patented energy harvesting solution
    • Contour and rigidity like standard tool holder
    • Universally adaptable for all standardized spindle and tool interfaces

    For specific details CLICK HERE

  • Automated Tissue Homogenization

    Tissue Homogenization System

    The Potential of Living Cells

    Tissue dissociation separates tissue into individual, living cells that are essential to modern biomedical and industrial research. These cells enable scientists to study disease pathways, test new drugs, and ensure safety in areas such as food and diagnostics. Traditional methods rely on manual cutting, grinding, or enzyme digestion. While effective, these approaches are slow, variable, and difficult to standardize, creating challenges for high-throughput workflows and compliance. Fraunhofer USA CMI delivers faster, more reproducible results to address this critical bottleneck.

     

    Applications

    Fraunhofer USA’s automated tissue dissociation service supports a wide range of fields:

    • Biomedical research: Preparation of primary cells for studying disease models and cellular responses
    • Regenerative medicine: Extraction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from sources such as umbilical cord tissue
    • Pharmaceutical development: Rapid preparation of single-cell suspensions for drug discovery, screening, and toxicology
    • Food safety and diagnostics: Tissue homogenization to support microbial and  quality testing

    For details CLICK HERE

  • Inline Inspection System

    © Fraunhofer IWU

    XEIDANA: The AI-driven software for 100% inline inspection across diverse components, handling unknown and varied defects effortlessly.

    • Inline quality monitoring based on anomaly detection
    • Easy to expand 
    • Inline belt speed up to 1 m/s possible
    • Augmented reality

    For specific details CLICK HERE

 

© Fraunhofer USA

Fraunhofer USA

Competencies
  • Custom Bioengineering 
  • Energy & Industrial Engineering &  Automated Systems
  • High-power Laser Processing
  • Advanced Materials & Surface Engineering
  • AI-robustness 
  • Near-Edge AI capabilities in Industry 
 

Fraunhofer IWU

The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU is your innovation-driven partner for research and development in production engineering. Around 670 highly qualified employees work at our locations in Germany.  We unlock potential for competitive manufacturing, across industries like automotive, aerospace, electrical engineering, and precision engineering.