Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation
and Automation IFF

Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation
and Automation IFF

Your production faster, safer, more efficient.

We digitize and automate processes—from the initial feasibility analysis to the application-ready solution in your factory. Want to learn more? About our departments:

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© Fraunhofer IFF, Andreas Süß

From idea to series production

We bring research into your production: with digital assistance systems, robotics, logistics solutions, secure energy systems, and future-proof work systems. Our goal: greater efficiency, increased safety, sustainable success.

Our departments:

Industrial Metrology and Digital Assistance

Measurement systems and automation solutions that can be integrated directly into your production process—for precise real-time data, stable processes, and lower costs.

Ensuring process quality

Robotic Systems

Robotics solutions for manufacturing, medicine, healthcare, and critical infrastructure—flexibly adapted to automate processes more safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

Integrate robotics securely

Human-Centered Systems

Technologies for ergonomic and safe workplaces—reducing strain on your employees and increasing productivity and quality.

Logistics and Factory Systems

Customized and integrated solutions that digitally connect production and logistics—for greater efficiency, transparency, and flexibility in your factory.

Optimize factory processes

Energy Systems and Infrastructures

Smart energy systems and digital tools—for a reliable, efficient, and climate-friendly supply across all sectors.

Securing energy supplies

Contact and Inquiries

Whether you have a specific project idea or are just looking for initial guidance, we will find the right solution for your needs.

Get an initial assessment from our experts—quickly and easily.

Contact us

Knowledge and solutions for your practice

 

© 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

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.
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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.
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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.
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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

Your partner for intelligent production

We support companies in making factory operations and automation more efficient, safer, and more sustainable, and accompany manufacturing companies on their path to intelligent production. We are a technology partner for the planning, development, equipping, and operation of work, production, and logistics systems, as well as their supporting infrastructures. Our departments cover the entire life cycle of products and industrial production systems. We design work systems in which humans and machines work together. We combine these work systems to form efficient production and logistics systems and network them with each other and their environment via intelligent infrastructures.

Direct access and information for ...

 

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Companies and business customers

Application-oriented solutions for your production—from initial analysis to integration into existing systems.

Implementing solutions together
 

© Gorodenkoff, Adobestock

Scientists and doctoral candidates

Research with impact: Work on industrial and collaborative projects at the interface between science and application.

Help shape research
 

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Students

Internships, theses, dual study programs, or jobs as research assistants—join us in real research and industry projects.

Discover opportunities
 

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Media and public relations

Latest news, press releases, images, and background information on our research and development work, projects, and events.

Communicating research

Our locations

© 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

Direct line to our experts

Would you like to clarify a specific issue or receive an initial assessment of your project?

Our department heads are experienced contacts who are available to assist you and work with you to develop tailor-made solutions.

Talk directly to experts