Fraunhofer Lighthouse Project Go Beyond 4.0

Innovation of serial production with digital printing and laser processes

New technologies to differentiate and increase the efficiency of production

The current globally implemented production concept is all about the mass production of identical products to maximize production efficiency. Beyond this production concept, the markets of the future (including automotive, aviation and lighting) express the need to manufacture individualized products while maintaining the manufacturing efficiency of mass production. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has set itself the task of expanding German competence in mechanical and plant engineering in order to secure the future of the country in the face of growing international competition and to meet the needs of the markets.

The Fraunhofer lighthouse project »Go Beyond 4.0« focuses on the provision of new technologies to differentiate and increase the efficiency of the production of individualized products, in particular the integration of the digital manufacturing technologies printing and laser processes into existing, increasingly networked mass production environments.

To meet these objectives, the expertises of six leading Fraunhofer Institutes have been combined. The project consortium consists of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU. In addition, the competences of the Fraunhofer Groups Microelectronics, Production, MATERIALS and Light & Surfaces have been combined.