German Research Institute Fraunhofer IAO to Improve Processes and Workflow with Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA

Innovative Program Aims to Increase Product Quality & Efficiency in Processes

Auburn Hills, Mich., USA, June 3rd, 2009 – Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that the Stuttgart, Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO relies on software solutions from its DELMIA brand for research on digital production.

Manufacturers are working to meet customer demands for a broader array of product variations and derivations. The objective of the Fraunhofer IAO’s research on digital production is to implement an integrated digital process from the inception of an idea through to production, supported by continuous data and workflows.  The research will ensure a product can be manufactured to its standards before actual production begins, and thereby minimize the number of iteration loops required, while improving the quality of the product and its processes.   

“Our goal is to use IAO’s own developments, based on the state-of-the-art software solutions from Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA, to create innovative modules that support individual activities in the product and production cycle, so that these modules can then be used successfully in digital production, with particular consideration for virtual reality,” explains Professor Dieter Spath, Dr.-Ing., director,  Fraunhofer IAO.

While many industry leaders have recognized the significance of digital production, mid-market companies still do not fully take advantage of its potential for designing, networking and operating product and production-related processes.  Impressed with the success of its collaboration with DELMIA, the Fraunhofer Institute joined forces with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry for Science, Research and Art to form the "Digital Production Innovation Cluster.” Under the direction of the Fraunhofer IAO, the cluster specifically promotes the acceleration of innovation processes in this area.

The Fraunhofer IAO uses DELMIA Process Engineer for integrated product and process planning and DELMIA DPM Assembly for digital simulation of assembly process planning.  The integrated product and process database is the core element in this dynamic mix, accelerating data transfer throughout each process segment.  For material flow simulations, the researchers use DELMIA Quest.

Fraunhofer IAO is also using a Dassault Systèmes Virtual Ergonomics solution in the design of futuristic workstations.

“The DELMIA Human solution for ergonomic studies has shown itself to be highly advanced. It supports ergonomic analyses very well,” says Professor Spath. “We want to use virtual reality to make the ergonomic design process for assembly workstations a more tangible experience.”