The Institute of Structures and Design

DLR Institute of Structures and Design in Stuttgart
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DLR Institute of Structures and Design in Augsburg
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The Institute of Structures and Design has set itself a major goal: to lighten the future. At our sites in Stuttgart and Augsburg, we develop high-performance structures for the aerospace, automotive engineering and energy technology sectors that go above and beyond the standards set by conventional developments and deliver real technological advances.

Our work is based on the interplay between high-performance, temperature-resistant materials and the very latest digital technology. This combination allows us to develop new construction methods that open up previously unimagined possibilities in lightweight construction in the areas of assembly, system integration and recycling.

In our five departments and our close, strategic cooperation with the Institute of Materials Research, we push forward technical progress on a daily basis. From the materials we use through to the demonstrators we construct and the automated production processes we develop, we always rely on solutions that are climate friendly, efficient and conserve resources.

INNOVATION IS THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY. WE COMBINE AN INSPIRATIONAL TEAM SPIRIT WITH FORWARD- LOOKING INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS ALLOWS US TO ALWAYS STAY ONE STEP AHEAD.

Our mission

Where conventional developments hinder progress in high-risk areas, we open up previously unimagined paths in lightweight construction. Thanks to our unbridled enthusiasm for research, revolutionary approaches and uncon ventional construction methods, we help our industrial partners to achieve technological breakthroughs. In this way, we help to increase Germany's competitiveness and make aerospace, like other areas of technology, more resource-efficient, climate-friendly, and efficient – and thus more suitable for the future.

Our vision

Revolutionary technologies for aerospace, mobility and energy technology are created because we as an organisation provide optimal conditions for them. When expanding our technical capabilities, we include the entire process chain – starting with the material, through the production of lightweight structures, to full-scale prototyping and integrated data management. We develop our own working methods and digital tools, thereby promoting an open, inspired and lively institute culture. By harmonising technology, people and our organisation, we create a place where we play a decisive role in addressing the great challenges facing the aerospace industry. With this vision, we integrate ourselves into the programmes and strategies of the German Aerospace Center.

We lighten. Everything.

We lighten. Everything.

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We lighten. Everything.

Departments

Automation and Quality Assurance in Production Technology

The Automation and Quality Assurance in Production Engineering department, which also represents ZLP Augsburg, completes the process chain for carbon fiber reinforced plastics. The aim is the end-to-end automation of the production process for manufacturing fiber composite structures.

Component Design and Manufacturing Technologies

The department "Component Design and Manufacturing Technologies" develops monolithic and hybrid lightweight structures and the corresponding manufacturing processes for aircraft, spacecraft as well as for road and rail vehicles.

Ceramic Composites and Structures

In the department „ceramic composite structures“ fibre reinforced ceramic materials as well as lightweight CMC (Ceramic Matrix Composite) structures for extreme applications have been developed since the late 1980`s. Thereby the complete process chain, including material and process development, design, layout and dimensioning and the manufacture of structural parts in original geometry, is available.

Structural Integrity

Aims of the research activities are to develop simulation and test methods and to design aviation structures so that accidents or incidents in the crash and impact category are survivable for occupants. This includes material and structure tests as well as numerical analyses from sample level up to full-scale structures.

Space System Integration

Development work in the Space Systems Integration department concentrates on thermally stable structures. The structural concepts range from maximum temperature applications in thermal protection systems (TPS) and hot primary structures of hypersonic aircraft to step structures, aerodynamic control surfaces and cryogenic tank systems.

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Institute Brochure

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The Institute of Structures and Design has set itself a major goal: to lighten the future. At our sites in Stuttgart and Augsburg, we develop high-performance structures for the aerospace, automotive engineering and energy technology sectors that go above and be- yond the standards set by conventional developments and deliver real technological advances.

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Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Voggenreiter

Head of Institute
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart

Nicole Lützenburger

Managing director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Kupke

Vice Director
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart

Maike Busch

Head of Marketing
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Structures and Design
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart