The Institute
The Centre for Lightweight Production Technology (ZLP) is a national DLR facility with two research sites in Augsburg and Stade. The focus there is on the automated production of components made from carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) for the aerospace, transport and energy sectors.
Several DLR institutes work together at the ZLP: the Institute of Structures and Design, the Institute of Lightweight Structures and the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics. This enables DLR to map the entire CFRP engineering process chain - from material to automated production.
With unique, multifunctional large-scale facilities, the ZLP develops strategies for the cost-effective and high-quality production of large CFRP components. All process steps are analysed, integrated and mapped with the corresponding technical infrastructure on an industrial scale. This infrastructure is also available to customers in order to develop and validate production processes together with the DLR in a demand-orientated and flexible manner.
Research for aerospace, automotive engineering and wind power
Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is used as a material to manufacture the next generation of commercial aircraft - lighter in weight, more economical in fuel consumption and more environmentally friendly.
CFRP is also on the rise in the automotive industry and in the manufacture of rotor blades for wind turbines. The increasing demand requires economical production methods of the highest quality. The ZLP conducts research on an industrial scale in order to be able to react individually and flexibly to the special requirements of the respective industry.