Research infrastructure ZLP Augsburg

Here you will find an overview of our research infrastructure at our Augsburg site.

Hot press

The DLR Centre for Lightweight Production Technology in Augsburg has a thermoplastic cell (TPZ) for investigating the production of thermoplastic components in large quantities. In addition to a temperature-resistant robot on a linear axis, the centrepiece of the system is the hot press.

Oven systems

The ZLP has three furnace systems for the production of fibre-reinforced components or assemblies. This takes place by means of vacuum infiltration with thermosetting resins or by means of vacuum consolidation of high-performance thermoplastics.

Multifunctional cell (MFC)

The ZLP conducts research into the automation and holistic optimisation of production processes for lightweight structures. The focus is on the robot-assisted production of fibre composite components for the aerospace industry.

Cutting center

A cutter centre was installed at the Augsburg site to support highly automated pick-and-place processes for large aerospace structures. Various materials such as dry fibre or thermoplastic fabrics can be cut either sequentially or in a nesting-optimised manner.

Fibre Placement Cell (FPC)

The Augsburg site has had a new, unique research facility since March 2020. The Fibre Placement Cell (FPZ) is used for research into tape and fibre placement processes such as automated fibre placement.

Inline quality assurance cell (IQC)

The production of high-performance lightweight structures requires full control over materials and the production process. Inline-capable quality assurance processes are increasingly taking centre stage here. The IQZ enables process development, customisation and testing to be carried out directly on an industrial robot.

Water jet cutting system

For cutting special materials such as fibre-reinforced plastics, ceramics, foams, hybrid coating materials made of metal and non-metallic materials, cutting with high-pressure water jets up to 6000 bar with pure water or with abrasive water jets has established itself as particularly suitable.

Technology Testing Centre (TEC)

The technology testing cell (TEZ) consists of two Kuka Quantec KR210 R3100 robots, which are mounted on a shared eight-metre-long linear axis. The system also has enough space to carry out tests with large moulds.

Thermoplast Cell (TPC)

Our institute at the Augsburg site has a thermoplastic cell (TPZ) for investigating the production of fibre-reinforced thermoplastic structures.