The study trip was organised by EIT Manufacturing, a European knowledge and innovation community founded in 2019 and co-financed by the European Union. EIT Manufacturing aims to improve people's lives through sustainable manufacturing. JOANNEUM RESEARCH has been an active partner of this innovation community since its foundation.
In his welcoming address, Managing Director Heinz Mayer emphasised that JOANNEUM RESEARCH, as an applied research company, plays a special role in connecting science and industry and in leveraging synergies. ‘We are not only a driving force in the research community nationally, but also internationally, and a sought-after cooperation partner, for example in European Union programmes such as Horizon Europe, ESA or EDF. International cooperation and mutual knowledge transfer are the key to the further development of research and industry,’ Mayer continued.
During the visit, the capabilities of the DIGITAL Hyperspectral Imaging Lab were demonstrated. The directors of MATERIALS and ROBOTICS presented the expertise and research activities of their institutes, particularly in the areas of production and manufacturing:
- Matthias Rüther, Director of the DIGITAL Institute, presented the institute's main areas of focus in the field of digital technologies. Particular attention was paid to quality assurance and precise process monitoring in production and manufacturing.
- Paul Hartmann, Director of the MATERIALS Institute, presented innovative developments in the field of laser production and sensor technology that are used in manufacturing and industry.
- Anton Scheibelmasser, director of the ROBOTICS institute, presented the institute's expertise and its cooperation models. The presentation was enriched by examples from funded research projects (EIT, FFG, KWF, Horizon Europe).
The study trip provided an excellent platform for the exchange between research and industry and emphasised the high innovation potential of the region. The visit highlights the role of JOANNEUM RESEARCH as a central partner for industrial research and international cooperation.