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The Near-Net-Shape Production Technologies Division of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Advanced Materials IFAM works in contract research in the following areas:

To industrial customers, the Near Net Shape Manufacturing Division offers complete research and development services like

- Market analysis
- Feasibility study
- Production of prototype series for market start-up
- Know-how transfer
- Design of a production plant
- Training of personnel
- Support for build-up of production plant
- Support for start-up of production
- Quality assurance by testing, analysing and evaluating products and production line
- Continuous know-how transfer on new developments

The main objectives for IFAM's work are minimisation of material and energy consumption as well as cost-benefit optimisation. IFAM is working fully confidential and provides its customers with original data throughout the whole period of process development.

The Institute employs about 270 people, and more than half of the staff are scientists, PhD candidates and student workers with diploma. All research and development work is carried out in a building with nearly 8,000 mē office and lab space.

With its core competencies Near-Net-Shape Manufacturing and Industrial Bonding, the Institute counts among Europe's biggest neutral and independent research facilities. It is one of 57 members of the non-profit Fraunhofer Society.