Press & Media

A new term was coined recently at the “5th Conference of the ICTM International Center for Turbomachinery Manufacturing Aachen”, which was held on February 6 and 7, 2019. Some 200 participants from 18 countries discussed the best ways to achieve an “ecolonomic” form of turbomachinery manufacturing and deployment – in other words one that reduces both their cost and environmental impact.

Over 200 experts from 18 countries converged in Aachen 6-7 February for the fifth conference of the ICTM International Center for Turbomachinery Manufacturing Aachen. Speakers from some of the leading companies in the sector reported on current developments and future-oriented technologies for the manufacture and uses of turbomachines and their components in aerospace and power generation.

Digitalization of the production process has allowed turbomachinery components to be manufactured more efficiently than ever before: The core question to be addressed at what is now the fifth ICTM Conference to take place 6 and 7 February 2019 in Aachen and hosted by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Laser Technology ILT and for Production Technology IPT is “How do high levels of data consistency, continuity and availability along with more robust processes and greater production transparency result in a more economically efficient process chain?” Online enrolment for conference attendance is now open and there is an early-bird discount for bookings made by 17 December 2018.

One of the main features of additive manufacturing processes such as 3D-printing is that the complexity of the component shapes it produces, is virtually unlimited. However, high surface quality in metallic components can frequently be achieved only via milling or grinding finishing operations. Milling operations conducted on thin-walled parts in particular often cause vibrations which impact negatively on part accuracy and on machining time. The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT and the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen will be presenting special-purpose support structures which can eliminate these vibrations in post-processing operations at Farnborough International Airshow from 16 – 22 July 2018.

The ICTM Conference has established itself as a networking hub for the international turbomachinery industry. For the fourth time in a row, this biennial event was organized by the International Center for Turbomachinery Manufacturing ICTM in Aachen and in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institutes for Production Technology IPT and Laser Technology ILT. This year’s conference took place February 15-16, 2017. More than 250 experts from 19 countries discussed how to more efficiently develop and manufacture turbines for power plants and aircraft in the digital age.

Over 250 experts from 19 countries attended the fourth International Conference for Turbomachinery Manufacture, the ICTM Conference 2017, held 15 – 16 February in Aachen. There were 20 presentations given by speakers from the companies acknowledged as market leaders in the sector, reporting on the latest developments and emerging technologies for both manufacturing and using turbomachinery and its components in the aviation and power generation industries..

“Digital production” is increasingly turning into an integral part of successful turbomachinery manufacturing: How digitalization approaches can enhance efficient manufacturing and lifetime of modern turbomachinery components will be the central aspect of the fourth “ICTM Conference” on February 15 and 16, 2017, in Aachen. Online registration for the conference is open now, with an early bird price until December 16, 2016.

On October 28, 2015, the Fraunhofer Institutes for Production Technology IPT and Laser Technology ILT, and RWTH Aachen University’s Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) and Chair for Laser Technology (LLT) launched the International Center for Turbomachinery Manufacturing ICTM Aachen together with 19 renowned industrial partners. The center’s activities will focus on research related to the repair and manufacturing of turbomachinery.

Higher efficiency and lower emissions are the ultimate goals of the latest technological and manufacturing developments presented to around 240 attendees at the recent International Conference on Turbomachinery Manufacturing (ICTM). This event was the 3rd ICTM and was hosted February 25-26, 2015, by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Laser Technology ILT and for Production Technology IPT in Aachen/Germany.

Higher efficiency and lower emissions – these are the key objectives in the development of modern turbomachinery. Heat-resistant materials, complex geometries and integral components are but a few of the features of turbomachines. New approaches are required along the entire life cycle to meet future challenges in manufacturing as well as in maintenance, repair and overhaul.