25 Years of Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH – Progress Through Research and Partnership

A Strong Network – Successful Collaboration

The management team – Prof. Dr. Marion Merklein and Petra Walther – welcomed the guests with heartfelt thanks to the long-standing partners from industry and research, whose trust and close cooperation have formed the foundation for many successful projects. In an impressive retrospective, they guided attendees through the key milestones of the company’s history, highlighting how Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH has continuously evolved over the past 25 years.

Special attention was given to the dedication of the employees: with their expertise, innovative spirit and strong sense of teamwork, they play a vital role in the company’s success and growth and continue to shape its dynamic culture to this day.

Research Meets Application

One of the highlights of the event was a series of expert presentations from academia and industry that vividly demonstrated the close connection between research and practical application. Prof. Marion Merklein (Institute of Manufacturing Technology )and Dr. Tassilo Christ (d-fine) illustrated how the technology of sheet bulk forming – from fundamental research at the Institute of Manufacturing Technology (LFT) within the Collaborative Research Center TR73 to AI-supported series production – has been successfully transferred into industrial practice. It’s a compelling example of the innovative strength and hands-on technology transfer that Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH has embodied for years.

Casting technology, a core research focus since NMF’s founding, also took center stage. Prof. Sebastian Müller, Institute of Foundry Technology (LGT) and Scientific Director of the Forming Technology Casting division, offered fascinating insights into the evolution of casting at NMF: from the installation of the first Thixomolding® machine in Europe (2002), to Germany’s first Husky HyMet650 (2008) and most recently, the new horizontal cold-chamber die casting machine from DSD. In light of current industry challenges – rising energy costs, transformation in the automotive sector, skilled labor shortages, digitalization and global competition – Prof. Müller posed the question: “Quo vadis casting technology?” The answer can be found through innovative solutions, ranging from the advancement of casting processes and materials to fully networked production systems.

Another exciting topic was explored in a joint presentation by Prof. Dietmar Drummer (Institute of Polymer Technology) and Dr. Michael Wrensch (Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG). They traced the development of thermoplastic fiber composites – from early-stage stamp forming to semi-finished product manufacturing and ultimately to functionalization, including surface refinement in a fully automated production process. In addition to simulation-based modeling of individual process steps, the digitalization of plant technology is progressing rapidly. Sustainable material solutions, such as natural fiber-based organo sheets, are increasingly being used across a range of applications.

Electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) is another important topic of current research activities at NMF. The PBF-EB technology describes an additive manufacturing process suitable for processing high-performance materials.

Great successes have been achieved in recent years with partners from industry in terms of process monitoring, process strategy and process robustness. Prof. Carolin Körner (Chair of Materials Science and Engineering for Metals) and Dr. Thorsten Löwer (pro beam GmbH & Co. KGaA) retraced the joint development path with mutual appreciation during their technical presentation.

Rooted in the Region – Relevant Worldwide

Dr. Horst Müller, Economic Affairs Officer of the City of Fürth, reflected on the close connection between the city’s development and the work of Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH. The event clearly demonstrated that the company is not only a scientific hub, but also an active contributor to shaping regional and international future perspectives.

Looking Ahead

With 25 years of experience, strong partnerships and a clear vision, Neue Materialien Fürth GmbH is well equipped to continue developing innovative solutions for advanced materials and digital production processes. We look forward to shaping the future together with you and exploring new paths forward!