Research & development
Fraunhofer IML
Dortmund is characterized by a high density of facilities and institutions for research and development in logistics. Three chairs one department and one institute of the Dortmund University of Technology alone intensively examine various aspects of logistics. Within the Mechanical Engineering Department the chair for Conveyor and Warehouse Systems under Prof. Michael ten Hompel, the chair for Factory Organization (Prof. Axel Kuhn) and the institute for Transport Logistics (Prof. Uwe Clausen) form the pillars of logistics research.
Dortmund University of Technology
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) has close ties to the university institutes. The three sections of the IML are each headed by the full professors holding the three chairs. Prof. ten Hompel has been the managing head of the institute since January 2005. While the chair for Conveyor and Warehouse Systems intensively deals with the fields of intra-logistics and self-controlled logistics systems, the chair for Factory Organization focuses on planning, control and organization of factories, SCM and maintenance management. The focal point of the chair for Transport Systems and Logistics is the entire range of transport logistics activities. Furthermore, the chair for Production and Logistics under Prof. Ralf Grössinger conducts research in the field of business management planning, control and monitoring of production and logistics processes.
Special research
The initiative that probably reflects the interdisciplinary approach of logistics best is Special Research Programme 559 "Modelling of large networks in logistics". The competencies of the departments of mechanical engineering, business administration, computer science and statistics of the Dortmund University of Technology are combined with the Fraunhofer IML. The objective is to develop a theory for how such networks can be designed, organized and controlled in future.
RFID Competence Centre
The Fraunhofer IML launched the "openID-center" initiative in April 2005. It is aimed at setting up a networked value chain on the basis of RFID technologies. A complete chain of logistics for transport packaging with transponders is reproduced here for practical demonstration of all stages of the supply chain, from putting together shipments to disposal. The Dortmund University of Technology also conducts research on the future-oriented RFID technologies. At an RFID Competence Centre the Logistics Department examines the innovative application of identification methods on a transponder basis. Jointly with its affiliated institutions, particularly the Institute for Distribution and Trade Logistics (IDH), the Logistics Department has already been able to build up relevant experience and competence through numerous research projects. Potential users have the opportunity of getting to know various RFID technologies within the framework of RFID user training courses.
- TU-Dortmund, chair for Factory Organization (LFO)
- TU-Dortmund, chair for Conveyor and Warehouse Systems (FLW)
- TU-Dortmund, Institute for Transport Logistics (ITL)
- TU-Dortmund, chair for Produktion and Logistics (WiSo)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Software- und System Technique (ISST)
- openID-center
- Institute for Distribution and Trade Logistics (IDH)
