The lightweight road to success

The TU Dresden’s Institute of Lightweight Engineering and Polymer Technology (ILK) has been operating in the field of ‘function-integrative lightweight systems with multi-material design’ – known as the Dresden model – for over 20 years. This approach aims to factor in the entire development chain of subsequent technological applications right from the research phase, with the ILK’s spectrum ranging from basic research to application-oriented research to concrete innovation development for industry partners, utilising innovative material combinations, design principles and calculation methods. In this way, the ILK is playing a key role in shaping the global trend towards resource-friendly mechanical engineering. It has already been able to contribute important ideas in electromobility, aircraft construction and automotive engineering, such as for customised fibre-composite materials and carbon components. Dresden-based Herone GmbH, a series manufacturer of lightweight components, is also a product of the institute.

Every year the ILK invites their partners from science, industry and politics to visit the conference "International Dresden Lightweight Symposium" to discuss forward-looking socio-eco-technological ideas and innovations for a liveable future.