The Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF in Darmstadt will be presenting innovative elements to reduce vibrations at sea. Vibrations and oscillations in the drive trains of main and auxiliary units, in particular, can lead to adverse secondary effects on board, such as increased wear and noise emissions, which are associated with a shortening of expected service life. Fraunhofer LBF has developed an analytic, computational toolbox for optimizing and proposing solutions.

The Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services CML in Hamburg is working on a novel hull coating with biomimetic properties. This coating was inspired by a floating fern, which will be on display in display pools, along with some early research samples. The CML will also be presenting the latest developments from its research into autonomous shipping.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD conducts research in Rostock on the use of visual computing in the shipping industry. This year, Fraunhofer IGD will be presenting data glasses that enable users to access a wide range of information in virtual form, for example in the field of design. Visitors to the booth can test the “HoloLens” in action.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Oldenburg offers still more hands-on experience. Many dangerous maritime situations, including ship disasters and other incidents, can be attributed to unclear communication, which has led Fraunhofer IDMT to develop a training platform. Researchers have transformed the International Maritime Organization “Standard Marine Communication Phrases” into a dialogue-oriented training tool, which can also be used online.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM from Bremen will be demonstrating its research on novel surfaces for ship hulls with the aid of a model ship. In addition, the researchers will be presenting information about their test locations on Helgoland and Sylt. these sites can be used , for instance, to carry out scientific research into corrosion and foul protection under genuine environmental conditions in the North and Baltic Seas.

Locating victims is the primary objective in rescuing shipwreck survivors in the water. However, the higher the waves, the more difficult seeing victims becomes. The Fraunhofer Institute for High-Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR in Wachtberg contributes to a research consortium that has developed a novel solution to detect persons or other objects in the water. The radar exhibited at SMM captures frequency-modulated signals generated by a novel transponder; it can identify a person equipped with the technology, even in a crowd.

The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Large Structures in Production Engineering IGP from Rostock will be presenting its latest innovations in manufacturing. No less than two robots will be demonstrating the latest technology in maritime production, employing intelligent sensor guidance and innovative image processing. The robots’ autonomous programming sets a new milestone towards commercial viability.

New this year
Fraunhofer researchers will be presenting a selection of innovations in short lectures and demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.

The Fraunhofer Forum Waterborne will take place on 5 September 2018 at SMM. The event this year addresses the topic of “Shipping Under Extreme Conditions”.