LEONI: Topics

The Technology & Innovation department is currently working on four core projects:

Project 1 – “Flamecon®”

This project deals with the chemical and mask-free application of electrically conductive, structured coatings on a wide variety of different base materials. These wires can be used to carry signals and power as well as for heating purposes depending on their cross section or metallurgical composition. A line has been developed which is constantly upgraded and extended for automated production.

As part of this work we take part in a joint project supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The project deals with the utilization of atmospheric plasma sources, a process called “plasma printing”. The work section headed by LEONI covers the generation of nano particles out of metal wires with the help of a plasma. The particles are afterwards stamped onto the substrate using the Flamecon line.

Project 2 – Optical Sensors

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Flyer „LEONI PinchGuard“ (1.2 MB)

The subject matter of this project is the development of highly sensitive power and pressure sensors on the basis of the so-called optical evanescent field. The project is sub-divided into two parts:

Part 1: Material design and Process technology

Main focus is placed on the development of specific new materials of optical quality and high temperature resistance and their procedural processing to highly flexible Polymer Optical Fibers (POF).

Part 2: Sensors

Based on a specially developed fiber but also on other optical fibers such as prisms, complete sensor systems are developed for a variety of different areas of application, primarily for measuring force. Embodiments are line and/or surface sensors with polymer optical fibers, but also switches, push buttons and/or complete optical input systems using prisms.

Project 3 – „IMPKW“ (Innovative concepts for automotive assembly lines)

This project supported by the Bavarian research foundation Bayerische Forschungsstiftung generated a fully automatic wiring capability on a passenger car door module using industrial robots. The project ended on 31 March 2006.

Work on a follow-up project is currently in progress, which will most likely also be supported by the Bavarian research foundation. Aim of this project is the development of a special MacroMID technology, which will also play an important role in future automation processes.

Project 4 – „ICEFUEL®“

(Integrated cable energy system for fuel and power)

This project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is aimed to develop and demonstrate on a model system the combined transport of electricity and cryogenic fuels based on technical and economical energy concept studies. Important parts of this development work are the design of flexible, insulated cables and the integration of micro system components. LEONI is mainly involved in the development of special cables required for this BMBF joint research project.