How does it work?

Fraunhofer IZM offers a stepwise path for getting from the idea to the product. Of course, individual steps can contracted separately. The customer can also enter into the cooperation at any step of process.

Often the cooperation kicks off with an innovation workshop. The project aims and parameters are defined together with the customer.

If the viability of the product idea has not yet been established, a feasibility study is a sensible first measure. In this first phase, we analyze whether the product idea is feasible and which functionalities are realistic. Once this has been completed, we draw up and agree on a specification document together with the customer.

This specification document is the starting point for the second phase of the feasibility study. Promising solutions are analyzed in more detail. Along with the technical feasibility, cost and reliability issues are also investigated. Finally, a target specification is negotiated for the cooperation.

In the subsequent development project, the idea is implemented and the customer is then supplied with a functional model. After evaluating the model, the idea is developed further into a prototype, for which manufacturing, handling and reliability aspects are investigated more closely. Franhofer also helps the customer find manufacturing partners and certification bodies if desired.