This document summarizes information about PROFACTOR, an Austrian applied research organization. It has 85 employees and focuses on developing innovative solutions, processes, and products for manufacturing enterprises. Its main areas of focus are innovations in production, nanotechnology, and energy. It has completed over 90 EU projects and 600 national and international projects. Its customers are 50% from machine and plant manufacturing, 25% automotive, and 25% other industries.

1. LEADING
INNOVATIONS

2. Fit for the Competition
PROFACTOR
Austria’s no. 1 in applied production
research
PROFACTOR
Problem solver for manufacturing
enterprises

3. Figures & Facts
85 employees in Steyr (Upper Austria)
EURO 8,5 mil. turnover in 2009
Over 90 EU projects with a research budget exceeding EURO 300 mil.
600 national and
international projects
Support by the EU
(ERDF*),
the federal government,
the state
of Upper Austria, and
the town of Steyr.

4. Services
Development of innovative solutions, processes
and products
From feasibility studies and prototype designs to
pilot production
Own products in the business sectors automation
and quality control
Own products in the business sectors automation
and quality control
Cutting-edge research and technology transfer for
small- and medium-size enterprises
International and domestic management of
cooperative R&D projects
Analytical and experimental services with state of
the art laboratory equipment and measurement
systems

5. 400 satisfied Partners
50% Machine
& plant
25%
Automotive
& plant
constructions
25%
Miscellaneous

6. Main Focus of Activities
INNOVATIONS IN
PRODUCTION
INNOVATIONS ININNOVATIONS IN
NANO
INNOVATIONS IN
ENERGY

7. INNOVATIONS IN
PRODUCTION

8. Innovations in Production
Application-oriented solutions for the
industry:
Stability and safety of production
processes
Reproducibility and accuracy inReproducibility and accuracy in
manufacturing
Assurance of quality requirements and
improved product quality
Flexibility and optimisation of production
workflows

9. Stability and Safety of Production Processes
Overview of PROFACTOR Solutions:
Process analysis with a comprehensive range of
measuring technologies
Optimisation of parameters to improve lifetimes;
minimisation of non-productive timeminimisation of non-productive time
Creation of machine and processing concepts
Process monitoring of handling and assembly
procedures in automated plants
Automation and real time control systems
Active suppression of mechanical vibrations,
noise suppression

10. Assurance of improved Product Quality
Overview of PROFACTOR Solutions:
Surface inspection in piece goods production
360 degree quality control of cylindrical objects
Inline quality controls by means of industrial
thermographythermography
Completeness checks for assemblies thanks to
an intelligent combination of various inspection
processes

11. Flexibility and Optimisation of Production Workflows
Overview of PROFACTOR Solutions:
Simulation, assurance and optimisation of
technical and organisational logistics processes
Granular production planning and controls
Automation of small batch sizes down to one-offsAutomation of small batch sizes down to one-offs
Self-teaching, robust 3D image processing
systems for object recognition
Automated process planning and robot
programming

12. Expertise
Robotics and automation down to a batch
size of 1
Industrial image processing
Mechatronic systems and components for noise
and vibration reductionand vibration reduction
Machining technologies for new materials
Simulation and optimisation

13. INNOVATIONS IN
NANO

14. Innovations in Nano
anti-fogging
self-cleaning
catalytically active
Customised characteristics for
your products:
catalytically active
nano-structured
super-hydrophobic
anti-reflective
water-repellent
optical components
(e.g. as micro-lenses, holograms)

15. Innovations in Nano
PROFACTOR refines various materials gaining
new characteristics for added value surfaces:
glass
wood
metalsmetals
plastics
new materials
natural materials (e.g. stone)

16. Leading Technologies and Applications
Sol-gel technology is used to functionalise and
modify surfaces and their properties.
Nano Imprint Lithography (NIL) is a cost-effective
technology for high-resolution, large scale
replication of nanostructures.
Production, processing and application ofProduction, processing and application of
nanoparticles

17. Innovative Solutions
Combinations of these technologies are offering
an almost unlimited field of inventions and
innovations.

18. Expertise
Various coating materials and processes
Technologies for surface structuring
Competence in chemical and physical
troubleshooting and solution oriented process
developmentdevelopment
State-of-the-art instrumental analytical equipment
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19. INNOVATIONS IN
ENERGY

20. Innovative technologies
... for the production of gaseous fuels
and valuable products from organic
feedstock
Biogas and biohydrogen production
Biogas purification and processing
Substrate pretreatment

21. Innovative technologies
... for the resource-efficient capture and use
of CO2 in products
Concentration of industrial CO2 emissions
Conversion of CO2 into synthesis blocksConversion of CO2 into synthesis blocks
Biotechnological CO2 recovery

22. Applied research
Development of technology from basic research to the
ongoing process in prototype size
R&D Skills
Development of industrially applicable technologies
Optimization of existing technologies
Analytics

23. Organizational Structure
VPTÖ
Society for the Promotion and Modernization
of Production Technologies in Austria
residence in Steyr
100 %
Link
PROFACTOR GmbH
domiciled in Steyr
zurück
PROFACTOR
Services GmbH
domiciled in Steyr
100 %

24. VPTÖ
Mission:
To support and promote advanced industrial research
The members of the VPTÖ (Society for the Promotion and Modernization of
Production Technologies in Austria) support PROFACTOR with scientific and
business expertise.
To support and promote advanced industrial research
To develop new production models and new technologies
Unique selling propositions:
Leading role in Austria
First-time synthesis of scientific research
Application research and technology transfer

25. VPTÖ
President Mag. Dr. Karl Schwaha
1. Vice president Prof. DI Dr. Gerfried Zeichen
2. Vice president Dr.-Ing. Norbert Schrüfer, Miba Friction Holding GmbH
3. Vice president DI (FH) Gerhard Wölfel, BMW Motoren GmbH3. Vice president DI (FH) Gerhard Wölfel, BMW Motoren GmbH
Scientific advisor Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Andreas Kugi, TU Wien
Secretary DI Werner Freilinger, SKF Österreich AG
Treasurer Ing. Kurt Gartlehner, Abgeordneter zum Nationalrat
1. Controller Dr. Friedrich Hartner, Bene Büromöbel GmbH
2. Controller DI Dr. Günter Heider
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