News

The 36th CIRP Design Conference of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) was held in Tokyo from March 16 to 18. The conference addressed current topics such as digital product development, sustainable design, additive manufacturing, and innovative teaching concepts in engineering. The professorship was represented with two scientific presentations, thereby presenting current research results on an international level. On the opening day, during the “Computer-aided Tolerancing” session, Anna Sorgatz presented the paper “Systematic Compensation of Geometrical Deviations in Additive Manufacturing through a Deviation Budget Framework.” On the third day of the conference, Prof. Sophie Gröger presented the paper “Training Concept for Target Group-Oriented Teaching of Production Measurement Technology at Vocational Schools” during the “Design Education” session, which is based on the results of the “SmartMess” research project.

Photos: Prof. Gröger (top - March 18) and Anna Sorgatz (bottom - March 16) during their presentations at CIRP-Design 2026 in Japan.

To bring their New Year’s resolutions to life, the external and internal doctoral candidates of the professorship met right at the start of the year to share their experiences. On January 15, 2026, at the coworking and event space “die fabrik chemnitz,” the focus was on the questions: “Where am I now? Where do I want to go? What challenges do I face?”

The presentations and discussions once again highlighted the diversity of manufacturing metrology. A wide range of topics and stages of research were presented, from bipolar batteries and welding processes, through additive manufacturing and manufacturing tolerances, to surface characterization and quality control loops. Topics such as literature research and the use of AI were also hotly debated.

We wish all doctoral candidates strength and perseverance and look forward to their successful graduations.

Photos: Colloquium participants in front of the event venue, as well as Stefanie Stöckel and Michael Seng during their presentations on January 15, 2026.

As in previous years, the Chair of Manufacturing Measurement Technology once again played an active role in the 10th edition of the ISO-GPS News Meeting at the Carlowitz Congress Center in Chemnitz. Together with partners, colleagues, and on our own, we were able to present a total of four contributions. Between sessions and during the exhibitors’ evening, we also engaged in discussions with speakers and participants at our exhibition booth. Over 11 sessions spanning 3 days, attendees gained insights into areas such as MBD, general tolerances, and measurement uncertainty. The evening events featured music and culinary delights, along with presentations on aerospace and a summary of Chemnitz’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2025. We look back on an interesting and insightful conference and are already looking forward to next year!

Top image: Prof. Sophie Gröger during her presentation on DIN 23600 as an introduction to the ISO GPS system on November 12, 2025.

Middle image: Sven Fiebig during his presentation on “The First Step Has Been Taken – Introduction to the Verification Standard DIN 23601” on November 11, 2025.

Bottom image: Dr. Juliane Schuldt during her presentation on ISO GPS integration in supply chain management, together with Mr. Dirks from ebmpapst on November 13, 2025.

The staff of the department recently swapped the measurement lab for Leipzig’s Karl-Heine Canal. Together, they took to the water in Canadian canoes - teamwork was essential not only while paddling but also when launching the boats. With perfect weather, the focus was on having fun, and team spirit was further strengthened along the way.

Image: Ready to go for the boat trip – participants from the department – September 5, 2025.

"FMT on Tour” – a tradition continues! On July 3, 2025, it was time once again: we set off for Leipzig with some of the participants from our courses. Once there, Porsche Leipzig GmbH offered us diverse and interesting insights into in-line measurement technology in body construction, various measurement laboratories, and the quality center. We were able to learn about current measurement practices and development trends, make new contacts, and reconnect with old ones.

Image: Participants of the excursion on July 3, 2025.

On March 31, 2025, Stefanie Stöckel from the department hosted a one-hour lecture on the new roughness standards DIN EN ISO 21920 Parts 1 through 3. These standards were published in December 2022 and include numerous innovations and changes compared to the previous standards. These relate, among other things, to drawing specifications, roughness parameters, and the selection of measurement conditions. The content is therefore relevant not only to metrology technicians but also, for example, to design engineers. A total of 25 academic and technical staff members from the faculty, representing ten different departments, took advantage of this continuing education opportunity. They gained an initial insight into the key changes so that they could subsequently familiarize themselves with the standards and integrate the current content into their work with students. Thanks to the presence of a simultaneous interpreter, the lecture was also offered in sign language.

Image: Stefanie Stöckel during her lecture - March 31, 2025.

As part of the GeoPreQ collaborative project (duration: January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027), a workshop to assess needs was held on March 20, 2025. Together with project partners N+P Informationssysteme GmbH and SITEC Industrietechnologie GmbH, the goal is to comprehensively utilize machine data to develop data-driven predictive models. These models are intended to support inspection planning and process improvement in SMEs in the custom machine manufacturing sector. Through the use of digital twins, quality processes are to be optimized and process improvements implemented at an early stage. The on-site meeting was used to discuss the challenges and plan the next steps of the project.

The GeoPreQ project is co-financed by the European Union and funded by tax revenues based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.

Image: Participants of the workshop in Chemnitz - March 20, 2025.

Present - Reflect - Discuss: This probably best describes the core of the doctoral colloquium. At the invitation of Prof. Gröger, we came together for the first time at the c/o56 Hotel Chemnitz for what is now the 5th doctoral colloquium. Current work content, challenges and interim results of internal and external doctoral candidates were presented. A day full of interesting presentations and constructive dialogue once again demonstrated how valuable such a format can be and how diverse the topics surrounding production measurement technology are.

Image: Group photo of the doctoral candidates and postdocs with Prof. Gröger - November 8, 2025.

From 26 to 28 June, the CIRP Conference on Computer Aided Tolerancing (CIRP CAT) took place in Huddersfield, where current research results from the field of computer-aided tolerancing were presented. Our research assistant Anna Sorgatz presented the paper "Virtual-tutoring-supported teaching for Geometrical Product Specification". In addition, the paper "Content evolution in ISO GPS documents in product development", co-authored by Robert Hofmann and Italian colleagues, was presented. The international conference was attended by numerous experts and scientists and facilitated an intensive exchange on innovative solutions and applications.

Image: Anna Sorgatz during her presentation - June 28, 2024.

The International Conference on Metrology and Properties of Surfaces took place in Marrakesh from 27-29 May 2024. For three days, experts from all over the world exchanged views on a wide range of topics relating to the measurement and evaluation of surfaces. Company representatives and scientists came together to discuss the latest developments in the field. Our research assistant Stefanie Stöckel took part in the event with a presentation on the topic of "Markings for comparative measurements on surfaces".

Image: Stefanie Stöckel during her presentation - May 27, 2024.

As part of the lecture series "Fundamentals of measurement technology", this winter semester we were "Thinking outside the box ". The guest lecture by Dr Andreas Kreyßig from MARPOSS GmbH focused on numerous practical impressions, historical outlines, future challenges and technological basics, which form the starting point for the selection of sensors and measuring devices in the industrial environment. We would like to thank you very much for the interesting and entertaining 90 minutes and hope to see you again soon!

Image: Dr. Andreas Kreyßig during his guest lecture at Chemnitz University of Technology - January 11, 2024.

We would like to congratulate Mr. Matthias Hertel on the successful defence of his Ph.D. entitled "Model-based process design for influencing form deviations of cylindrical components during orthogonal turn-milling". The Professorship of Production Measurement Technology wishes him all the best and every success in his future personal and professional endeavours!

Image (from left to right): Chairwoman of the doctoral committee Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dipl.-Math. Birgit Awiszus, reviewer Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ruben Bauer, Matthias Hertel, supervisor Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Sophie Gröger and recording secretary Juliane Schuldt after the defence on June, 2023.

This summer semester, we were delighted to have a guest lecture by Mr. Lukas Tänzer from Carl Zeiss GOM Metrology GmbH in the "Production Metrology" lecture series.

We would like to thank you very much for the interesting insights into the metrological solutions and application examples as well as the metrology demonstration on site and the associated introduction to the functionality of the systems presented.

Image: Lukas Tänzer - application engineer and former graduate of the TU Chemnitz - in the central lecture hall building - June 28, 2023.

On June 3rd, the "Long Night of Science" took place as part of the big TUC day at Chemnitz University of Technology and we were part of the "Voll VerNISCHELt" program. We are happy to look back on a beautiful afternoon/evening with numerous visitors and interesting conversations. Many thanks to everyone who was there on site and of course the organization team around Dr. Thomas Hänel. We are already looking forward to the next time!

Image: Anna Sorgatz and Sven Fiebig preparing the measurements for the visitors of "Voll VerNISHELt".

The professorship warmly congratulates Ms. Juliane Schuldt on successfully defending her Ph.D. entitled "Conception of a maturity-based integration process for the application of geometric product specifications". We are pleased that you are still part of our team and that we can devote ourselves to the challenges in teaching and training together. For this and of course beyond that, we wish you all the best!

Image (from left to right): Chairman of the doctoral committee Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Golder, supervisor Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Sophie Gröger, Dr.-Ing. Juliane Schuldt, reviewer Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Schütte and recording secretary Stefanie Stöckel after the defense on June 2, 2023.

The Chair of Production Measurement Technology would like to congratulate Dr.-Ing. Zhen Li on the successful defense of his dissertation entitled "Task-specific Uncertainty of Areal Surface Texture Measurement Using Structured Illumination Microscopy". As Dr.-Ing. Zhen Li will remain with us as a research assistant, we are now looking forward to upcoming joint tasks and projects. We wish you all the best and much success on future personal and professional paths!

Image (from left to right): Recorder Robert Hofmann, chairman of the doctoral committee Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jonas Hensel, Dr.-Ing. Zhen Li, supervisor Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Sophie Gröger and reviewer Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Seewig after the defense on March 31, 2023.