Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM
Rainer Kübler studied chemistry – his major was in macromolecular chemistry – at the University of Freiburg. He worked as a scientific researcher in the machining and cutting group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM from 1998 and completed his doctorate on the topic of »impact-modified PMMA hybrid materials with a silicate skeleton structure« in 2002. In 2004, Rainer Kübler took over the management of the group and became the deputy head of the manufacturing technology business unit in 2009. Two years later, he took over responsibility for managing the infrastructure and was named deputy institute director in 2012.
His current research is concerned with the low-damage processing of glass, glass composites and silicon, glass forming with heat, and cutting and bending plate glass. He also works on the assessment of brittle fracturing components, as well as damage analysis. His interests lie in the ultra-precision machining of forming tools and in supporting process technologies and assessment procedures using simulations. His group aims to develop innovative manufacturing techniques and evaluate and improve processes and materials.
Rainer Kübler was awarded the Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Prize in 2009 for his development of a »low-damage laser-induced plate glass cutting technique«. This new technique can be used to cost-effectively cut brittle material, which makes many new applications possible.
Dr. Rainer Kübler
Deputy Director
Phone +49 761 5142-213