IVAM Microtechnology Network

🧪 The next breakthrough starts with the right material. Whether it's advanced alloys, smart polymers, functional coatings, technical ceramics, specialty glass, nanomaterials, or innovative composites – materials are the foundation of tomorrow's high-tech innovations. For the next issue of »INNO« – The High-Tech Magazine by IVAM Microtechnology Network, we're looking for IVAM member companies and research institutes that are pushing the boundaries of material technologies. Innovative materials are driving the next generation of high-tech applications. In the upcoming issue of INNO, we want to showcase how advanced materials and material technologies are enabling new functionalities, higher performance, and more sustainable solutions across a wide range of industries. From high-performance metals and specialty alloys to functional polymers, technical ceramics, specialty glass, composite materials, nanomaterials, coatings, surface engineering, and smart material systems – we are looking for inspiring examples from the IVAM network. We invite you to demonstrate how your materials, manufacturing processes, integration technologies, or surface solutions help overcome today's and tomorrow's technological challenges, including: Publishing in INNO is a great opportunity to present your expertise to an international audience of high-tech professionals and decision-makers. 📩 Interested in contributing an editorial article? Contact Mona Okroy-Hellweg for more details! 🗓️ Deadline for the final article: August 31, 2026 Not yet a member? Contact Alice Kasjanow and book a short Q&A session. Let's showcase the technologies that are shaping the future of high-tech together.

🌍 🍕 International talents meets Germany's microelectronics ecosystem. This week, IVAM had the pleasure of welcoming 20 technical students from 19 countries participating in the International Summer School "The Business of German Engineering" at Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt. Before visiting IVAM, the group stopped at Elmos, a long-standing IVAM member, where they gained first-hand insights into semiconductor innovation and product development. The visit offered an excellent introduction to Germany's high-tech industry in practice. Tim Merforth introduced the role of international innovation networks and highlighted the opportunities Germany's high-tech ecosystem offers to future engineers. The visit also provided an opportunity for Jana Mönner and Tim Merforth to present the opportunities of the Microtec Academy, established through the nationwide flagship project skills4chips. Funded by the Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, the initiative aims to strengthen the future workforce for Europe's growing microelectronics and semiconductor industry through targeted education and training. With the European Chips Act driving the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing, attracting and developing skilled professionals from around the world has become more important than ever. 🤝 Connecting talented students with companies, research institutions and industry networks is an important step toward achieving this goal. To round off an inspiring day, everyone came together for pizza and informal networking. 🍕 These relaxed conversations often spark just as many new ideas and connections as the official program. A big thank you to Uwe Kleinkes and Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt for the inspiring exchange. We wish all participants a successful Summer School and hope to see many of them shaping the future of microelectronics in Europe.

🤝 30 years. 25 years. 20 years. 15 years. 🤝 In a fast-moving high-tech industry, long-term commitment is something truly worth celebrating. At the IVAM Hightech Summit 2026 in June, Dominique Bouwes, Tim Merforth and Alice Kasjanow had the pleasure of honoring six member organizations for their longstanding dedication to the IVAM Microtechnology Network. Their continuous engagement has helped strengthen collaborations, drive innovation, and shape Europe's high-tech ecosystem over many years. 🎉 Congratulations to our anniversary members: 🏆 30 years – Bartels Mikrotechnik 🏆 25 years – HNP Mikrosysteme GmbH 🏆 25 years – MinacNed 🏆 20 years – TOPTICA EAGLEYARD 🏆 15 years – Surfix 🏆 15 years – WISTA Management GmbH Your trust, expertise, and willingness to collaborate are what make our network thrive. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping build a strong, connected high-tech community across Europe. Here's to many more years of innovation, partnership, and shared success! 💬 Have you ever thought about whether your company could benefit from a membership in a network? Perhaps an IVAM membership may also be the right solution for current challenges in your company! Contact Alice Kasjanow for more details!

☕ A great way to start the day! Make it even better by checking out BKB Precision's expert article on the IVAM Blog. This morning, IVAM members came together for another Mid-Week Coffee Break, hosted by BKB Precision and Alice Kasjanow, to discuss an important topic for MedTech manufacturers: From Prototype to Reliable Series Production: Lessons from an ISO 13485 MedTech Case. A big thank you to Berrie V. and Bas Driendijk from the BKB Precision team for sharing practical insights, real-world experience, and valuable lessons learned. These open technology exchanges are what make the IVAM Microtechnology Network a valuable community for innovation and collaboration. Missed today's session? Or not yet part of the IVAM network? We've got you covered. To complement today's discussion, Bas Driendijk has contributed an expert article to the IVAM Blog: "From Product Concept to Series Production: The Value of Early Collaboration." The article explores why involving manufacturing expertise early in the development process can accelerate innovation, reduce risks, and pave the way for successful series production. You'll find the link in the comments.

🌈 Pride Month ist eine Erinnerung daran, wie wertvoll es ist, so sein zu können, wie man ist. Gerade am Arbeitsplatz sollte niemand das Gefühl haben, einen Teil der eigenen Persönlichkeit verstecken zu müssen. Denn dort, wo Menschen sich akzeptiert und respektiert fühlen, entstehen Vertrauen, Offenheit und echte Zusammenarbeit. Vielfalt zeigt sich auf viele Arten, auch in sexueller Orientierung und geschlechtlicher Identität. Sie bereichert Teams, eröffnet neue Perspektiven und macht Organisationen stärker. Für MIND - Mikrotechnik, Interaktion, Neue Perspektiven zur Diversität ist Diversität deshalb mehr als ein Schlagwort. Es geht darum, Arbeitswelten zu gestalten, in denen alle Menschen ihre Ideen einbringen, ihre Stärken entfalten und ihr Potenzial ausschöpfen können, ganz unabhängig davon, wen sie lieben oder wie sie sich identifizieren. Der Pride Month lädt uns dazu ein, gemeinsam für eine Kultur einzustehen, in der Respekt, Wertschätzung und Zugehörigkeit selbstverständlich sind – nicht nur im Juni, sondern an jedem Tag des Jahres. 🏳️🌈 🤝 Wie schafft ihr in eurem Unternehmen ein Arbeitsumfeld, in dem sich alle willkommen fühlen?

Welcome another new IVAM Member: Posalux SA! 🎉 Today, we'd like to introduce one of the companies that has recently joined the IVAM Microtechnology Network: Posalux SA. For more than 80 years, the Swiss machine tool manufacturer has been shaping the future of precision micromachining. With its three core technologies – femtosecond laser processing, EDM and high-precision mechanical machining – Posalux develops advanced solutions for drilling, milling, routing, cutting and turning applications in the electronics, automotive and many other high-tech industries. Its high-performance production systems are recognized worldwide for their precision, reliability and long-term performance in demanding manufacturing environments. Headquartered in Switzerland, Posalux also maintains subsidiaries in Taiwan, South Korea and the USA, complemented by a global sales and service network to support customers locally. We are delighted to have Posalux as part of the IVAM community and look forward to strengthening connections, fostering collaborations and driving innovation together. 👉 Give Posalux SA a follow to discover how their cutting-edge micromachining technologies are enabling the next generation of high-tech manufacturing.

💬 Warum engagieren sich Unternehmen im Projekt MIND? „Diversity ist keine Bedrohung, sondern die Chance, Fachkräfte zu sichern, Zusammenarbeit zu stärken und Arbeitskultur neu zu denken. Wo Vielfalt ernst genommen wird, entstehen bessere Lösungen, stärkere Teams und resilientere Organisationen.“ Mit diesem Statement beschreibt Thomas Löwer von der AMC Praxisklinik | Hattingen seine Motivation, sich als Projektlotse im MIND-Projekt zu engagieren. Die Praxisklinik Hattingen ist ein modernes ambulantes Operationszentrum im südlichen Ruhrgebiet. In einem interdisziplinären Team arbeiten Fachärztinnen und Fachärzte verschiedener Disziplinen sowie Anästhesie, OP-Assistenz und Verwaltung eng zusammen – eine Zusammenarbeit, die von Vertrauen, gegenseitigem Respekt und unterschiedlichen Perspektiven lebt. Im Projekt MIND - Mikrotechnik, Interaktion, Neue Perspektiven zur Diversität setzt die Praxisklinik bewusst auf eine zukunftsfähige Arbeitskultur, die Vielfalt als Stärke versteht. Der Austausch mit anderen Unternehmen, praxisnahe Impulse und neue Perspektiven unterstützen dabei, Fachkräfte zu gewinnen und zu binden, die Zusammenarbeit weiterzuentwickeln und die Organisation nachhaltig zu stärken. Denn dort, wo Vielfalt gelebt wird, profitieren nicht nur die Mitarbeitenden – sondern auch Innovation, Qualität und langfristiger Unternehmenserfolg. 💭 Wie schafft ihr in eurem Unternehmen eine Arbeitskultur, in der unterschiedliche Perspektiven wirklich gehört werden?

⏳ Last chance to register! In just 2 days, our free information webinar will show you how to access one of the world's most important semiconductor markets – with substantial financial support. 🇯🇵 EU Business Hub @ SEMICON Japan 2026: Funded Business Mission to Japan’s Semiconductor Market 📅 Webinar: July 15, 2026 | 12:30 CET | Online | Free of charge Thinking about expanding your semiconductor business to Japan? This webinar explains how European SMEs and startups can join the EU Pavilion at SEMICON Japan 2026 and benefit from a funded Business Mission by EU Business Hub - Japan and the Republic of Korea ✔️ Exhibitor fee fully covered ✔️ Hotel support (up to €1,000) ✔️ Additional funding for customised services ✔️ Pre-arranged B2B meetings ✔️ Market intelligence and cultural support Japan remains one of the world's leading semiconductor markets, driven by major investments in AI, IoT and next-generation technologies. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how your company can become part of the mission. 🎯 Application deadline for the Business Mission: September 11, 2026 👉 Register now (Link in comments) and join us on July 15 to find out how your company can take the next step towards the Japanese market.