Stephan Hansen

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Stephan Hansen is a leading researcher in advanced manufacturing, specializing in robotic machining systems for large-scale aerospace components. His work addresses critical challenges in precision manufacturing, particularly the transition from rigid, costly portal machines to flexible, mobile robotic solutions. Hansen’s most influential contribution is his 2017 paper on referencing strategies for high-accuracy machining of large aircraft components using mobile robotic systems (25 citations), which provides foundational methods for improving robotic positioning and accuracy in industrial settings. He has further advanced the field through research on hybrid drive robots, demonstrating their effectiveness for machining both carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) and steel—materials central to modern aerospace and automotive production. His 2025 studies on hybrid drives for CFRP and steel machining (each with 1 citation) showcase the potential of serial kinematics to combine workspace flexibility with sufficient stiffness for demanding material removal. Hansen’s work directly supports the aerospace industry’s push for higher production rates and cost efficiency, making him a key figure in the evolution of flexible, automated manufacturing for large, complex components.