History

The Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units was established in 1965 under the name „Chair for Machine Tools B" at the University of Stuttgart and became one of the most renowned research Institutes in its field under the guidance of its founder, Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Stute. After the unexpected death of Prof. Stute in 1982, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr.h.c. G. Pritschow was called to succeeded Prof. Stute as head of the Institute. From 1984 on Prof. Pritschow headed the Institute until 2005. In 2005 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Verl took over the chair of the director.

During the course of its more than 40-year history, the number and variety of research and development fields of the institute has steadily increased. The main fields are centred around the development and application of control technology and other computer supported methods for automation. The division of the institute in four departments reflects the variety of activities. Close cooperation between the departments „Planning Systems and Engineering Methods", „Industrial Control Engineering", "Drive and Control Engineering", "Mechanical Engineering" as well as „Mechatronic Systems" is essential for efficient project management.

The Institute caters for both basic research as well as for the application-orientated development activities, which has led to successful cooperation with both public and industrial project partners.