In order to achieve optimum product quality, precise control of the production process is necessary. For this purpose, the relevant parameters must be continuously recorded. In this context, the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST from Braunschweig will be presenting its most recent developments for the optimization of cotter rolling processes at this year’s Hannover Messe: Thin-film sensor inserts which enable precise in-situ detection of the temperature distribution on the tool surface.