Teaching and research

For more than 25 years, we have been accepting teaching assignments on the application of the finite elements method for structural mechanics, from 1995 to 2009 at the University of Wuppertal, and since 2009 in the Master’s programme “Product Development and Simulation” in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. There we teach the module “Structural mechanics (FEM)”.

 

The theoretical and practical principles of the finite element method are explained to the students in a lecture with integrated practical exercises, and they are taught to independently perform different numerical calculations on the basis of practical examples.

The focal topics include:

• Linear and non-linear calculations (contact definitions, non-linear material behaviour, theory 2nd and 3rd order)
• Dynamic simulations (modal analysis, harmonic and transient calculations, …)
• Introduction to operational stability
• Thermal calculations
• Submodeling technology and APDL programming

 

Thanks to the close link between experience reports, practical examples from industry and the latest findings from science, the students are thus offered the ideal basis for a successful progression into employment.

 

Further information:

• Master’s degree
• Youtube video Master in Mechanical Engineering at Dortmund University
• You can find an overview of the final theses prepared in our company here (PDF)

Our company has been involved in funding and industrial research projects for many years, as a cooperation partner and through participating in the project support committee. Currently, our activities focus on additive manufacturing and the use of digital twins.

The objective of the AM-QUALITY network is to further develop metallic additive manufacturing from single-part or small series production to a reliable and certified manufacturing technology. The network focuses on the key fields of powder technology, process control using the results of in-situ analyses, and destructive and non-destructive testing methods.

 

In the network the competencies of SMEs, research institutions and testing organisations complement each other in order to solve these tasks with the help of funding from the ZIM (Central Innovation Programme for SMEs) and other programmes. Practical relevance and proximity to the market are guaranteed by the participation of corporations and testing institutes.

 

Our company is involved in the AM-Quality network by participating in the working group for test engineering procedures. The task of our company within this working group is to establish a calculation method utilising FEM. This method should allow not just estimation but actual calculation of failure modes and/or crack initiation in complex AM components, as well as fatigue strength, based on the results of non-destructive testing using computer tomography (CT).