Research

Dimensioning of precision actuators (linear & rotary) with inherent properties, which make subsequent information processing possible. These devices can be used as actuators, but also as interfaces between man and machine.

• Feedback and Coupling Systems
  Digitalization for data acquisition and evaluation, actuators at the point of action, preventive maintenance and condition monitoring of the system.
• Integrated Sensors
  Control and regulation via integrated sensor information acquisition (external and internal), integrated displacement measurement, thermal characterization.
• Materials and Production Engineering
  Materials with function integration (hard / soft magnetic), coil technology, precision injection molding and additive manufacturing processes, control and regulation via integrated sensor information acquisition (external and internal).

Design of linear magnetic levitation drives with varying loads. Guiding concept and active stabilization of the degrees of freedom by repulsive magnetic forces or the use of shape memory alloys for weight compensation.

• Levitation Drives with Repulsive Magnetic Forces
  Drive design with semi-active weight compensation, active & passive stabilization of axes, use of Lorentz forces or repulsive magnetic forces.
• Electromagnetic Levitation Drives with Weight Compensation
  Active weight compensation with magnetic shape memory alloys; minimization of hovering power by air gap variation of the reluctance actuators.
• Control Engineering
  Stabilization and control of degrees of freedom with variable loads; actuator concepts optimized for power dissipation.

The potential for increasing the performance of precision linear motors by means of active and passive cooling. Heat reduction by increasing the copper filling factor or active cooling of the coil by means of a fan drive.

• Coil Production and Design
  Coil design using optimized copper filling factor based on PCB (printed circuit board) coils; thermal optimization and design regulations; optimize / maximize heat dissipation mechanisms.
• Active Fan Cooler
  Coil forced cooling by means of an active piezo fan to increase the performance of the drive. Design and layout of the fan.

Dimensioning and design of piezoelectric multidimensional drives for precision positioning. Concept studies for stationary and moving hemispherical resonators.

• FEM simulation of the oscillation modes with ANSYS® to determine the radial and tangential deflections in all spatial directions.
• Prototype construction and metrological verification of the oscillations by means of laser Doppler vibrometers. Control and regulation of the drive and determination of the possible feeding forces.

Dimensioning of the inductive energy transmission on linear direct drives with moving coil system.
Design and analytical calculation of the energy transmission system, consisting of primary and secondary coils. Optimization with regard to maximum efficiency in energy transmission.

• Construction of a transmission system with investigation of the load dependence, with regard to resonant frequency and analysis of the effects on the efficiency for different voltages at the same load.
• Positioning, control and regulation of the drive.

Inductive variothermal mold cavity temperature control with externally / internally arranged inductors. Efficient heating and cooling of the die to shorten cycle times through targeted guidance of eddy currents and heat propagation.

• Inductor design and simulation of the magnetic field and the generated eddy currents in the electrically conductive material. Coupled thermal / magnetic FEM calculation.
• Tool design with targeted positioning of the inductor and guidance of eddy currents and heat distribution via coatings and air gaps.

Minimization of demolding forces in precision injection molding by optimizing the injection molding process, material selection, surface quality and coating of the core / mold cavity.

• Tool design and optimization to minimize shear forces through shrinkage onto the core.
• Tool design and optimization to minimize the adhesive forces on the mold cavity surfaces.
• Computational modelling via FEM simulation of the demolding process.