Information campaign at the HANNOVER FAIR 2015

In this year for the first time the University of Stuttgart is presenting its diverse range of pioneering research achievements at the Hannover Fair 2015, the global fair forum for product innovations along the entire industrial value-added chain.

As a co-exhibitor at the “Baden-Württemberg joint stand“, that is organised by Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i), the state’s centre of excellence on the internationalisation of economy, science and research, the University will show the trade fair public from all over the world exhibits from cutting-edge research.

The fair stand itself is already being planned as an exhibition product in the innovative exhibition concept of the University, with which state-of-the-art material-efficient construction and process technology will be demonstrated.

The trade fair appearance of the University will take place from 13th until 17th April in the framework of the leading fair “Research & Technology“ in Hall 2. This leading fair for research, development and technology transfer will be showing production innovations on the two pillars of research and development and making the interaction between science and business a subject of discussion as a major attraction.

With a view to the fair commitment, Prof. Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart, emphasised the necessity of quickly transferring findings from research into industrial innovations: “As a research university of international ranking, we have therefore given our activities in knowledge and technology transfer a new strategic direction and intensified them in order to enable our industrial partners access to our research achievements as efficiently as possible“, according to Prof. Ressel. This also includes the contact office established in the Rector’s office “contactUS! – business meets science“, that was created with the financial support of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science.

Fair stand as an exhibit
The carbon fibre reinforced lightweight structure of the fair stand of the University was realised through computer-aided design and simulation tools as well as an innovative, coreless robotic winding process for composite fibre components. The Institute for Computer-Based Design (ICD) and for Supporting Structures and Constructive Design (ITKE) involved in the conceptual design and production of the stand illustrate with the construction scopes of innovative design possibilities for architecture.

Further highlights of the trade fair appearance:

ARENA2036
The mission of the ambitious research programme ARENA2036 – Active Research Environment for the Next Generation of Automobiles – is the development of a sustainable production form 4.0 and a technolgy change, individual mobility realised with low resource consumption. The key is supplied by versatilbe production forms in intelligent, functionally integrated, multi-medial lightweight constructions. The research factory works on the fundamental change in the industrial production principle, the replacement of the current conveyor belt production with the versatile, sustainable production of the future, Industry 4.0. The exhibited research vehicle F 125! anticipates trends of the future and paves the way for the implementation of an innovative vehicle concept.

A sound seat will also be presented that was created in the framework of a study at the Institute of Aircraft Design and that was built made of very light and very stiff carbon fibre reinforced plastic. No loudspeakers are used to generate sound; in place of this the seat itself is used as a sound body. Another functional integration through the lightweight construction is the lighting in the backrest of the chair.

Quantum technology research by the 3rd Institute of Physics
Quantum technology, i.e. the targeted exploitation of quantum effects for technology, promises groundbreaking advances for information processing, secure communication and highly sensitive sensor technology. However, the technical implementation frequently fails due to the high demands of quantum physics that only make the quantum effects observable with low temperatures and in an ultra-high vacuum. However, this does not apply to single defect centres in diamonds. These form a completely new class of evolving quantum systems that can be optically manipulated and identified, show excellent quantum features even at room temperature and in so doing can be purposefully generated.

These special features bring possible applications within realistic grasp in everyday life and together with the robust solid-state matrix promise a wide range of application. Magnetic sensor technology on the smallest length scales from the cellular level up to detecting single molecules, temperature and pressure-sensor technology are being developed or are at the threshold of application.
A diamond magnetometer is presented that was developed and produced at the 3rd Institute of Physics. The magnetometer is an independent measuring instrument that can measure very weak magnetic fields. The interaction between quantum effects in diamonds and electrical measurement technology leads to a unique precision when measuring weak magnetic fields.

Parallel cable robots
Parallel robots are further developed at the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW) with completely new approaches: a moveable platform that is only moved by eight cables replaces stiff and heavy bodies. When touching the platform the surprise is great so that in spite of the delicate cables the platform is not moved from the spot, it doesn’t even swerve or swing. This is lightweight construction in completion.

The cable robot demonstrator comprises only four basic elements: a moveable platform, a simple machine frame, eight winches with synthetic fibre cables as well as innovative robot control. The cables join the winches with the freely moveable platform through highly dynamic and precisely adjustable servomotors. Each movement of the platform is coordinated through robot control so that all cables always remain tensioned and the control of the platform is not lost.

The demonstrator shows the essential features of cable robots in compact form and furthermore enables interaction to be experienced between man and machine in a secure environment. A small representative of the cable robot is presented that is otherwise freely scalable in size and form. Visitors can get an impression of the efficiency of cable robots and get to know a multitude of application possibilities. In addition there is an outlook for the show “Be(e) active“ in the German pavilion at the world exhibition EXPO 2015 in Milan where two of the cable robots developed by the institute will be used.

Sealing technology by the Institute of Machine Components
For over five decades the Institute for Machine Components (IMA) has been dealing intensively with the research on static and dynamic sealing and has acquired an international reputation for itself as a neutral and reliable authority in the field of sealing technology. In the presentation complex issues in terms of sealing technology are prepared and explained for lay people as well in a graphic way. Numerous exhibits of optimised sealing systems, modern analysis methods and research results from sealing technology are shown. This concerns rod seals in drawer dampers with a diameter of 1 mm up to 4,000 mm with sealing systems for wind energy plants.

The core items of the presentation is a test bench on which the mechanism of one of the most well known dynamic sealing systems, the radial shaft seal is illustrated. With this we offer the visitor a view behind the sealing so that even the flow of the oil in the housing becomes visible. A thermal imaging camera can be used to explore which temperature is adjusted on the basis of friction in the direct vicinity of the sealing point. In addition the interested observer is shown a surprising insight in terms of what grave influence even a simple a change in rotational direction can have on the function of the sealing.

Other trade fair events
Prof. Wolfram Ressel has invited all partners from the University of Stuttgart to a get-together at the trade fair stand with a robot show going by the motto “Experience live how the lightweight construction stand continues to grow” (6pm) on the “Night of Innovations“ on the Monday evening of the fair (13th April 2015), at which the top representatives from science, industry and politics traditionally get into discussions.

Accompanying programme
Representatives from the University enrich the accompanying programme at the HANNOVER TRADE FAIR 2015 by participating in numerous panels and lecture events.

Fair stand of the University of Stuttgart: Hall 2, Stand A18
GRAPHIC: University of Stuttgart, ICD/ITKE

Further information:
Dr. Hans-Herwig Geyer, University of Stuttgart, Head of University Communication and Press Spokesperson,
Tel. 0711/685-82555, E-Mail: hans-herwig.geyer (at) hkom.uni-stuttgart.de