Burrs on cut and punched edges of sheet metal increase the risk of injury and can often damage cables and scratch surfaces. For this reason alone, it makes sense to deburr such edges. If this is done by laser, not only can edges be selectively reinforced, but the fatigue strength of the components can be increased and the tendency to forming cracks reduced. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen will be presenting state-of-the-art laser deburring processes at…
Inspired by the paper-folding art of origami, North Carolina State University engineers have discovered a way to make a single plastic cubed structure transform into more than 1,000 configurations using only three active motors. The findings could pave the way for shape-shifting artificial systems that can take on multiple functions and even carry a load – like versatile robotic structures used in space, for example. “The question we’re asking is how to achieve a number of versatile shapes with the…
Device developed by Utah engineers with Army funding harvests water from atmosphere, even in arid places. Earth’s atmosphere holds an ocean of water, enough liquid to fill Utah’s Great Salt Lake 800 times. Extracting some of that moisture is seen as a potential way to provide clean drinking water to billions of people globally who face chronic shortages. Existing technologies for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) are saddled with numerous downsides associated with size, cost and efficiency. But new research from…
Makino and Fraunhofer ILT expand the possibilities of Additive Manufacturing. Makino and the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT are using EHLA and EHLA3D to redefine the boundaries of Additive Manufacturing. By integrating EHLA3D into a five-axis CNC platform, they have developed a process that can efficiently produce, coat or repair complex geometries with high-strength materials. Result of the collaboration: shorter production times and extended component life in critical industries, while laying the foundations for future innovation in the circular…
Eliminating damages in offshore wind turbines is very expensive. When turbines are idle due to defective transmissions, repairs often require special cranes – high waves, strong winds, and poor visibility can hinder the deployment teams and further extend downtime. In the GEARFORM project, Fraunhofer IWU and its industry partners developed a hot rolling process to manufacture durable, large-module gears. In contrast to hobbing, hot rolling also boasts an outstanding material utilization rate and significantly shorter production times. With a diameter…
It’s still just a plan, but a new telescope could soon be measuring gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are something like the sound waves of the universe. They are created, for example, when black holes or neutron stars collide. The future gravitational wave detector, the Einstein Telescope, will use the latest laser technology to better understand these waves and, thus, our universe. One possible location for the construction of this telescope is the border triangle of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands….
Great success for the research group led by Prof. Dr. Dr.-Ing. Yilmaz Uygun at Constructor University Bremen: The start-up “NebulaForm”, which emerged from the group, has been accepted into the space incubator of the European Space Agency ESA. The team wants to use the world’s largest delta 3D printer, which they developed, to produce components for the space industry. In addition, they are working on producing a 3D printer for applications in space. The space incubator “ESA BIC Northern Germany”,…
Columbia Engineers link oxygen to graphene quality and develop new techniques to reproducibly make the wonder material at scale. Graphene has been called “the wonder material of the 21st century.” Since its discovery in 2004, the material—a single layer of carbon atoms—has been touted for its host of unique properties, which include ultra-high electrical conductivity and remarkable tensile strength. It has the potential to transform electronics, energy storage, sensors, biomedical devices, and more. But graphene has had a dirty little…
In an impressive leap forward for robotics technology, researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University have unveiled a novel hybrid-driven origami gripper, designed to tackle the challenge of grasping and manipulating objects with unprecedented versatility and precision. This innovative device, highlighted in a recent study published in Cyborg Bionic Systems, promises to reshape the capabilities of robotic systems in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare. The newly developed gripper utilizes a combination of pneumatic and cable-driven mechanisms to control an origami-inspired…
North Carolina State University researchers have demonstrated a technique that allows people who manufacture metal machine parts with 3D printing technologies to conduct automated quality control of manufactured parts during the finishing process. The technique allows users to identify potential flaws without having to remove the parts from the manufacturing equipment, making production time more efficient. “One of the reasons people are attracted to 3D printing and other additive manufacturing technologies is that these technologies allow users to quickly replace…
LZH and Cutting Edge Coatings at Optatec… At Optatec 2024, the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) and Cutting Edge Coatings GmbH (CEC) present new opportunities in coating technologies for the future of optics manufacturing. The exhibition takes place from May 14th to 16th in Frankfurt. LZH and CEC can be found in Hall 3.1 at a shared booth (627). CEC Navigator 2500 – the IBS coating system for large-area substrates and very high productivity. Photo: Cutting Edge Coatings GmbH The…
Green hydrogen is one of the energy sources of the future. In order to produce it in large quantities, store it and convert it back into electrical energy, however, the industry needs efficient and scalable production processes and systems for the required electrolysers and fuel cells. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen are focusing on both conventional discrete and continuous production processes using roll-to-roll systems (R2R). At the Hannover Messe from April 22 to 26,…
Researchers combine mobile 3D handheld scanner goSCOUT3D with robot dog. With the handheld scanner goSCOUT3D, Fraunhofer IOF researchers have developed a mobile sensor that enables high-resolution 3D measurements of complex objects. To further automate this process, researchers have now connected the scanner to a robot dog of the Boston Dynamics brand. Doing so is supposed to make measurements, e.g., in quality assurance, even more efficient as well as unburden employees in future. The unit consisting of sensor head and robot…
The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have modernized and significantly expanded their melt spinning pilot plant with support from the State of Baden-Württemberg. The new facility enables research into new spinning processes, fiber functionalization and sustainable fibers made from biodegradable and bio-based polymers. In the field of melt spinning, the DITF are working on several pioneering research areas, for example the development of various fibers for medical implants or fibers made from polylactide, a sustainable bio-based…
LZH develops process for laser drilling CFRP. Scientists of Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) have developed an automated process for laser drilling that facilitates the machining of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP). This is particularly interesting for lightweight construction and sound insulation. Holes can be drilled quickly and automatically in CFRP and sandwich materials using laser technology. Photo: LZH Composite materials such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are excellent for lightweight construction and are used, among other things, in automotive and…
The expression “flawless from every angle” is commonly used to characterize a celebrity’s appearance. This doesn’t simply imply that they appear attractive from a specific viewpoint, but rather that their appeal remains consistent and appealing from various angles and perspectives. Recently, a research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has employed metasurface to fabricate angle-dependent holograms with multiple functions, capturing significant interest within the academic community. A research team comprising Professor Junsuk Rho from the Department of…
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