More teamwork, a smaller ecological footprint

This qualification campaign targets engineers (including research engineers) from “GreenLight-Tec’s” partner companies. Whether a steel group, a mechanical engineering company or supplier to the aircraft industry, these companies have one thing in common: they are all heavily involved in lightweight construction. The training partners are the Johannes Kepler University Linz, the University of Applied Sciences, Campus Wels, the Montanuniversität Leoben and the Technical Universities of Vienna and Graz.

Individually composed

The program consists of four modules: Overview, In-Depth, Digital Twin and Sustainability. The participants or their companies select seminars and workshops to compose an individual program. The “InDepth” module focuses on the structural aspects of lightweight construction, metal and polymer materials and process engineering for composite materials. It also includes a practical phase in the materials testing laboratory at the Montanuniversität Leoben. The principles learned previously in the laboratory are experienced hands on, helping to give the participants a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities offered by material modelling and material selection.

Digital and alternative

In the third module, the focus is on optimisation algorithms and machine learning for digital modelling as well as on structure and process simulation. The topic of sustainability rounds of the Innovation Camp. This is where participants explore sustainable alternatives to conventional composites and their impact on the environment. Participants also learn more about recycling processes and life cycle analyses, including a hands-on phase at the pilot factory of the Johannes Kepler University Linz (LIT Factory).

Better for the environment

“A solid education in lightweight construction is key, as it enables specialists to develop innovative solutions and products that are not only lightweight, but also significantly contribute to reducing the ecological footprint,” Martin Reiter is convinced. He is a researcher at the Institute of Polymer Product Engineering at the Johannes Kepler University Linz and responsible for consortium management at “GreenLight-Tec”.

Exchange between science and industry

However, the regular meetings are not just about passing on expertise. Networking also plays an important role. “A far-reaching lightweight construction network promotes the exchange of knowledge, collaboration, and the development of interdisciplinary best practices between partners from industry and the sciences. They work jointly on achieving sustainable solutions,” as Martin Reiter explains.

Partners:

• Johannes Kepler University Linz
• 4a manufacturing GmbH
• AMST Systemtechnik GmbH
• ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH
• FACC Operations GmbH
• KTM Forschungs & Entwicklungs GmbH
• Montanuniversität Leoben
• Pankl Racing Systems AG
• Plastic Innovation GmbH
• Technical University Graz
• Technical University Leoben
• Tripan Leichtbauteile GmbH & Co KG
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria
• Voestalpine Metal Forming GmbH
• Wilhelm Schwarzmüller GmbH