Bachelor’s Thesis or Master’s Thesis
© IKVTopic of the Thesis:
The fiber orientation in screw extrusion additive manufacturing (SEAM) is primarily influenced by the strand placement. The challenge is therefore to identify the factors influencing the resulting fiber orientation and to systematically analyze their effects. For this purpose, a test plan is developed that takes various parameters into account, including nozzle size, layer height, extruder and robot speed and temperature. The samples obtained are then characterized using computer tomography (CT) or thin sections in order to precisely determine the fibre orientation. The results are evaluated using non-linear regression to quantitatively represent the relationship between the experimental factors and the resulting fiber orientation. This methodology makes it possible to gain deeper insights into the process parameters of SEAM and to derive potential optimization approaches for future applications.
The Thesis is related to this Research Project:
The work is part of the Collaborative Research Center TRR 402 “DediGrad”. It researches production methods for the optimal combination of fiber composite and plastic technologies. The mechanical properties are to be specifically adjusted by local variation of the fiber orientation and the fiber volume content.
Objective:
The aim of the thesis is to identify factors influencing fiber orientation, characterize them and apply them in a targeted manner.
Your Tasks:
| For a Bachelor's thesis, you will work on the following tasks: | For a Master's thesis, you will work on the following tasks: |
| Research on fiber orientation in SEAM | Research on fiber orientation in SEAM |
| Development of test plans to determine the main influencing factors | Development of test plans to determine the main influencing factors |
| Production of test specimens for the investigation of fiber orientation | Production of test specimens for the investigation of fiber orientation |
| Characterization of the resulting fiber orientation using CT and thin sections | Characterization of the resulting fiber orientation using CT and thin sections |
| Non-linear regression for targeted changes in fiber orientation |
Your Profile:
- Technical or scientific studies (e.g. mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, automation technology, CES, …)
- Interest in additive manufacturing
- Fun with practical experiments
- Basic understanding of the SEAM process is an advantage
- Independent, structured and autonomous work
- Interest in working on pioneering research projects
If you are interested in this exciting range of topics and would like to help shape the future of additive manufacturing, we will be happy to work together to develop a topic tailored to your needs. Feel free to contact me by e-mail, phone or in person at the IKV. I look forward to your message!