Build A Bridge Between Business And Science

Young scientists are the future of industry and with their theses they often already make an important contribution to future developments. The Schaeffler FAG Foundation has been funding science, research and teaching for 30 years and has now honored four young scientists with their Innovation Award 2016 for their theses in the field of bearing technology. Since its foundation in 1983, the foundation has already distributed more than one million euros in funding to colleges and universities. The Innovation Award 2016 received prize money of 21,000 euros.

Topics from storage technology

All students who are involved in scientific research on storage technology can participate and apply. This includes rolling, sliding and magnetic bearings for mechanical engineering, the automotive and aerospace industries for both rotary and linear movements and related developments, applications and processes.

Picture gallery

Picture gallery with 5 pictures

With the funding, Schaeffler wants to bridge the gap between business and science and strengthen Germany as a location for innovation, said Dietmar Heinrich, CEO Europe at Schaeffler and foundation board member, in his keynote speech at this year's presentation of the Innovation Award in Schweinfurt. He and the Board of Trustees and Head of HR Automotive Klaus Widmaier congratulated the award winners for their excellent results. “We were delighted with the high quality of all the submitted work. The choice was difficult for us,”said Widmaier.

Overview of laureates of the Innovation Award 2016:

In the dissertation category, the first prize, endowed with 8000 euros, went to Dr.-Ing. Thorben Schiemann for his doctoral thesis "Mechanisms of Wrinkle Formation when Bunching on Hollow Extruded Parts".

Additional information on the subject of the first prize in the dissertation category: Dr.-Ing. Thorben Schiemann

The 1st prize in the dissertation category went to Dr.-Ing. Thorben Schiemann (University of Stuttgart, Faculty of Design, Production and Vehicle Technology, Institute of Forming Technology, Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. hc Mathias Liewald) with the doctoral thesis "Mechanisms of Wrinkle Formation on Bundles on Hollow Extruded Parts".

His work relates to the development of a methodology for the improved prediction of the failure form of the fold formation during the extrusion of cylindrical, high semi-finished products. In the production of high-performance components in machine and vehicle construction with regard to extreme lightweight construction requirements or high power density, manufacturing processes are increasingly being used in modern metal forming technology, which were selected on the basis of holistic resource efficiency. The main goal of Dr.-lng. Thorben Schiemann developed and evaluated technological measures for the identification of previously unknown or as yet unexamined factors influencing the formation of wrinkles during the upsetting of hollow extruded parts. Based on the extensive experimental database, Dr.-lng.Schiemann developed an empirical wrinkle criterion and implemented it in a commercial simulation program, which can be used to predict 2nd type wrinkling with a high degree of accuracy.

Dr.-lng. Benjámin Radnai look forward. In his dissertation, he dealt with the topic "Mechanisms of action in stressed roller bearings".

Additional information on the topic of second place in the dissertation category: Dr.-Ing. Benjámin Radnai

The 2nd prize in the dissertation category was awarded to Dr.-Ing. Benjámin Radnai (TU Kaiserslautern, Chair for Machine Elements and Transmission Technology, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Sauer) for his doctoral thesis "Mechanisms of Action in Stressed Rolling Bearings".

Purpose of Dr.-lng. Radnai saw the rolling bearing as a complex electrical component. In particular, it is about recognizing what influences such as bearing size, bearing load, speed, temperature and lubricant have. To solve this issue, Dr.-lng. Radnai carried out both experiments and model considerations with simulations. A special bearing current test bench was developed to be able to investigate the mechanisms of action in the case of stressed rolling bearings. For the first time, this enabled the effects of electrical and mechanical operating parameters to be examined independently of each other compared to the existing test benches. The measurements served as the basis and validation of a new calculation model with which bearing currents can be predicted. Dr.-Ing.Radnais clear analysis of the electrical conductivity of the ball bearing depending on the operating conditions, the lubricating film thickness and the surface quality shows scientifically highly interesting results with worldwide novelty value.

The first prize (6000 euros) went to M. Sc. Stephan Hahn for his master thesis "Possible uses of additive manufacturing processes in spindle bearings".

Additional information on the topic first place category Master's and diploma thesis: M. Sc. Stephan Hahn

The 1st prize went to M. Sc. Stephan Hahn (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Chair of Construction Technology, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sandro Wartzack and Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Schweinfurt) for his master's thesis "Possible uses of additive manufacturing processes in spindle bearings".

In his master's thesis, he shows in detail the strengths and weaknesses of the current state of the art in terms of additive manufacturing and from this systematically derives the existing application potential with regard to spindle bearing components. The entire spindle bearing system is to be technically and economically optimized through the use of new manufacturing technologies. The findings that M. Sc. Hahn has won in his work, is an important basis for being able to economically manufacture spindle bearing components in small quantities in the short and medium term using additive manufacturing processes. This applies in particular to cover disks, possibly also to cages, and also to an additively manufactured DLR spacer.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Daniel Ziegler, who in his diploma thesis dealt with an “Analysis of damage mechanisms on roller bearing cages in the application of a dual mass flywheel”.

Additional information on the topic of second place in the master's and diploma thesis category: Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Daniel Ziegler

The foundation awarded a second prize to Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Daniel Ziegler (University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gregor Mengelkamp and Schaeffler Technologies GmbH Co. KG, Schweinfurt) for his diploma thesis "Analysis of damage mechanisms on roller bearing cages in the application of a dual-mass flywheel".

The starting point of his investigations was a return analysis; typical damage patterns were examined and possible damage mechanisms assigned. Simulations were used to identify which operating conditions are the most harmful to the rolling bearing cage. In the first place here is the stepping of the clutch, which places a particularly heavy load on the roller bearing cages due to a larger axial load on the bearing. However, starting the engine and idling can also cause damage. Ziegler compared the three cage designs "sheet metal snap cage", "welding cage" and "plastic snap cage" and came to the conclusion that the "welding cage" is best suited for use in the DMF bearing. Alternatively, rivet cages are also possible because they allow precise centering.

(sh)

Hanover Fair 2017

Deutsche Messe announces the Hermes Award 2017

Promotion of young talent

Is Generation Z (ombie) coming?