Lightweight construction laboratory

Welcome to the homepage of the Lightweight Design Laboratory

In the Lightweight Construction Laboratory at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences (Hall T52), products are developed that are characterized in a special way by aesthetics, functionality and efficiency. The equipment enables the efficient production of complex, high-quality load-bearing structures made of aluminum and fiber-reinforced plastic composites (FRP) on the one hand and the mechanical testing of these structures to verify their load-bearing capacity on the other. Highlights include the hot-air autoclave and the servo-hydraulic structural test bench. Practical engineering training becomes an unforgettable experience for our students. Opportunities for participation arise primarily through elective subjects and student project work.

Teaching

Aluminium-Fachwerkträger

As part of the course "Lightweight construction" (Master Mechanical Engineering), students experience a development task - from the load and installation space specification through to the load test on the first prototype. Riveted lightweight trusses made of aluminium profiles are realized in this context.

 

Modellsegelyacht

As part of some elective subjects and in connection with student project work, various industry-typical fiber composite technologies are applied in the lightweight construction laboratory using the example of a large, high-performance model sailing yacht.

 

Equipment

Heißluft-Autoklavanlage

Our autoclave enables us to manufacture complex fiber composite shell structures to the highest quality standards. Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: Maschinenbau Scholz
  • Internal length: 3,000 mm
  • Inner diameter: 1,000 mm
  • Max. Temperature: 200 °C
  • Max. Pressure: 10 bar

 

Servohydraulischer Strukturprüfstand

The servo-hydraulic structural test bench is designed as a modular system that can grow with the upcoming projects. Thanks to the integration of up to three servo-hydraulic axes and the variability of the test frame, the test stand can be adapted to new components and structures within wide limits. Specifications:

  • Manufacturer: DYNA-MESS
  • Hydraulic power: 30 kW
  • 1. Hydraulic axis: 120 mm stroke, 30 kN
  • Test and control software for various ramp-shaped and oscillating force/displacement curves.

 

Team

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Olaf Helms

olaf.helms(at)hs-emden-leer.de

+49 173 68 39 690

 

M.Eng. Dirk-Jan Bülthuis

dirk-jan.buelthuis(at)hs-emden-leer.de