The group from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida and BAM scientists Jens Koch (2nd from right) and Dr.-Ing. Pedro Portella (right outside) at BAM’s headquarters.
Source: BAM
While most students in the US celebrated Independence Day on July 4, some students from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida spent an exciting day at BAM – with no parade and fireworks but exclusive views into materials technology and the future of welding.
After a brief introduction about BAM’s various tasks and research, the first step was to visit the Materials Engineering Department. Theory was immediately followed by practice: the guided tour through the laboratories showed many illustrative examples explaining where and what technologies can be used for materials tests everywhere.
Insights into state-of-the-art welding technology were subsequently given in the Welding Technology Division. Among other things the precision pulsed laser equipment, which is used by various BAM working groups for their research, was shown. This involves the most precise surface structuring during welding and also the optimisation of processes and tools to reduce wear phenomena. The research is needed for automotive bodywork where the progressive trend towards composite construction and the use of new materials poses a hard test for conventional welding and forming processes.
The students concluded that a visit to Berlin itself is very worth it – and a visit to BAM is definitely the highlight.