Smart Materials and Plastics Processing

In the Smart Materials and Plastics Processing laboratory, the properties and processing of materials are investigated and optimised, especially smart materials. These smart materials are materials that change their properties or shape through active control (e.g. via temperature, electrical voltage, magnetic field). They are increasingly being used in practice, for example in the fields of medicine and sensor technology.
The plastics industry is an important economic factor as it produces numerous products. In the Smart Materials and Plastics Processing laboratory, several plants and peripherals are available for processing and preparing plastics through drying, granulation, shredding, extrusion, kneading, thermoforming, additive manufacturing, etc.
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) makes it possible to produce prototypes, small series or functional components. Different technologies and materials are used in this field. The topics of recycling and sustainability also play an important role.
The Smart Materials and Plastics Processing laboratory is available to students as part of their education and also supports the Research & Development department in various scientific projects. If capacity is available, there is the possibility of carrying out projects with industrial partners.

• Single screw and twin screw extruder
• Film blowing device
• Melt pump
• Roll pelletiser with water bath
• Thermoformer (vacuum)
• Shredder (type: Goliath)
• Cutting mill (type: pulverisette)
• 3D printer (FDM, SLA (8K), SLS)
• Compounder (filament production)
• Granulate dryer
• 50 W fibre laser