Students of Mechanical Engineering / Production and Management visit EMAG LaserTec in HeubachExcursion as part of the "Laser Technology 2" lecture enables students at Aalen University to make valuable contacts with industry shortly before graduation
Eine Exkursion im Rahmen der Vorlesung „Lasertechnik 2“ ermöglichte Studierenden der Hochschule Aalen kurz vor dem Abschluss wertvolle Kontakte zur Industrie. (Foto: privat)
The students of the Mechanical Engineering / Production and Management course returned enthusiastic from their excursion to the company EMAG LaserTec GmbH in Heubach. There, they were able to experience numerous laser processing methods, which they had learned about during their studies, in action directly on site. The visit was organized by Malena Lindenberger-Ullrich, who is responsible for teaching as part of the "Laser Technology 2" lecture. "The timing so close to the bachelor thesis is excellent for establishing contacts with industry," emphasizes Malena Lindenberger-Ullrich.
The hosts of EMAG LaserTec GmbH in Heubach had put together a varied and informative program for the students. Nikolas Mayer, Business Unit Manager - Sales and Application, started with an overview of the company's history, technology spectrum and locations. In doing so, he emphasized the importance of good training for future specialists, because they secure the future of the company: "That's why we place a lot of emphasis on getting young people excited about our technologies as early as possible and integrating them into the company," he explained.
Martin Fritz, Team Leader Development, then gave an insight into the laser material processing methods used at EMAG LaserTec, such as laser deep welding, laser cleaning and laser buildup welding. Here, the students could see that what they had learned in the lecture is actually needed and applied in industry. Martin Fritz impressed the students with numerous demonstrations - the laser buildup welding of brake discs was particularly memorable: Here, a hard material layer is applied to the brake discs to reduce fine dust pollution.
The visit ended with a tour of EMAG, led by Michael Franzmann, Business Unit Manager - Technology. Particularly impressive for the students was being able to experience the equipment for a wide variety of applications on site, which they had learned about in the "Laser Technology 2" lecture. "They are currently in their 7th semester, so they will be writing their bachelor's theses in the coming semester," explained lecturer Malena Lindenberger-Ullrich. "So now is a very good time to make direct contacts with industry." The students praised the pleasant atmosphere as well as the friendly and relaxed interaction within the company. "I will be happy to return with future students. We have already agreed that there will be another excursion to EMAG LaserTec in the summer, this time for students from 'Laser Technology 1'," she announced.
Info: The students are already familiar with numerous laser applications used at EMAG LaserTec GmbH, such as laser welding, from laboratory experiments at the university. These take place in the laboratories of the LaserApplicationCenter (LAZ) at Aalen University as part of the lectures "Laser Technology 1 and 2" in the bachelor's degree programs in Mechanical Engineering / Production and Management and Optical Engineering. The LaserApplicationCenter (LAZ), headed by Prof. Dr. Harald Riegel, works on research topics related to laser process technology in the fields of lightweight construction, electrical energy storage (battery technology), electromobility and additive manufacturing. The research is also carried out with students from the above-mentioned courses of study, who are thus integrated into the work of an engineer at an early stage as research assistants. More info is available at: www.hs-aalen.de/laz.