Teaching must be more than theory – it must be applicable. With technologies such as laser trackers, 3D printing and reverse engineering, we bring industry directly into the lecture hall and give students tools that will really help them advance in the world of work
says Mathias Pelka, Professor of Automation Technology at the TH Lübeck. He organized the offer together with his colleague Thomas Willemsen, who teaches and researches practical geodesy and engineering surveying as a professor at the HS Neubrandenburg.
Exact copies from the 3D printer
The focus of the workshops is on the precise measurement of 3D objects. These objects can be special elements in production machines or any other objects. Existing industrial products are digitally recorded using state-of-the-art laser trackers and photogrammetric processes and converted into virtual model structures.
These virtual copies play a central role in the modern manufacturing industry, particularly in quality assurance. This checks whether the copies correspond to the technical drawings. If there are no drawings left at all, you save yourself the time-consuming reconstruction and can reproduce the part straight away in the 3D printer. The method is incredibly precise
explains Pelka. The deviations between the original and the copy from the 3D printer are on average less than 50 µm. This is approximately the thickness of a human hair.
Essential skills for the world of work
The focus of the workshops is on practice-oriented teaching: the students work in mixed teams made up of different disciplines from the TH Lübeck and the HS Neubrandenburg. This interdisciplinary way of working promotes the exchange of ideas and perspectives and reflects typical challenges from everyday professional life. By working together, participants can not only acquire technical know-how, but also strengthen valuable soft skills such as teamwork and communication – skills that are indispensable in the modern working world.
Photogrammetry: Non-destructive photos for the best results
Another highlight was a guest lecture by Ingo Jahn, an expert from GDV Systems from Bad Schwartau. Under the title Photogrammetry in practice He presented the basics of this technology and showed its diverse application possibilities in an industrial environment. With the help of photogrammetry, complex geometries such as: B. Hulls of airplanes, ships or even large astronomical parabolic antennas, measured precisely and examined for weak points. Photogrammetry means using images to precisely measure an object. This method works completely non-destructively and therefore enables sensitive structures to be examined without causing damage.
Practical test: passed!
The offer is rounded off with an excursion to Coherent in Lübeck, a leading company in the field of laser technology. This visit offers participants the opportunity to experience current developments in laser technology directly in production and thus experience the bridge between theory and practice.
Organizer Pelka is satisfied after the end of the program: The exchange showed how practice-oriented and relevant teaching at the TH Lübeck and the HS Neubrandenburg is. The combination of modern technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration and direct reference to industrial applications provides students with valuable skills for their professional future. At the same time, this event laid the foundation for further innovative collaborations between the two universities.