6th European Conference on Grinding a complete success
6th European Conference on Grinding a complete success
Organized by the Department of Production Engineering of the Leibniz Institute for Material Oriented Technologies, the European Conference on Grinding (ECG) took place on November 19 and 20, 2019, at the ATLANTIC Hotel Universum Bremen. In its meanwhile sixth edition, the 105 participants were able to follow the latest trends in grinding technology in 14 lectures. As is tradition, the conference started in the first session with a lecture by the host, Prof. Bernhard Karpuschewski, who spoke about function-oriented fine machining at Leibniz-IWT. Afterwards the participants got an overview of the abrasives markets in different parts of the world. Prof. Wilfried Saxler, in his function as President of the Association of Precision Tool Mechanics and Profilers of the GrindTec, the world's largest trade fair for grinding technology, presented the market in Germany / Europe. The markets in Asia and North America were brought together by the internationally recognised experts Prof. Yaolong Chen (Xi'an Jiaotong University) and Prof. Barbara Linke (UC California, Davis).
Subsequently, the increased complexity of the grinding process was presented in various lectures, including the latest trends in the simulation of grinding processes by Prof. Dirk Biermann from the Technical University of Dortmund. Also the use of intelligent systems in gear grinding machines was excellently presented by Mr. Friedrich Wölfel, Kapp Niles company.
Since the automotive industry traditionally plays a major role in the abrasives market and has a decisive influence on market development, this was addressed in a further session. The currently developing switch to electric mobility and its influence on abrasive technology played a major role here. After lectures by Dr. Stefan Schweickert (Daimler AG) and Dr. Werner Heuer (Schaeffler AG), this question was also addressed by Prof. Thomas Bergs, the new head of the Machine Tool Laboratory WZL at RWTH Aachen University.
Finally, the topic of automation and digitalisation in relation to grinding technology was also covered by presentations from manufacturers of abrasives and grinding machines. Here it became clear that these topics have found their way into grinding technology and that new, exciting product developments are emerging. The companies Hermes Schleifmittel GmbH, Studer AG and Tyrolit Schleifmittelwerke Swarovski K.G. were able to provide insights into the latest developments in this area.
Two off-topic presentations provided a look beyond the "edge of the plate", which ECG traditionally dares to take. Ms. Gabriela Meyer from Modern Life Seminars shared her assessment of the correct way to deal with customers and fellow human beings in her presentation "Business Etiquette for Engineers". Prof. Hansjörg Dittus from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) also gave an exciting lecture on the development of "Space flight - 50 years after the moon landing". A poster session, a lab tour through the experimental fields of Leibniz-IWT and an evening event at the Union Brewery rounded off the event.
The next ECG will probably take place in Aachen in two or three years and will be organized by the WZL.