Project leader: Michael Krommer

Project supervision: Andreas Brandl, Astrid Pechstein, Alexander Humer

Project co-worker: Leonhard Doppelbauer, Felix Unterberger

Project partner: Miba Gleitlager

Funding: FFG - Production of the Future

End date: 31.12.2025

Abstract:

The present project Characterization and Simulation of an Innovative Join Connection for Novel Plain Bearing Solutions is being carried out as part of a cooperation between Miba Gleitlager Austria GmbH (Miba) and the Institute of Technical Mechanics (TMech) at Johannes Kepler University Linz.

Traditional manufacturing methods for plain bearings are usually multi-stage and thus expensive processes. In order to reduce production costs and increase the degree of integration of plain bearings, thus creating additional added value for customers and their applications, Miba is currently developing an innovative new manufacturing process for plain bearings. This new manufacturing process enables the direct application of established plain bearing materials onto components. For this purpose electromagnetic pulse technology (EMPT) is being used. In this way, a new type of non-adhesive material composite is generated. Up to now such composite has not been used yet for tribologocially stressed components as e.g. plain bearings.

This join connection is being scientifically investigated with regard to its assessment. For this purpose, novel methods for modeling, numerical simulation and experimental characterization and their problem-oriented combination will be developed, which will further provide the basis for real design and behavior assessment. A successful project completion acts as the enabler of the EMPT technology for Miba. The first product envisaged is a directly coated planetary pin as a solution for a planetary gear section in the main gear box of wind turbines. In order to be able to establish EMPT as a future innovative manufacturing technology for plain bearings, the following key innovation areas act as the necessary basis: (1) development of a testing methodology, (2) development of a numerical methodology and (3) development of a contact assessment strategy.

Project leader: Michael Krommer

Project supervision: Astrid Pechstein

Project co-worker: Sebastian Platzer

Project partner: Wood Competence Center (WOOD K-Plus)

Funding: FFG - COMET-Module

End date: 31.12.2025

Projekt leader: Jürgen Schöftner

Project co-worker: Johannes Gahleitner

Project partners:

• Wilfried Becker, Technische Universiät Darmstadt, Germany
• Baruch Karp, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel

Funding: FWF - P 33305

End date: 31.12.2025

Abstract:

The generation of electrical charges in response to mechanical deformations is a distinctive feature of piezoelectric materials. This property can be exploited to avoid mechanical stresses, to prevent undesired deformations and also to develop position sensitive devices. This project focuses on the development of innovative control methods by means of smart or intelligent materials. The piezoelectric effect is similar to the well-known thermoelastic effect, which everybody faces in the daily routine. Most materials, like e.g. metals, expand when they are exposed to heat or temperature increase, but some also contract, e.g. water between 0C and 4C. Examples of this physical phenomenon are the expansion joints in road bridges to avoid damage from thermal expansion or the shattering of glass when pouring hot water into it. Inadmissibly high stress is prevented by the expansion gaps in the first example, whereas the sudden amount of heat causes excessive high strains in brittle objects such as glass in the latter example. Replacing the thermoelastic effect by the piezoelectric effect as well as the temperature and the heat flow by the corresponding electrical properties, i.e. the voltage and the charge flow, similar phenomena exist for piezoelectric materials. High levels of mechanical stress and deflection reduce the lifespan of construction components, which is true for nearly all types of materials. Smart or intelligent materials, that can actively counteract such effects, have been available for special applications for some years now. The so-called piezoelectric effect is the ability to convert energy between the mechanical and the electric domain. This means that a piezoelectric material reacts if is electrically actuated. If the motion of a construction is to be controlled, then it is also possible to manipulate the motion in a desired manner by influencing the electrical variables. This enables the development of intelligent control algorithms. Alternatively, it is possible to influence the stress distribution of these materials, if they are subject to arbitrary external forces. The aim of the project is to increase the durability and the life-cycle of materials and to derive new displacement tracking possibilities. The key for these smart solutions is based on accurate mathematical models, which yield explicit relations between external load cases and electrical actuation. In this project special focus is laid on rectangular strips or beam-type structures, since these are the main components of many engineering constructions (e.g. vehicle bodies, bridges, truss structures). Possible applications are the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the development of nano- and micro positioning devices.

Sub-projects:

1. MFP 1.2 – Next Generation Drive and Actuator Systems
2. MFP 2.1 – Process Simulation and Material Modeling
3. MFP 2.3 – Multi-physics Modeling and Simulation
4. STP 4.2 – Digital Twin and Simulation Credibility

Project leader: Michael Krommer

Project supervision: Helmut Holl, Astrid Pechstein, Alexander Humer

Co-workers: Hans Irschik, Sebastian Platzer, Marcus Winterer

Project partner: Linz Center of Mechatronics (LCM)

Funding: FFG - COMET-K2

End date: 31.12.2026