The Institute of Metal Forming and Casting (utg) of the Technische Universität München (TUM) is located in Garching, approximately 20 km north of Munich.
The utg works in the field of production engineering, which is associated with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The institute’s four research groups focus on casting, metal forming, sheet metal cutting and simulation technologies.
Besides fundamental research the majority of the projects at the utg are financed by third-party funds and industrial partners. This gives us the possibility to apply our scientific practice close to industrial requirements. The casting technology group is made up of about 10 research associates, which focus on
- continuous casting,
- residual stress,
- tool and die technology as well as
- molding materials.
With our onsite continuous casting rig, we can investigate and optimize a wide range of horizontal and vertical non-ferrous casting processes. These processes are backed up by state of the art simulation models.
Besides classical methods of residual stress analysis (e.g. incremental hole-drilling) the cooperation with the Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibniz (FRM II), which is also located in Garching, gives us the exceptional opportunity of material characterization by neutron diffraction.
Furthermore, the tool and die technology for permanent mold casting processes and the analysis of mold materials is of major interest. With our 3D-printing system we are capable of producing inorganically bound sand molds and cores. These new binders bring sustainable advantages with respect to core and mold production as well as less gas emission during casting compared to organically bound sand molds and cores.
The utg offers mechanical engineering students a large variety of lectures and practical courses in the field of casting. Especially while students work on their theses (about 25 diploma, bachelor and master theses per year) they are extensively involved in our projects and get the chance to combine hands-on practical work with university research methods.