Studies – How does the IART of the TU Freiberg empower your engineering studies? Innovation through sustainable raw materials!

09. October 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Day 2 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gypsum rock and shrimp have in common?

First stop: Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG in Beckum

Today, we started the second day of our field trip of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines at the Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG in Beckum. On-site, we received a brief introduction into the company’s R&D department for mineral processing by its head, Dr.-Ing. Falk Silbermann. He then reported on a new process, the so-called torrefaction, to roast biomass and biogenic waste – similar to the production of coffee – to make biochar by means of an energy self-sufficient process. To this end, wood pellets, straw and manufacturing waste (for instance from sugar production), green waste or organic waste, among other things, can be used.

During our tour of the R&D department’s technical center, we then learned how to test new raw materials for cement production on a pilot scale to ensure that the subsequently built aggregates and equipment perform perfectly for each and every customer in their respective application. Continue reading “Day 2 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gypsum rock and shrimp have in common?”

08. October 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Day 1 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gummy bears and microphones for hard rock singers have in common?

Both make use of wire mesh of the medium-sized family business Haver & Boecker OHG in Oelde, founded in 1887!

On Monday, 08 October, our group of students and staff of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) visited the wire weaving division – one of the two business units of Haver & Boecker – in Oelde. After arriving from Freiberg, we received a warm welcome during a joint lunch by the company’s managing partner, Mr. Walter Haver, as well as Mr. Michael Stichling – responsible for the field of industrial wire screens.

A short presentation on its history and the current product portfolio was followed by an interesting tour of the company. Starting with the delivery and inspection of the wires, we were shown the complete manufacturing process of the 3,600 different specifications of wire mesh products. Haver & Boecker’s wire weaving division – also known as “Die Drahtweber” – produces precision fabrics out of wires between 15 μm and 6.3 mm in diameter in Oelde. 15 μm – i.e. 0.015 mm – is a much thinner diameter than the one of a human hair, which has a diameter of 0.04 – 0.1 mm! No wonder that Mr. Stichling did not immediately find the end of the wire on the spool 😉 Continue reading “Day 1 of the IAM Rhineland field trip, or: What do gummy bears and microphones for hard rock singers have in common?”

08. September 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

Excellent prospects for engineers: Ifo Institute Dresden confirms high industry growth in East Germany

Increase in employment in the manufacturing sector, especially in Saxony and Thuringia

As the German regional broadcaster Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) reported last Wednesday, industrial firms of all sizes have recorded an employment growth of 12% in these two federal states since 2007! Joachim Ragnitz from the Ifo Institute Dresden emphasized the high degree of industrialization and the long industrial tradition of Thuringia and Saxony, as well as the increasing innovativeness of the companies based there. By now, every 7th employee in Saxony again works in an industrial company! Continue reading “Excellent prospects for engineers: Ifo Institute Dresden confirms high industry growth in East Germany”

05. September 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

IAESTE student completes stay at the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines

Benjamin during the measurement of the ore samples in the pilot plant of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) mechanical engineering environmental engineering industrial engineering — Benjamin during the measurement of the ore samples in the pilot plant of the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) (click to enlarge)

Benjamin Alexander Hernandez from Nicaragua, a degree student at the Lomonosov Moscow State University, completed his two-month stay at the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) on 30 August as part of the IAESTE exchange program. During his time in Freiberg, he assisted us with the crushing, classification/sorting and analysis of ores in our pilot plant in a nearby quarry.

Benjamin operated our jaw crusher and screening machine to preprocess the test material. He then divided it into representative samples, with which he then fed our impact mill. He also took time, weight and wear measurements. Continue reading “IAESTE student completes stay at the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines”

24. August 2018 – Christian Jan Heiner Wolterink

In 4 months’ time, Santa Claus is coming to town…

Christmas at the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines (IAM) processing technology TU Bergakademie Freiberg Prof. Holger Lieberwirth — Click to play video (external video player required)

…but our crushers at the Institute of Mineral Processing Machines can do so much more than just prepare glitter balls 😉 and shred reindeer!

Not quite convinced yet? You are more then welcome to watch and witness our jaw, cone, roller, impact or hammer crushers at work on site in our IAM laboratories!

And why not enrol in a mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, or industrial engineering study program at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and specialize in the field of processing technology?

Apply for the upcoming winter term until 30 September and become one of our new pioneers! 😀