Düsseldorf, 24.05.2024

At the end of April, a delegation of experts from the Weiqiao (Suzhou) Lightweight Center traveled to Germany to initiate research collaborations and enhance exchanges.

• Further Research and Development Agreements in Germany

On April 25, 2024, the Weiqiao (Suzhou) Lightweight Center officially signed a significant research project titled “Prediction Model for the Springback of #Aluminum Profiles” with the Institute for Metal Forming (IBF) at RWTH Aachen University. This marks the beginning of a deeper collaboration between both parties in the field of advanced aluminum forming technologies.

Since 2023, the delegation has established contact with the Institute of Metallurgical Process Engineering (IME). During the current visit, a collaboration to develop a “Vacuum Distillation and Refining Technology for Removing Insoluble Elements from Recycled Aluminum” was agreed upon.

• Exchange and Networking with German Research Institutes

Along with a team from the Weiqiao European Center for Technology and Innovation, the Chinese expert delegation visited additional research institutes. Notably, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM and the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM expressed interest in long-term cooperation with the Weiqiao Group. The planned collaboration includes topics such as die casting, lifespan predictions of aluminum structures, process simulations, and the analysis of material failure mechanisms.

In discussions at the Institute of Forming Technology and Lightweight Construction (IUL) of the Technical University of Dortmund, its director, Prof. Tekkaya, provided detailed insights into over 70 years of technological expertise and new developments in aluminum forming technology. The institute’s experience in collaborating with industry partners from the automotive sector makes it an interesting partner for the Weiqiao Group.

• Future Prospects for International Cooperation

The visit of the Weiqiao (Suzhou) Lightweight Center underscores the Weiqiao Group’s pursuit of technological advancement in the aluminum industry. Its cutting-edge technology and development capabilities make Weiqiao a valuable partner for German research. The Weiqiao European Center for Technology and Innovation will play an increasingly important role in future international cooperation and technology transfer.