The joint symposium of the GFE - Gesellschaft für Fertigungstechnik und Entwicklung Schmalkalden e.V., the VDMA Precision Tools Association and Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences began yesterday with around 150 participants. Various topics relating to toolmaking were presented in the university's Audimax.
On the first day, the focus was on the question of suitable processes: Which process is most useful for which object or production method? For example, when is it worth using 3D printing and when is milling recommended? The technology of tool production using lasers was also presented, thus expanding the range of available technologies once again.
One relevant aspect was productivity, i.e. the usability of products and services, which also demonstrated the connection to companies and their requirements. In research and development, there are also close cooperative relationships with partners from industry, who presented their projects in lectures.
A second central point was sustainability, as was also made clear in the conference motto "Tool technology and manufacturing technologies in transition: technological - economic - ecological". Mechanical engineering sees itself as a driver of progress towards the careful use of resources, as demonstrated by the "carbon footprint" approach. With the help of new technologies, not only can efficiency and complexity be increased, but the consumption of materials and energy can also be reduced.
The evening was rounded off with a visit to Viba Nougatwelt. The second day of the conference will be dedicated to issues such as coatings and micro-tools and will be crowned by a visit to GFE in the afternoon.