On the 13rd of February 2025, Hendrik Wester successfully completed his doctorate at the Institute of Forming Technology and Machines (IFUM) at Leibniz Universität Hannover. His dissertation with the title:
“Numerical and experimental investigations into the combined forming of organic sheet and steel cover sheets, taking into account the formation of composites”
provides ground-breaking findings for the development of hybrid lightweight structures and makes a significant contribution to the further development of resource-efficient manufacturing processes.
Scientific progress through innovative modelling
The focus of the investigations was on the combination of steel and fibre-reinforced plastic (organic sheet), whereby promising potential was observed in the area of sustainable mobility in particular. Comprehensive experimental investigations and numerical simulations in Abaqus were used to develop a modelling concept that realistically depicts the specific material properties. The results enable the optimised design and production of hybrid lightweight components with high functional density and resource efficiency.
Important contribution for IFUM
Hendrik Wester has not only distinguished himself as head of the “Material Characterisation and Simulation” team through his broad expertise, but also through the submission of numerous innovative applications, through which he has significantly advanced the further development of the department. His commitment contributed significantly to the expansion of research activities at IFUM and provided new impetus for science.
The entire IFUM team would like to congratulate Hendrik Wester on this outstanding success and thank him for his valuable contribution to research! We wish him continued success for the future.
