The 13th Ranshofen Light Metals Days 2024 took place on 26 and 27 September at the Hotel Gut Brandlhof in Saalfelden and offered a high-level platform for experts from science and industry under the title “Light Metals Innovations for Environmental and Economic Sustainability”. The event, organized by the LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, was clearly dominated by the current challenges and opportunities facing the light metals industry in the context of decarbonization and digitalization.
The importance of lightweight design
Walter Mauritsch from the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) opened the conference, highlighting the importance of lightweight design as a key technology for the mobility transition and the circular economy. He said that lighter materials and sustainable design approaches could save both resources and energy, which would strengthen the competitiveness of the Austrian economy and contribute to climate protection. Lightweight construction is a driver of innovation that actively contributes to achieving the goals of the mobility master plan.
Key topics and sessions
Die Leichtmetalltage waren in drei thematische Sessions gegliedert: Digitalisierung, nachhaltige Prozessentwicklung sowie innovative Leichtmetalle und deren Charakterisierung.
Session 1: Digitalization in the context of circularity
The first session, chaired by Prof. Norbert Enzinger (Graz University of Technology), was dedicated to the potential of digitalization to advance sustainability and resource conservation in metal processing. In his keynote speech “All AI or what?”, Werner Fragner (AMAG Austria Metall AG) emphasized the importance of data quality and the challenges of data collection. Success stories from the field showed how artificial intelligence (AI) can increase productivity and improve quality assurance. The presentation by Marlene Johler (Hammerer Aluminium Industries) impressively demonstrated how the interplay of appropriate measures leads to optimal results in reducing CO2 in production. One example is the alloy SustaiAl2.0 from HAI, which has a CO2 footprint that is only one-ninth of the usual value. Another highlight of the session was the contribution by Daniela Kirchberger (Profactor) and Johannes Österreicher (LKR), who provided insights into the “Zero Defect Manufacturing” project. This is a data-based approach to avoiding rejects and optimizing thermal pretreatment in order to enable green production in the future.
Session 2: Sustainable process development
This session, chaired by Annika Haemmerle (Neuman Aluminium Industries), took an in-depth look at the decarbonization of industrial processes. In his keynote speech “Megatrends to Lightweighting”, Christian Vogl from MAGNA International Europe highlighted the necessity of a clever choice of materials. For the circular economy, having the right material in the right place is crucial to ensure sustainability. Another future-oriented topic, so-called GigaCasting, was presented by Florian Hengsbach (University of Paderborn). This involves large-scale casting processes that reduce the use of materials and require high-performance tools. Thomas Hipke (Fraunhofer IWU), in turn, talked about new applications for aluminum foams, which awakened almost nostalgic memories in the audience, as this material has been discussed in lightweight construction for a long time. And Stephan Ucsnik (LKR) presented the implementation of complex geometries using wire-based additive manufacturing, using the example of a hydrogen tank.
Panel discussion: From current challenges to future solutions
At the beginning of the second day of the 13th Ranshofen Light Metal Days 2024, Carina Schlögl (LKR) chaired a panel discussion that took an in-depth look at the current challenges and future perspectives of the light metal industry. Walter Mauritsch (BMK) emphasized the importance of close cooperation between industry, research and administration in order to advance innovations more quickly. Katharina Faerber (Handtmann) emphasized that innovations such as megacasting must be actively designed to ensure competitive advantage. Florian Danmayr (Business Upper Austria, Automobil Cluster) underlined the central role of lightweight construction for economic and ecological goals, which are promoted by innovative approaches and cooperation Christian Vogl (MAGNA) pointed out the increasing importance of recycling and clean energy sources in order to make e-mobility more cost-efficient and sustainable. Despite all the challenges, there remained a shared belief in the innovative strength of the industry, which Carina Schlögl summed up with the words: “We love lightweight design!”
Session 3: Innovative light metals and their characterization
The third and final session, chaired by Hajo Dieringa (Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon), focused on the latest developments in material characterization and the application of innovative light metals. Prof. Randi Holmestad from NTNU impressed with outstanding images of aluminum alloys using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which open up new approaches for process optimization. René De Kloe showed the advances in electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to better understand microstructural changes during the forming of titanium alloys. The lecture by Prof. Stefan Pogatscher (Montanuniversität Leoben), who discussed the use of scrap from old cars for the development of new aluminum alloys, also received particular attention. This is a decisive step towards decarbonization and the recycling of materials in the automotive industry.
Side events and networking opportunities
Alongside the lectures, renowned companies presented the latest technologies at an extensive industry exhibition. In a poster exhibition, scientists presented their current research results, which led to a lively exchange between industry and research. The traditional evening reception offered a further opportunity for networking and developing new project ideas.
Conclusion
Christian Chimani, Managing Director of LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen, sums up: “The 13th Ranshofen Light Metal Days provided an ideal platform for exchanging ideas about the future of the light metal industry, particularly with regard to decarbonization and digitalization. The high-level presentations and discussions provided valuable impetus for the sustainable and innovative development of the industry. The Light Metal Days 2024 showed that cooperation and innovation are the key to overcoming current and future challenges.
The conference proceedings are available to download here: Conference proceedings Light Metal Days
The photo gallery: Pictures of the Light Metal Days
The 13th Ranshofen Light Metal Days 2024 were organized in accordance with the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel for Green Events.
We would like to thank the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), AMAG Austria Metall AG, 4a engineering GmbH, iba Austria AG, Nedschroef, UAR Upper Austrian Research GmbH and voestalpine AG for their support!