Applied research and development in materials, manufacturing technology and intelligent production systems
Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA)
Karlsruhe (Moltkestraße 30) · Karlsruhe (Amalienstraße) · Karlsruhe (Daimlerstraße) · Karlsruhe (Hoffstraße) · Karlsruhe (Durlacher Allee) · Karlsruhe (Wilhelm-Schickard-Straße) · KarlsruheNew on Amplifa
About Hochschule Karlsruhe
Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) is a university of applied sciences based in Karlsruhe and, as a public law corporation, works closely with private-sector companies. Its core offerings for industrial partners include contract research, feasibility studies, prototype development, simulation and modeling, measurement and testing services, and the provision of laboratory infrastructure. The Institute of Materials and Processes (IMP) focuses on the design, analysis and quality assurance of materials and manufacturing processes, and offers machining up to 5-axis simultaneous milling, electrical discharge machining (EDM), injection molding with 3D-printed mold inserts, additive manufacturing (FFF and SLM) as well as fiber composites and sandwich structures. Other institutes conduct research in digital materials science, intelligent production systems, and AI in work and production. Research priorities include innovative mobility concepts, resources and climate, intelligent systems, and work and production.
- Site
- Karlsruhe
- Processes
- Milling up to 5-axis simultaneous machining, Turning, Ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining, Electrical discharge machining (wire, sinker and hole-drilling EDM), Injection molding (mold inserts made using 3D printing technology), Extrusion: filament production, Additive manufacturing (FFF & SLM), Fiber-reinforced composites & sandwich structures
- Materials
- Fiber-reinforced composites, Sandwich structures, Additive manufacturing (FFF & SLM), Injection molding with 3D-printed mold inserts, Milling up to 5-axis simultaneous machining, Electrical discharge machining (wire, sinker and hole-drilling EDM), Ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining, Materials testing / material and microstructure characterization
- Industries
- University of Applied Sciences (education/research), Innovative mobility concepts, Resources and climate, Intelligent systems, Work and production, Research priorities: innovative mobility concepts, resources and climate,
- 01
Cooperation inquiry and needs analysis
- 02
Feasibility study / consulting
- 03
Research and development (contract research, joint projects)
- 04
Prototype development and laboratory trials
- 05
Materials testing and process analysis
- 06
Transfer into industrial practice
Processes and Materials Competencies
Fiber-reinforced composites
Development and processing of fiber-reinforced composites, including within R&D projects and student competition projects.
Sandwich structures
Analysis and optimization of sandwich structures for lightweight components.
Additive manufacturing (FFF & SLM)
Additive manufacturing processes for prototypes and functional parts with AI-supported adjustment of process parameters.
Injection molding with 3D-printed mold inserts
Production of injection molding inserts using 3D printing technology for rapid prototype series.
Milling up to 5-axis simultaneous machining
Highly complex machining of prototypes and test specimens.
Electrical discharge machining (wire, sinker and hole-drilling EDM)
Machining of difficult-to-machine materials and complex contours for tool and mold making.
Ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining
Machining process for hard and brittle materials.
Materials testing / material and microstructure characterization
Detailed analysis of materials and process results as a unique selling point of the IMP.
Simulation and modeling
Multiscale material simulation and process simulation for the optimization of manufacturing processes.
Locations
Karlsruhe (Moltkestraße 30)
DEHead office / main campus
Karlsruhe (Amalienstraße)
DEBranch office (AM)
Karlsruhe (Daimlerstraße)
DEBranch office (DA)
Karlsruhe (Hoffstraße)
DEBranch office (HO)
Karlsruhe (Durlacher Allee)
DEBranch office at the Regional Council (RP)
Karlsruhe (Wilhelm-Schickard-Straße)
DEBranch office Technology Park (TP), among others the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Production Systems
Karlsruhe (Hertzstraße)
DEBranch office Westhochschule (HE)
Research and Service Offerings
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milling up to 5-axis simultaneous machiningMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| TurningMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ultrasonic vibration-assisted machiningMachining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Electrical discharge machining (wire, sinker and hole-drilling EDM)Machining | – | – | – | – | – |
| Injection molding (mold inserts made using 3D printing technology)Plastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Extrusion: filament productionPlastics | – | – | – | – | – |
| Additive manufacturing (FFF & SLM)Additive | – | – | – | – | – |
| Fiber-reinforced composites & sandwich structuresJoining | – | – | – | – | Fiber-reinforced composites |
| Materials testing / material and microstructure characterizationTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services