The submission deadline for contributions to the KT Colloquium 2026 is July 31, 2026. Take this opportunity to present your research to the scientific community and become part of this year’s event at Chemnitz University of Technology. The KT Colloquium provides an excellent platform, especially for early-career researchers, to: Event Dates The Institute of Mechanical
Behind every technological advancement is extensive research. At IKAT, we are part of a vibrant research community, developing innovative solutions for the technologies of tomorrow. In this video, we showcase our research activities and how they contribute to advancing sustainable and efficient technical systems.
On June 23 and 24, Mr. Muhammedi represented IKAT at the ECOROLL Research Partnership Days, where he presented his talk entitled „Strength Assessment of Deep-Rolled Interference Fits“. In his presentation, he provided insights into the strength potential of interference fits with deep-rolled contact surfaces. According to DIN 743, the increase in fatigue strength achieved by
Once again, time has followed its own optimization algorithm—and just like that, the semester has come to an end! Over the past few months, we have designed, analyzed, and learned together: from strengthening the fundamentals of engineering graphics to exploring the fascinating world of machine elements. We sincerely hope that the knowledge you have gained
On 3 July 2026, the Chair of Machine Elements and Product Development (MP) took part in the event „Start Your Summer Holidays with Chemnitz University of Technology“ at Neumarkt Square in Chemnitz. Numerous families, school students, and other visitors took the opportunity to explore the university’s wide range of interactive activities. The event was a
A new edited volume from the German Scientific Society for Product Development shows how sustainable product development can be shaped across the entire product lifecycle, featuring contributions from professors on topics such as lightweight design, life cycle assessment, circular economy, and digital twins. IKAT contributes a chapter examining material selection from a systems perspective, showing
From June 23 to 24, 2026, the PA AK Plain Bearings meeting was held at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) and the Institute for Machine Elements and Systems Engineering (MSE) in Aachen. Mr. Friedrich presented the current status of the „Kombilager II“ project (FVA 884 II). This was followed by Mr. Ebermann’s presentation
The Human-Environment-Technology (MUT) program at Chemnitz University of Technology is designed to cultivate female innovators. To achieve this, we combine knowledge and skills from many disciplines with a creative drive and the courage to innovate. That’s why we begin the program with the Environmental Module, where we take 15 field trips to explore different parts
From June 10–11, IKAT participated in the PA AK WNV working group meeting of the FVA Research Association for Drive Technology, hosted by Getriebebau NORD GmbH & Co. KG in Bargteheide. The event opened with Prof. Hasse presenting the final report on a research project focusing on high-speed electric machines. This was followed by Tobias
Our skittles evening quickly made one thing clear: the competitive spirit at IKAT is not limited to research and development. From the very first throw, everyone was fine-tuning their technique, speed, and accuracy in pursuit of the highest score. Particularly impressive was the performance of Prof. Erhard Leidich, former head of the professorship. With remarkable
Yesterday, the IKAT team swapped their desks for hiking boots. After arriving by train, we set off from Zschopau through the beautiful Ore Mountains in perfect weather, with a well-deserved and hearty break at Scharfenstein Castle, before continuing on to Wolkenstein Castle. The day was rounded off with a wonderful evening at the “Grenadier Restaurant”.
On the 6th and 7th of May Mr. Vivek Niel Jason Kanaparthy attended his first working group meeting as part of the working group Nichtschaltbarekupplungen in Bad Homburg, Frankfurt. The event was hosted by the multinational company Ringspann GmbH which specialises in design and manufacturing of freewheels, industrial brakes, shaft-hub connections, couplings and clutches. The
On May 5 and 6, 2026, IKAT, represented by Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Alexander Hasse and three research associates from the Strength Research Group, participated in the Dresden Machine Elements Colloquium 2026 held at the HYPERION Hotel Dresden am Schloss. The conference offered a diverse program featuring interdisciplinary contributions from both industry and academia and
Sustainability is no longer just a trend—it has become a key success factor in the product development process. This makes it all the more important to equip the engineers of tomorrow with the knowledge and mindset needed to tackle this critical challenge. This is exactly where the joint lecture series of the professorships within the
Integrated sensor technology directly in plain bearings – an exciting step for the next generation of industrial applications ⚙️. This will be realised in cooperation with TU Darmstadt. This concept is based on a capacitive sensor architecture with segmented electrodes, enabling highly precise measurements under real operating conditions 📊. The compact integration of shaft, housing,
The semester is now in full swing, and we are pleased to once again offer a diverse range of courses. In our classes, we cover the fundamental principles of product development and engineering design, while also providing deeper insights into topics such as machine learning and advanced product development. We look forward to many engaging
Mr. Dipl.-Ing. Bellmann impressed with an outstanding diploma thesis entitled “Numerical and experimental investigations of crack growth behavior under fretting fatigue loading” and joined IKAT as a research associate on April 1. He completed his mechanical engineering studies at TU Chemnitz with a focus on design engineering and product development. At IKAT, Mr. Bellmann will
Prof. Hasse presented an innovative calculation approach for describing the fatigue strength of shafts in polygonal and keyed connections at the 15th SAXSIM in Chemnitz. The focused presentation highlighted the still insufficiently understood phenomenon of fretting fatigue. Shaft–hub connections are among the most complex tribological systems. The interplay between tribological damage and simultaneous stress-induced damage
IKAT is pleased to announce a new scientific publication by Mr. Muhammedi in the renowned journal Engineering Research. The publication focuses on the design of keyed shaft connections and examines them under the criterion of allowable plastic deformation of the shaft keyway. At the center of the study is a newly developed design approach that
In 2026, IKAT will host the KT Kolloquium, the established early-career conference in the field of design engineering and machine elements. The event will take place in Chemnitz, Germany, from October 1 to October 2, 2026. An optional pre-event program will be offered on September 30, 2026, providing participants with the opportunity to explore the
It is particularly noteworthy when committed students align their academically rigorous research with their own entrepreneurial questions and real-world challenges—and deliberately choose IKAT researchers as their academic supervisors. This decision extends beyond individual commitment. It reflects confidence in an approach to teaching and research that systematically combines scientific excellence with practical relevance. Our practice-oriented teaching
At the Information Conference of Forschungsvereinigung Antriebstechnik e.V. (FVA), held on December 9–10, 2025, IKAT was represented with a wide range of technical presentations, once again demonstrating its strong presence within the drive technology research community. A particular highlight was the presentation by Mr. Muhammedi on the topic “Reconceptualization of DIN 6892.” His talk addressed
The cross-industry Saxon Simulation Users’ Meeting SAXSIM (Saxon Simulation Meeting) invites scientists and practitioners to the Central Lecture and Seminar Building of Chemnitz University of Technology on March 17, 2026. Now in its 15th edition, this well-established technical conference once again provides a platform for exchange on current simulation technologies, modeling methods, and innovative applications
At the plain bearing working group of the research associations FVV and FVA within the VDMA, Mr. Friedrich presented the results of the project “Kombilager II” (FVA 884 II). In addition, Mr. Ebermann provided an update on the project “Gleitlagersystemtoleranzen” (FVA 803 III). Further projects are planned for 2026, including one on the „Losringlager“ as
Thanks to a generous donation from Schaeffler, we were recently able to collect a roller bearing test rig from their site in Skalica. After a symbolic handshake on site, the equipment was safely loaded, with our transport team expertly handling the heavy machinery through the logistical challenges. Despite frosty temperatures in Slovakia, the journey went
On January 15, Chemnitz University of Technology welcomed prospective students and the public to its Open Day. The Institute of Advanced Materials and Lightweight Design (IKAT) was once again represented, offering engaging insights into research and teaching through its well-established 3D puzzle as well as an information booth for the degree program Human–Environment–Technology (MUT). The
Dear students, friends, colleagues and project partners, I would like to slowly bid farewell to the festive season. It is not without reason that my favourite machine elements accompany this greeting: the shaft-hub connection stands for strong cohesion, the plain bearing for stability and reliability, flexible mechanisms symbolise flexibility and creative approaches to solutions, the
On December 17, IKAT hosted its annual Christmas party. The event began with an exciting introduction to molecular gastronomy, providing a sweet source of motivation and a perfect start to the afternoon. Afterwards, the staff faced three engaging challenges. The first was a bridge-building challenge, where participants were tasked with constructing a bridge using classic
Case hardening is a thermochemical surface hardening process which, through carburisation and subsequent hardening, produces a high-strength, wear- and fatigue-resistant surface layer with a tough core, and is therefore used in particular for highly stressed notched gear shafts and bearing seats. In integral design concepts according to DIN 743 or FKM, the effective components of
On 20 November, we visited Kajamed GmbH together with participants in the Applied Engineering Projects course, part of the Advanced Manufacturing degree programme. The students gained an insight into the manufacture of orthopaedic products. With the knowledge they acquired here, they are now in a position to develop innovative solutions for the problem specified by
On December 9 and 10, IKAT presented the final results of its current research projects in the field of Welle-Nabe-Verbindungen during the FVA Information Conference. The contributions provided comprehensive insights into the latest methodological approaches, findings, and normative developments in drivetrain technology. The internal IKAT session was opened by Mr. Muhammedi with his presentation “Normative
Which loads can a component really withstand? How do I carry out a clean verification using the finite element method? These questions and others are addressed in the master’s module “Technische Festigkeitsberechnung.” Students acquire practical skills in the areas of FE simulation, programming with MATLAB, and strength verification according to the FKM guideline. They also
On November 26–27, IKAT took part in the annual FVA Autumn Working Group at the VDMA headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, showcasing its role as a key innovator in drivetrain technology. With a broad range of contributions on the design of shafts and shaft–hub connections, the institute once again demonstrated how cutting-edge research is transferred
On November 12, the IKAT team once again gathered for its traditional bowling night at the TSV Einheit Süd Chemnitz e.V. lanes — all with one goal in mind: to claim the coveted challenge trophy! From the very first throws, it was clear that no one came just to watch — this was serious (and
The module „Konstruktionslehre/Maschinenelemente“ forms a central basis of mechanical engineering studies. It teaches the methodological and practical principles for developing technical drawings. The classic design process is iterative: a new design is created through several optimisation steps in which function, load capacity and cost-effectiveness are improved. The final iteration is always created in compliance with
Last week, the new sustainability degree program “Mensch-Umwelt-Technik” started at Chemnitz University of Technology. As part of this, the nature module “Umwelt – Theorie durch Praxis” took place for the first time on October 17. After an introduction by Jan Reißmann (Chair of Machine Elements and Product Development) and Thomas Grund (Chair of Materials and
Dr. Paolo Cherubini is a postdoctoral research associate at Heriot-Watt University, based at its Orkney campus. He joined the Transition Engineering research group in 2022 as part of the Island Centre for Net Zero, where he contributes to place-based, action-oriented research addressing the complicated problems of the energy transition. Originally trained as a chemical engineer,
Hands-on experience! As an introduction to the Technische Festigkeitsberechnung (TFB) module, Professor Hasse offered students exciting insights into the IKAT testing facility. In addition to the classical shaft testing on rotating bending test rigs, the newly developed high-speed test bench was in the spotlight. This serves as motivation for learning the theoretical foundations of test
Dr. Florian Ahrens has been working as a postdoctoral researcher in the Sustainable Product Design group at IKAT at Chemnitz University of Technology since October 2025. Mr Ahrens completed his degree in process engineering at Dresden University of Technology in 2020. Until 2022, Mr Ahrens worked at the Faculty of Energy Technology in the field
We’re proud that our colleagues Mr. Stahr and Ms. Nettlenbusch represented IKAT at this year’s KT Colloquium — sharing their research and engaging in inspiring discussions with the engineering community. The event once again showed the value of collaboration, exchange, and fresh ideas across disciplines! A big thank you to Prof. Tremmel’s team and everyone
On October 2, the IKAT set out on an exciting treasure hunt through the Rabenstein Forest. The goal was to uncover a treasure left behind by former colleagues—now known mostly from stories passed down. The route led from the Rabenstein Viaduct past the castle and onward to the reservoir. There, among the trees with a
From 24 to 26 September 2025, the WiGeP (Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Produktentwicklung) held its annual meeting in Chemnitz, hosted by the Institut für Konstruktions- und Antriebstechnik (IKAT). The first two days took place at the Altes Heizhaus in the city center, featuring engaging discussions, the admission of new WiGeP members, and the presentation of awards
This study [1] introduces the sensor-integrating feather key (SiFK), a smart machine element that enables direct, calibration-free measurement of transmitted circumferential forces and torque in feather key connections. Through topology optimization and targeted stiffness design, the geometry is adapted so that only a minimal number of strain gauges are required to capture the complete deformation
On September 3, 2025, it was that time again: IKAT joined the Chemnitz Company Run. With a total of 12 runners, we took on the sporting challenge – and had a lot of fun along the way. Two of our colleagues drew special attention in the field: one braved the course in a T-Rex costume,
Keyed connections are among the most proven and widely used solutions for shaft–hub connections. They combine high functional reliability with exceptional ease of assembly and disassembly—qualities that have made them a standard in drive technology for decades. The design of torque transmission is based on the permissible surface pressure according to DIN 6892 [1], while
From 28 to 30 July 2025, ECOTRIB brought together leading scientists, engineers, and industry experts at ETH Zurich to exchange the latest research findings and explore forward-looking approaches in the field of tribology. We were delighted to present two of our current research projects during the poster session: The conference offered an exceptional breadth of
The term „bearing creep“ refers to irreversible relative movements in bearing seats. In general, two types of creep mechanisms can be distinguished: one rolling element-induced bearing creep and the other structure-induced bearing creep. Rolling element-induced creep results from deformations of the bearing ring, where the outer bearing ring moves in the rotational direction of the
As part of the KL/ME II lecture, students acquire in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of strength assessment for machine elements. This knowledge is applied in a semester-long design challenge, in which students develop a bridge structure that maximizes load-bearing capacity while minimizing self-weight. The bridge structures are made of wood and manufactured using laser cutting
In the early phases of the product life cycle, developers are increasingly turning to topology optimization methods to achieve an ideal material distribution. This approach, whose enormous potential has so far been only partially exploited, is associated with high computational effort. At IKAT, a novel AI-based computational approach has therefore been developed to specifically address
On July 10th, the student assistants and staff of IKAT came together for a fantastic barbecue evening. In a relaxed atmosphere, there was plenty of lively conversation, delicious grilled food, and the occasional cold drink. The undisputed highlight of the evening was the eagerly anticipated boßel challenge! The goal: to maneuver a machine element through