On May 21^st our former research assistant Maximilian Knoll defended his doctoral thesis successfully. His dissertation is entitled “Fundamentals of the hole rolling of flat sheet metal”.

In his dissertation, Mr Knoll presents the basics of the new punch hole rolling process. This process represents the transfer of flow splitting and gap profiling from outer to inner contours. Due to the special geometry of a double-sided collar, this process is in direct competition with collar drawing and and flow drilling and offers significant geometric advantages over these processes. In addition, hole rolling is a controllable forming process, which makes it possible to react to changes in the product or base material.

For his analysis, Mr Knoll uses a research methodology based on practical tests as well as numerical and numerical and analytical modelling methods. This enables him to show that it is possible in this process, for example, to achieve a change in collar parameters to bring about a change in the collar height. In addition he presents the prevailing process limits, as well as possibilities for further optimisation of the process.

The PtU would like to thank Mr Knoll for his many years of commitment and wishes him all the best for his professional and private all the best and much success for the future.