Around 15 trainees from the Richard-von-Weizsäcker technical vocational college in Paderborn visited the Institute for Lightweight Construction with Hybrid Systems (ILH) at Paderborn University on 25 March 2026. The participants are in the dual training programme with the additional qualification (ZQ) "Digital Manufacturing Processes" - a programme that is open to particularly committed trainees.
At the Richard-von-Weizsäcker-Berufskolleg, a wide range of professions in the fields of metal technology, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology are trained in the dual system. The ZQ "Digital Manufacturing Processes" complements this training with forward-looking content such as 3D printing, process analysis, smart maintenance, CAX tools (CAD, CAM, CAQ etc.), networked manufacturing systems and cyber-physical systems.
The visit to the ILH gave the trainees the opportunity to experience these topics directly in the context of current university research. The tour focussed on two main topics:
1. lightweight construction and sustainability: how can hybrid lightweight construction contribute to resource efficiency? The group was given an insight into the entire process chain - from simulation-based design to material selection and process technology.
2 Additive manufacturing: The participants learnt about the complete process chain - from powder production to the finished component - as well as accompanying test methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
The group was accompanied by Mr Thull, a teacher at Richard-von-Weizsäcker-Berufskolleg, while the guests were welcomed at the ILH by Barbara Flöing-Hering, Managing Director of the institute. The guided tours were led by Philipp Pabel (research assistant at the LiA) and Kay-Peter Hoyer (senior engineer at the LWK).
