Design competition award WS 25/26

Award for the most innovative solution in the design competition by Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH

This semester's task for the participants was all about plant engineering. Compressors are playing an increasingly important role in a wide range of processes and applications. Examples include sectors such as the food industry, water treatment and the pharmaceutical industry. The scaling of such compressor systems to larger capacities is one of the areas in which Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH has excellent expertise and is at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

The task of this year's design project covered a sub-problem associated with such scaling and consisted of developing a device for the assembly and disassembly of the rotor of permanent magnet synchronous machines. The core problem was to prevent the stator and rotor from moving against the magnetic force during the assembly and disassembly process, particularly for larger motor types. The possible solutions should be applicable both for use in the factory and on site at the customer's premises.

At the end of the semester, the final presentation took place on 11.02.2026, where the groups were able to see their fellow students' ideas for the first time. The industrial partner thanked the students for their systematic work and innovative concept ideas as well as the pleasant collaboration. At the same time, Jan Schrader and Daniel Kolle emphasized that the methodical approach usually produces the most useful solutions. The concepts for brainstorming taught in the course are therefore well suited to solving current problems in industry.

Five groups presented their solutions at the final event. The winning team - Friedrich Christoph Dralle, Lukas Ilsemann, Ben Zanettin and Tim Rebentisch - received a 3D printer as a prize to enable them to implement further small ideas at home. The team also received a winner's certificate for inclusion in their LinkedIn profile and the opportunity to expand their contacts in the industry during an "Experience Day" and gain impressions of working in various departments at Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH.

Further information on teaching and research at the IMW can be found athttps://www.imw.tu-clausthal.de/

"This is what winners look like!" The winners of the design competition together with Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH. Photo: IMW. From left: Jan Schrader (Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH), Friedrich Christoph Dralle, Lukas Ilsemann, Ben Zanettin, Tim Rebentisch, Daniel Kolle (Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH).

Company representatives Daniel Kolle (from left) and Jan Schrader (from right), Prof. Lohrengel, participants and supervisors of this year's design competition. Photo: IMW.