LKR Leichtmetallkompetenz
zentrum Ranshofen
The LKR Light Metal Competence Center in Ranshofen is a subsidiary of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and operates as a research center for light metals in the fields of alloy development, casting and forming processes, additive manufacturing, and digitalization.
To this end, the LKR coordinates and carries out national and international projects as well as contract research. In the field of additive manufacturing, the LKR has been operating its own research division in wire-based additive manufacturing (WAM) since 2021.
Role in the project and the expertise
we bring:
In the AUTARK project, the LKR is responsible for project coordination and also handles the fabrication and characterization of materials and tank structures using forming and additive manufacturing. Furthermore, the behavior of liquid hydrogen in the tank and the resulting structural stresses are simulated. The complete manufacturing route of the hydrogen tank under investigation is also evaluated as part of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
For the LKR, the AUTARK project offers the opportunity to expand its capabilities in the fabrication of complex geometric features using WAM and to deepen its understanding of structural simulation models in the field of cryogenic hydrogen storage. The combination of conventionally manufactured components (forming) with additively manufactured structures for large components offers great potential for establishing WAM in an industrial setting.
LKR
Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum RanshofenWith about 60 employees, the team develops environmentally friendly aluminum and magnesium alloys, as well as innovative processing and recycling technologies for the automotive and aerospace industries.
AIT
Austrian Institute of TechnologyAIT is Austria's largest Research & Technology Organisation (RTO) and play in the top league worldwide in many infrastructure topics.
Mathias Silmbroth
Projektleiter 
Michael Unger
Stv. Projektleiter