The Fluid Technology working group is led by Dr. Jörg Edler in a tenure-track position at TU Graz and focuses on the broad field of stationary hydraulics and mobile hydraulics, as well as the application of pneumatic systems with an emphasis on automation engineering.
The group’s research activities are strongly oriented toward applications in production engineering and machine tool construction. One example is the further development of hydrostatic bearings through an innovative, mechanically implemented controller. Dynamic load changes in the machine are compensated, and the resulting constant lubricant film thickness enables the highest precision.
The group achieved particular success in cooperation with the company SCHWING-Stetter, for which a novel slewing drive for crane booms was developed to series-production readiness. Among other honors, the work was recognized with the Carinthian Innovation Award. Thanks to innovative mechanics, valve technology, and control engineering, the drive converts short-stroke motions of linear hydraulic cylinders into continuous 360° rotary motion. In boom systems of concrete pumps, this allows the joints to rotate continuously without restricting the kinematics—while providing maximum safety, torque, and precision.
The centerpiece of the group is the institute’s fluid laboratory, which offers a wide range of testing facilities and training stations for hydraulics and pneumatics. Owing in particular to its didactically valuable training stations, the laboratory is unique and is used not only for teaching at TU Graz but also for external training courses.
