Insights into the two-phase flow in the hotend
In July 2024, Rebecca Wolff successfully completed her dissertation in the field of fused filament fabrication (FFF) at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Paderborn University. In her thesis, she investigated the physical processes in the FFF hot end, one of the most widely used additive manufacturing processes, with a particular focus on the relationships between nozzle geometry, material and processing parameters. The aim was to free process development in the FFF from the time-consuming trial-and-error method.
Rebecca Wolff with her printer test stand. (Photo: Philipp Köhler, SKZ)
SKZ employee Rebecca Wolff completes dissertation in the field of fused filament fabrication
Rebecca Wolff's research provides detailed insights into the two-phase flow within the FFF hotend. Her work led to the development of numerical models that enable simulative process prediction. These models allow a well-founded analysis and optimization of the melting and flow behavior in the printer nozzle and thus allow, for example, an estimation of the printability of new materials or the maximum printing speed. “Rebecca Wolff's work represents an important step in the further development of the FFF process. I am convinced that her research will also find important applications in industry and I look forward to accompanying her further development at SKZ,” explains SKZ CEO Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Expansion of research activities in the field of polymer synthesis
Rebecca Wolff has been working at the SKZ since 2019, initially as a scientist in the “Compounding and Extrusion” group. In May 2024, she took over the management of the newly founded research group “Polymer Raw Materials and Synthesis”. In this role, she is further expanding research activities in the field of polymer synthesis and circular value creation. The new research group focuses on the extraction of raw materials from bio- and recycled materials as well as the development of chemical-catalytic treatment processes for green platform chemicals. These are to be used in the synthesis of new, sustainable products for the polymer industry in order to create innovative and forward-looking value chains.
More information on the Materials research area
