The 9th International Conference on Motion and Vibration Control

The key of success to high-level education is placed on excellent fundamental basics. For more than 100 years, Technische Universität München has been taking this idea into account and offers the highest possible study and research opportunities to engineering students.  Over 40 years, Institute of Applied Mechanics has been offering its proficiency as part of the university, in the fields of theory of multibody systems, nonlinear machine dynamics, modern mechatronics and a pioneer of robotics and locomotion. We provide constantly innovative development to generations of engineering communities and industries. By offering our direct expertise, students meet range of materials from fundamental engineering lecture courses to practical training and research works. Therefore students are prepared to be in the front lines of leading engineering group in the world and ready to be responsible as a constituent factor of our society.  

For industry, we develop branches of theories of multibody systems with a focus on methods for description and simulation of multibody systems with non-smooth dynamics. Robust and efficient algorithms are developed especially to industrial applications with large degree of freedom and numerous contacts. This enables engineer to foreseen the dynamics behavior of a complex machine in never-before high quality and flexibility.

The theories and knowledge of multibody system are further extended into practical analysis of nonlinear machine dynamics. Typical systems such as power trains, continuously variable transmissions, valve trains and timing chains are numerically modeled and optimized. To obtain a precise model of complex machines, the interaction between different physical domains, such as mechanics hydraulics and control systems has to be integrated into a consistent mathematical model. Together with the comprehensive test rigs, it provides an easy yet robust implementation and evaluation of different control concepts for systems under realistic operation conditions. 

Robotics and locomotion is another field we have been pioneering for 15 years and introduce collection of concepts for autonomous robot. At the Hanover Fair 2003 JOHNNIE was presented and was the first time a humanoid robot walked autonomously guided only by visual perception and online path planning. At present, the next generation humanoid robot LOLA is being developed with even more complex components and algorithm with the aim to realize a faster, human-like and more autonomous walking motion. Doing so, redundant coordinates is introduced in LOLA, as well as new control architecture hierarchy. Theses concepts allow LOLA to simultaneously modify its step length and step frequency.

The interdisciplinary field, Mechatronics becomes a key of interest during recent years. Institute of Applied Mechanics is continually adapted to the new movements and technologies. Our researchers are not only mechanical engineers but from various fields, such as electrical engineering, physics and mathematic. This yields to a wide and extended degree of knowledge and ideas throughout research projects. Active Controlled Rotor Systems is introduced by Institute of Applied Mechanics. The project shows the effective method to “play-back” an event dynamically with a realistic accuracy. The repeatable vibration analysis of a machine or an automobile is enabled by high dynamic and powerful magnetic actuators developed completely in house.

Institute of Applied Mechanics is honored and recognized by national and world-wide organizations and regularly appears in many international activities.  Our long heritage of sustainable innovative are adopted from the institute founder Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kurt Magnus to Prof. Dr.-Ing. Friedrich Pfeiffer and current chair of the institute, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Ulbrich.