The Weidmüller Group, headquartered in Detmold, is one of the leading providers of electrical connection technology and develops solutions for electrification, automation, and digitalization. Joint research and technology transfer projects have long linked TH OWL and the family-owned company.
A year ago, the two organizations established a steering committee with the creation of a joint technology transfer professorship. Within this committee, representatives from the TH OWL Presidential Board and the Weidmüller Group’s management, together with those responsible for research and technology transfer activities, coordinate ongoing projects, new initiatives, and main focus areas.
“The Weidmüller Group is one of TH OWL’s most important cooperation partners—in research, teaching, and technology transfer. This close collaboration consistently lays the foundation for joint innovations,” says Professor Dr. Holger Borcherding, Transfer Professor for Power Electronics, Electric Drive Technology, and Electromagnetic Compatibility at TH OWL and a member of the steering committee.
One example of this long-standing collaboration is the joint developments in the field of direct current networks. They demonstrate how scientific findings can be translated into industrial applications at an early stage.
In addition to the joint developments to date, new projects were also a focal point of the meeting. Among other things, the potential contributions of the it’s-OWL research project GoProZero to the Weidmüller Group’s future recycling strategy were discussed. The project develops digital and AI-based solutions that help companies create resource-efficient and recyclable products.
Another joint initiative is a doctoral project on the reliability of connectors. An employee of the Weidmüller Group is being supervised by three professors at TH OWL and is pursuing his doctorate at the NRW Doctoral College.
In addition, TH OWL and the Weidmüller Group aim to work together to inspire more young people to pursue engineering degrees, thereby strengthening the region’s pool of young professionals.
Looking ahead, the partners see potential in the fields of industrial artificial intelligence, robotics, and power electronics.
“This partnership demonstrates how strategic collaboration between universities and industry can successfully strengthen the region’s innovative capacity,” says Professor Dr. Stefan Witte, Vice-President for Research and Transfer at TH OWL and a member of the joint steering committee.