Page 4 - Shimadzu Journal vol.2 Issue3

Insight from a customer

Prof. Frank Walther of TU Dortmund University

We interviewed Professor Dr. Frank Walther, Head of Department of Materials Test Engineering (WPT) at TU Dortmund University
in Germany. His research is focused on microstructure-based materials and components testing, destructive and non-destructive
testing and measurement techniques as applied to characterize structure-property relationships, evaluating the fatigue
performance, failure mechanisms and damage processes and predicting remaining fatigue life. He and Shimadzu started
collaborative research with first contact in October, 2011. A number of discoveries and achievements have been made with
Shimadzu testing machines and analytical instruments such as Autograph (AGS-X, AG-X) and Servopulser (EHF) systems, micro
magnetic (MMT) and ultrasonic fatigue testing (USF) systems, ultra-micro hardness tester (DUH), and so on.

Shimadzu: Prof. Walther:
Professor Walther, thank you very much for spending some time for First of all, development of a well-organized WPT laboratory
this interview. Firstly, could you tell us the background of this infrastructure was realized. On the basis of my 15+ years’ experience in
collaborative research? Why did you choose Shimadzu as your Materials Testing, I started to evaluate Shimadzu devices and was
partner? convinced of hardware and software quality and capability. All these
initiatives were appreciated and supported by Shimadzu Europa GmbH.
Prof. Walther:
My research group investigates basic- and application-oriented topics
in the field of destructive and non-destructive materials and
components testing. Microstructural and mechanism-based
characterization of the Low-Cycle-Fatigue- (LCF-) to
Very-High-Cycle-Fatigue- (VHCF-) behavior is the key subject. Main
modules of the research strategy are the analysis of materials and
microstructures, the application of process- and product-optimized
measurement techniques for characterization as well as modeling of
properties and calculation of lifetime. The exact assessment of the
influence of production and in-service conditions on basic material
parameters leads to optimized property profiles and enhanced
functional safety of components. The portfolio of research ranges
from scientific fundamental research to applied (bilateral)
development and analysis services for industrial companies. Picture 1: Prof. Walther at Shimadzu Headquarter Kyoto, Japan

When I established the Department of Materials Test Engineering
(WPT) in December, 2010 at TU Dortmund University, I had nearly no In the context of increasing collaboration for the exchange of
laboratory equipment. Within the context of lab expansion and experiences, a meeting was organized at Shimadzu’s headquarter in
network building, I contacted the Product Manager for Material Kyoto, Japan (Picture 1). There, substantial fruitful discussions took
Testing Systems at Shimadzu Duisburg, Germany. This was the first place and many promising further hardware and software
contact with Shimadzu, which I did not know before. On the basis of developments were comprehended. Within the initiative to build up a
a good understanding and successful implementation of initial Shimadzu network with reference customers, an additional visit at
projects, a successful collaboration was initiated. FEFU University in Vladivostok, Russia, took place (Picture 2). With the
support of the Rector of FEFU University, it was decided by the
During the installation of initiatory Shimadzu materials testing systems colleagues Prof. Gridasov and Prof. Pogodaev, to work closely together
in WPT lab, the quality of the devices and the well-trained service e.g. in DFG (German research foundation) research projects.
engineers attracted my attention. In addition to these profound
impressions, the distance between Duisburg and Dortmund is only 50
km, so that mutual visits in Shimadzu or WPT lab are possible with
very less effort.

Shimadzu:
Then could you outline the research and let us know which discoveries
and achievements have been made so far?

Picture 2: Prof. Pogodaev (left), Prof. Gridasov (second from
ɹɹɹɹɹthe left), Prof. Walther (third from the right) at FEFU
University, Vladivostok, Russia

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