ProMetHeus: Digital Tools for Solving Metallurgical Challenges
The COMET project ProMetHeus combines traditional materials research and process engineering with digital methods to enable more sustainable, robust, and efficient process routes in metalworking.
Digitalization in the Manufacturing Industry
With the approval of funding for the COMET project “ProMeTheus” (Production and Processing of Metals for High Performance, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Protection, and Sustainability), a comprehensive research initiative in the field of the digitalization of metallurgical processes is now being implemented.
The challenges in metal processing are diverse and range from high energy prices coupled with highly energy-intensive processes to the availability of raw materials and a shortage of skilled workers. To counteract these challenges, continuous improvement in efficiency, process reliability, and productivity is required. This is where ProMeTheus comes in: Under the leadership of the LKR, a broad-based consortium of research and industry partners will conduct research in the coming years on the convergence of metallurgy and digitalization, which is expected to result in significant efficiency gains and new manufacturing possibilities. In addition to the LKR, the AIT is also represented by the Center for Vision, Automation, and Control.
The goal of ProMetHeus is to achieve the holistic integration of digital tools, such as automated image processing and hybrid modeling, to solve metallurgical challenges. The focus is on increasing the efficiency, sustainability, and robustness of processes in the metal and plastics processing industries. The use cases include innovative processes for energy-efficient deep drawing of titanium alloys, the reforming of in-house and end-of-life scrap (recycling without remelting), the optimization of wire production for electric mobility, recycled alloys for giga-casting processes, and semi-solid casting processes.
Carina Schlögl, authorized signatory at the LKR Light Metal Competence Center in Ranshofen and head of the ProMeTheus project, summarizes: “Innovations for sustainable, efficient, and resilient process chains arise from the optimal interplay of digitalization with materials and process technology. This unlocks enormous potential for energy and material savings. With ProMeTheus, we aim to make a decisive contribution to a prosperous, modern, competitive, and climate-neutral economy—fully in line with the goals of the European Green Deal for 2050.”
COMET: Collaboration Between Industry and Research for the Technologies of Tomorrow
The COMET (Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies) program supports the establishment of competence centers centered around a high-level research program jointly defined by industry and academia. This is intended to provide new impetus for research, lead to increased technology transfer, and strengthen companies’ capacity for innovation. This is expected to give rise to new innovations in products, processes, and services. In this sense, COMET represents a key factor in strengthening Austria as a center for research and business.
The COMET program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK) and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs (BMAW), as well as—in the case of ProMeTheus—by the states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, and 13 business partners from Austria and Germany. COMET has been a consistent success since 2008. The program is administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
The COMET program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK) and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs (BMAW), as well as—in the case of ProMeTheus—by the states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, and 13 business partners from Austria and Germany. The program is administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
Styrian Economic Development Corporation, Ltd.
Project details
- Project Short Title: ProMetHeus
- Full Project Title: Production and Processing of Metals for High Performance, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Protection, and Sustainability
- Program: COMET, Collaborative Structures (COMET Projects: 2022 Call for Proposals)
- Project partners:
- LKR Leichtmetallkompetenzzentrum Ranshofen GmbH (Project Coordination)
- RISC Software GmbH
- Meltec Industrial Furnace Construction, LLC
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
- MAGMA Foundry Technology, LLC
- Leoben University of Mining and Technology
- MARK Metal Products Manufacturing GmbH
- FH OÖ Research & Development GmbH
- Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing, LLC
- iba Austria GmbH
- Albert Handtmann Metallgußwerk GmbH & Co. KG
- Gebauer & Griller Kabelwerke, LLC
- EREMA Engineering Recycling Machinery and Equipment GmbH
- Hammerer Aluminium Industries Extrusion, LLC
- voestalpine Metal Forming GmbH
- Rübig GmbH & Co. KG
- 4a engineering GmbH
- voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche GmbH & Co. KG
- iba AG
- Duration: 01/2024–12/2027 (48 months)
Ansprechperson
Project management
Dr. Roxana Holom, MSc
Data Science Project Manager & Researcher