Bosch Is Looking for Breakthrough Ideas in Scientific Developments of Samara University

On Friday, March 1, a working visit of Ludwig Baechle, Director General of Robert Bosch Samara LLC, to Samara University took place. The representative of the German corporation became familiar with the work of leading research teams and met with the leadership of the university.

Ludwig Baechle visited the scientific research laboratory of progressive technological processes of plastic deformation (SRL-41). There the guest was interested in the technologies of magnetic-pulse metal processing. They allow scientists to make details of complex shapes that cannot be obtained by traditional methods. For several decades university scientists have been engaged not only in research in this area, but in the production of appropriate industrial equipment. At the moment, the university cooperates in this direction not only with domestic enterprises, but also with foreign corporations. 

Ludwig Baechle also drew attention to the capabilities of the additive technologies laboratory, the team of which uses laser fusion techniques to produce complex parts from domestic materials. In addition, the CEO of Robert Bosch Samara LLC visited the university's SAM-centre and got acquainted with a unique collection of the Centre of Aircraft Engine History.

At the meeting with Samara University Acting Rector  Vladimir Bogatyrev the prospects for further cooperation were discussed. During the brief presentation, Vladimir Bogatyrev spoke about the university’s capabilities, its strong positions in world rankings, key training areas and flagship projects, as well as active interaction with international partners in the framework of academic mobility programmes and double diplomas. The Acting Rector noted that Samara University implements a number of joint programmes with the universities of Germany  (Stuttgart, Aachen, Clausthal and others).

According to Ludwig Baechle, this is the best recommendation, although the competencies of the university are well known to Robert Bosch Samara LLC, where 45 highly qualified Samara University graduates have already been working. However, the market situation is pushing for continuous development. The increasing competition within the company itself, as well as with major foreign manufacturers (mainly from China and Korea, which are progressing very quickly) requires a qualitative leap forward. Only scientific technology and innovation can provide such a breakthrough. 

"Universities are the developers of new ideas. They create something fundamentally new, such technologies that have never been manufactured in the factories, and that is why I am here. I am sure that Samara University has something to offer Bosch, you have a strong engineering and technological base. It would be great to build cooperation, connected with production, its cheapening and output increase, between the enterprise and the university – Director Ludwig Baechle shared his expectations. – Moreover, earlier we focused primarily on the production of automotive components, but now the situation has changed. Today this market is not enough for us. We want to master new additional products and are looking for these opportunities here, at your university. In the future, the developments of the university can become the basis of a completely new industrial line". 

"Today’s meeting demonstrates that we are entering a new level of cooperation. From the demand for our specialists we moved to the demand and interest in our scientific developments and technologies”, –   concluded Vladimir Bogatyrev.

Photo: Darya Aksenova, Nikita Bondarenko