Student Visit to Röchling Automotive: Practical Experience and Technological Insights

On May 8, 2024, a group of students from the Department of Industrial Engineering had the opportunity to visit the Röchling Automotive S.r.l. facility in Laives (BZ), a leader in the automotive industry. This visit, organized as part of the course “Laboratory of Plastic Materials Technology” taught by Professor Andrea Dorigato, aimed to enrich students’ educational pathways with direct exposure to the working world.

Röchling is a multinational company with over 11,000 employees in 25 countries. The Laives facility is part of the Automotive division, which focuses on solutions for batteries, structural lightweighting, aerodynamics, and propulsion, providing components to many global automotive manufacturers. The visit aimed to give students a practical understanding of business dynamics.

Upon arrival, students were welcomed in a conference room where the company was introduced, highlighting its history, mission, and successes. The discussion included the company’s technological development and market changes. Students then explored the operational areas of the company, closely observing the production processes and technologies in use.

In particular, students learned about the operation of injection molding presses, using a pilot plant to produce small gadgets as an example. Quality Department representatives explained the various tests that Röchling products undergo, including mechanical tensile tests, Charpy impact tests, welding tests, acoustic tests, and simulators for filling urea and fuel oils. Additionally, they observed the automation of production lines with robotic manipulators used for part extraction, product repositioning, and mold replacement. The visit concluded in the Design and Mold Development Department, where the mold handling and processing system was demonstrated, focusing on cooling channels.

Students also had the important opportunity to interact with alumni from the Industrial Engineering Department now employed at Röchling, receiving practical advice and understanding the professional development of those who have followed a similar educational path. This dialogue was particularly appreciated, providing students with concrete insights into their future careers.

The visit proved to be extremely formative and stimulating, allowing students to see many theoretical concepts studied in the classroom applied in practice, and to better understand the importance of both technical and transversal skills in the workplace. A heartfelt thank you goes to Röchling for their hospitality and willingness, with hopes for future collaborations on additional educational and research initiatives.