From molten metal to a designer wheel: ALCAR and HTL Mödling promote practical training

Theory is good, practice is better: the ALCAR Group, European market leader in the passenger car aftermarket for aluminium and steel wheels as well as TPMS solutions, is strengthening its cooperation with HTL Mödling(Technical college). To optimally prepare tomorrow’s engineers for the demands of the industry, ALCAR is providing the Vehicle Technology department at HTL Mödling with extensive visual aids that comprehensively illustrate the entire production process of an alloy wheel. 

Hands-on technology: The journey of the wheel

The collaboration offers students an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of alloy wheel production. The donation comprises a complete series of exhibits:

• The raw casting mould: 

For an insight into the basic geometry and material properties

• Intermediate stages of machining: 

Visualisation of the mechanical machining and manufacturing processes

• The final product:

e.g. front-polished and painted aluminium wheels 

A particular highlight of the partnership is a complete mould. Using this solid mould, teachers can convey the complex thermal and mechanical processes involved in casting aluminium wheels in the classroom more realistically and vividly than ever before.

Building bridges between the classroom and industry

HTL Mödling, one of Europe’s largest technical colleges, has always placed great emphasis on providing training at the cutting edge of technology, including complex casting simulations. ALCAR’s exhibits add a hands-on element to automotive engineering lessons, making complex production steps tangible.

Oliver Zepf, Managing Director Sales & Marketing, ALCAR WHEELS, comments:

“Training young talents is the foundation of our industry. It is therefore very important to us to support HTL Mödling in this endeavour, not only theoretically but also practically. By giving students real insights into the manufacturing process – from the mould to the polished design wheel – we foster an understanding of technical precision, quality and innovation. We are therefore delighted that, as an international company based in the region, we can contribute to the excellent education provided at the Mödling site.”

First-hand practical knowledge

For Marijo Popovic, lecturer in automotive engineering at HTL Mödling, this collaboration brings things full circle. Before embarking on his teaching career, Popovic worked for many years in ALCAR’s technical department and therefore knows exactly what matters in industrial practice.

“From my time in development at ALCAR, I am well aware of the high precision requirements and the complex challenges involved in wheel manufacturing. It is an enormous advantage to now be able to pass on this knowledge to my students using genuine components. When you have a real mould or a polished wheel in front of you, you grasp the interrelationships between materials science, manufacturing technology and design on a completely different level than any textbook could ever convey.”