Young talent competitionWinner of 'Jugend forscht 2018' chosen
The winners of the national final of 'Jugend forscht 2018' have been announced: at the end of May, Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek presented the awards to the talented youngsters. The winners from technology, computer science, earth and space sciences and physics, including special prize winners, in a photo gallery.
Felix Röwekämper, the winner in the field of working environment, dealt with drilling machines: With various drilling machines, the workpiece is clamped between the jaws of a vice to hold it in place. For larger holes, this must also be secured mechanically or electromagnetically on a drilling table. Röwekämper analyzed existing concepts and found them to be too cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive. His alternative had to be safe and easy to use and also allow the workpiece to be aligned easily and precisely. To achieve this, the young researcher developed a new type of vice with an integrated fastening mechanism underneath: a clamping lever can be pulled very tightly against the table using leverage and special screws, allowing it to be easily adjusted. Specially designed recesses also prevent rotation during drilling.