Thoralf Gerstmann
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Thoralf Gerstmann is a leading researcher in flexible manufacturing and incremental sheet metal forming, with a focus on making small-batch production economically viable. His key research areas include robotic rollforming, incremental forming processes, and flexible production technologies for profile components. Gerstmann’s major contribution is the development of robotic rollforming, an innovative incremental forming method that enables the flexible production of profile components from batch size 1. Unlike conventional sheet metal forming technologies, which are often uneconomical for small quantities, his approach uses a roller head positioned by a robotic arm to form profiles without dedicated tooling. This breakthrough allows manufacturers to produce custom, low-volume parts efficiently, bridging the gap between prototyping and mass production. His most-cited work, "Flexible Fertigung von Profilbauteilen ab Losgröße 1 – Robotic rollforming" (2021), has garnered 4 citations, reflecting its niche but growing impact in the field. Gerstmann’s research is particularly notable for its practical relevance to industries requiring high-mix, low-volume production, such as automotive and aerospace. By enabling cost-effective, on-demand manufacturing, he is helping to advance the principles of Industry 4.0 and smart factory automation.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1