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Master Thesis @ Planted: Experimentation, CAD-design and additive manufacturing
In this project the goal is to improve the industrial production of plant-based food by development of new extrusion dies. The project fits you perfectly if you are interested computer-aided-design (CAD), metal additive manufacturing (AM) and testing.
Keywords: additive manufacturing, CAD, testing
The processing of plant-based proteins from peas offers a huge potential to offer end-consumers a
more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meat products such as chicken. The
production of planted-based food products is accomplished using the classical process of extrusion.
The material is mixed and fed through an extruder and then cooled down in a water-cooled extrusion
die to produce the textured material. Together with the ETH spin-off Planted Foods, a first pilot studys
investigated the use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) to improve the design, modularity, and
performance of extrusion dies and successfully tested the dies. Based on the first studys, the aim of
this new master thesis project is to continue the research work and further improve the die design,
fabricate new die variants using AM, and experimentally test them onsite at the facilities of Planted.
The processing of plant-based proteins from peas offers a huge potential to offer end-consumers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meat products such as chicken. The production of planted-based food products is accomplished using the classical process of extrusion. The material is mixed and fed through an extruder and then cooled down in a water-cooled extrusion die to produce the textured material. Together with the ETH spin-off Planted Foods, a first pilot studys investigated the use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) to improve the design, modularity, and performance of extrusion dies and successfully tested the dies. Based on the first studys, the aim of this new master thesis project is to continue the research work and further improve the die design, fabricate new die variants using AM, and experimentally test them onsite at the facilities of Planted.
The preliminary work packages include the following:
- Get familiar with the extrusion process of plant-based proteins and the results from first study
- Plan and perform multiple experimental tests of extrusion dies onsite at the facilities of Planted in
Kemptthal using a lab extruder and an IR camera
- Evaluate results from the tests and investigate scaling laws between the die cross-section height and
length and the temperature profile
- Create CAD design for extrusion dies as well as drawings for post-machining of dies
- Use basic CFD analysis to optimize distribution of water in cooling channels of extrusion die
- Support and supervise additive manufacturing of extrusion dies using selective laser melting (SLM)
inhouse at PDZ as well as externally with 3D printing service providers
- Documentation of results (weekly & monthly meetings, midterm & final presentations, master thesis)
The preliminary work packages include the following: - Get familiar with the extrusion process of plant-based proteins and the results from first study - Plan and perform multiple experimental tests of extrusion dies onsite at the facilities of Planted in Kemptthal using a lab extruder and an IR camera - Evaluate results from the tests and investigate scaling laws between the die cross-section height and length and the temperature profile - Create CAD design for extrusion dies as well as drawings for post-machining of dies - Use basic CFD analysis to optimize distribution of water in cooling channels of extrusion die - Support and supervise additive manufacturing of extrusion dies using selective laser melting (SLM) inhouse at PDZ as well as externally with 3D printing service providers - Documentation of results (weekly & monthly meetings, midterm & final presentations, master thesis)
- a high level of motivation, hands-on mentality, and passion for the topic - done prior projects with experimental testing, hardware, and prototyping - experience with CAD design, machined parts, and additive manufacturing - the desire to do your thesis with a young and dynamic team together with ETH startup Planted
pd|z Product Development Group Zurich (ETHZ) - https://pdz.ethz.ch/
Please send your CV, list of grades and short motivation letter together with a description of
your skills, experience, and prior projects to Maximilian Reikat (mreikat@ethz.ch)
Please send your CV, list of grades and short motivation letter together with a description of your skills, experience, and prior projects to Maximilian Reikat (mreikat@ethz.ch)