The ARC 2024 is the thirteenth edition of the conference of the Master’s program in Applied Research in Engineering Sciences (M-APR), hosted by Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm. With a total of 115 presentations and 40 posters, the ARC 2024 conference is a remarkable collection of research by M-APR students from nine cooperating Bavarian universities of applied sciences. The conference provided an exceptional platform for networking and collaboration. In addition, the organizers expect many interesting conversations and fruitful interactions during the breaks and poster sessions, as well as active participation in the discussions during the paper sessions. The M-APR degree program focuses on teaching skills for scientific work in the field of R&D. In project-oriented studies, students work on and research an engineering problem over 3 semesters. The ARC is the platform where students and lecturers exchange the results of this work. Under the supervision of a professor, each student works on his or her own research topic in close collaboration with other researchers over a period of one and a half years. Each summer, the students present their results to a wide audience made up of almost all students from all M-APR programs at the cooperating universities. This helps them to advance their own scientific careers and to learn from their peers what problems are being tackled in different fields. As applied research is a key issue in solving new challenges in the current unstable world, this is a small building block in solving these challenges.
We would like to thank the supporters of the conference, the session chairs and the colleagues from the cooperating universities. We would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Tilman Botsch, Prof. Dr. Frank Pöhlau and Prof. Dr. Tim Hosenfeldt who contributed to the conference with their keynote speeches.

This study describes the development of an operation-independent simulation model for an electrified die-casting foundry that uses a smart grid system to meet its energy needs. The model uses real weather and stock exchange electricity price data for the simulation period. The model can be used to determine and compare the cost of electricity for production at a given time (time of day and season) as well as the economics of different PV system and electricity storage options. It is also possible to analyze the share of different energy sources for each configuration. This can be done for sites throughout Germany. In addition, exemplary simulation studies are presented in this paper which demonstrate the wide range of applications of the model. The results provide an initial overview of the potential for savings and optimization. In the future, the model will provide a basis for determining optimum plant layouts and production times by means of simulation-based optimization.

The skilled trade industry is a significant driving force for the development and prosperity of society and constitutes the backbone of the German economy with its small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently, waiting times for craftsmen stand at approximately three months. This trend is on the rise due to the continued and severe shortage of apprentices and skilled workers. Potential trainees are representatives of Generation Z and best reached through social media channels. Consequently, many companies deliberately utilize corporate influencers in employer branding efforts to win young talents. Corporate influencers have the ability to present specifically job-related content and offer more authentic insights into the daily work environment. However, do they genuinely influence the career preferences of potential trainees? The aim of this study is to investigate if and to what extent corporate influencer influence the perception of the skilled trades industry and career preferences of potential applicants. To investigate the impact of corporate influencers on the perception of the skilled trade industry and the respective career preferences of potential applicants, we conducted a study with 66 students from a secondary school in Germany. (1) First, we measured the perception of the skilled trades industry and career preferences of the participants. (2) Then we exposed them to previously selected content of two corporate influencers from the skilled trades sector. (3) After the exposure, we measured the perception of the skilled trades industry and career preferences of the participants again. For the statistical analysis we used regression analyses and T-tests. The findings of the study show that corporate influencer on social media positively influenced both, the perception of the skilled trades industry and the career preferences of potential applicants. Particularly, insights into daily work routines prove to be effective. Simultaneously, the study reveals that the employer attractiveness of the skilled trades industry in general significantly influences the perception of the industry and enhances applicants' interest in craft professions.

Additive manufacturing has transformed the production process by enabling the construction of components in a layer-by-layer approach. This study integrates Artificial Neural Networks to explore the nuanced relationship between process parameters and mechanical performance in Fused Filament Fabrication. Using a fractional Taguchi design, seven key process parameters are systematically varied to provide a robust dataset for model training. The resulting model confirms its accuracy in predicting tensile strength. In particular, the mean squared error is 0.002, and the mean absolute error is 0.024. These results significantly advance the understanding of 3D manufactured parts, shedding light on the intricate dynamics between process nuances and mechanical outcomes. Furthermore, they underscore the transformative role of machine learning in precision-driven quality prediction and optimization in additive manufacturing.