Roland Markus Hinterhölzl

Roland Markus Hinterhölzl is a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences Wels, Department of Materials, within the Research Center Wels Center of Excellence Automotive/Mobility. His work focuses on advanced composite materials, manufacturing processes, and simulation-driven solutions for automotive and aerospace applications. He leads research projects addressing automation, lightweight design, and material defect analysis through innovative methodologies like reinforcement learning and AI-based surrogates.

Education: Holds Dipl.-Ing. (FH) and Dr. techn. degrees (details not specified in text).

Research Interests: Specializes in composite material processing, finite element simulations for draping and forming, and the integration of AI into manufacturing workflows. His projects aim to optimize processes such as thermoplastic welding, recycled GFRP utilization, and semi-automatic preform manufacturing.

Current Projects:

• Pre-2-K: Developing semi-automatic processes for 3D composite components
• MicoWeld: Micromechanical analysis of thermoplastic composites
• AdiosRivet: Advanced design of welded joints for vehicle structures
• rGFK goes Trailer: Lightweight trailer design using recycled materials

Advising & Grants: Supervises 7 research works and secures funding from programs like Future Mobility Call and Dissertationsprogramm der Fachhochschule OÖ. His research bridges process technology, simulation, and real-world applications across automotive and aerospace sectors.

Labs/Teams: Active within the Research Center Wels, collaborating on cross-disciplinary projects involving materials science, automation, and advanced manufacturing techniques.