The International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP) recently awarded Dr. Markus Zeis the Taylor Medal for his research work at the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University.
Dr. Markus Zeis (left) and Prof. Don A. Lucca at the award ceremony during the Conference of the Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP) in Tokyo 2018 © RWTH Aachen University
The award was presented during the General Assembly by the President of the Academy, Prof. Don A. Lucca. Among the high-ranking guests at the opening ceremony were also the Japanese imperial couple. The "F.W. Taylor Medal of the CIRP" is an award for young, outstanding researchers who write original scientific papers on CIRP-related topics.
Dr. Markus Zeis receives this award for his CIRP publication "Deformation of thin graphite electrodes with high aspect ratio during sinking electrical discharge machining", presented in Lugano in 2017. Here he describes for the first time approaches for establishing a process signature for electrical discharge machining, a manufacturing process with thermal/chemical effects on the workpiece. His scientific work was supervised by the former chair holder Professor Fritz Klocke, Technology of Manufacturing Processes.
Dr. Markus Zeis studied mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace technology at RWTH Aachen University. During his studies he worked at Airbus in the A380 program in Toulouse, France, for half a year. Zeis holds both a PhD in mechanical engineering (production engineering) and a PhD in natural sciences (physics). He also took part in an Executive MBA course in Technology and Innovation Management at RWTH Aachen University and the University of St. Gallen (HSG). He graduated with distinction (twice Borchers plaque and Springorum-Denkmuenze (commemorative coin), each awarded by RWTH Aachen University).
Most recently, he headed various research groups in the field of non-conventional manufacturing technologies at the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) and at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) in Aachen. Zeis has been working for the Munich-based engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines since March 2018.