05.06.2024
International
The engineer Richard Oberle from Elsenfeld and his Italian colleague Fiorenci Dioni have invented the world's largest aluminium die-casting machine, which is particularly beneficial to the automotive industry. They have been nominated for the European Inventor Award in the ‘Industry’ category for their innovative development.
The ‘Giga Press’ makes it possible to produce the underbody of an electric car in one piece, thereby saving material, energy and costs. This revolutionary technology has already convinced the electric car manufacturer Tesla, which uses it in its factories in the USA and Germany. Other car manufacturers are also showing great interest in the Giga Press.
Oberle, who has been living in Italy since 1974 and works for the automotive supplier Idra, developed the machine after years of analysing problems and optimising the process. With several patents to his name, the invention is considered a milestone in die-casting technology.
The nomination for the European Inventor Award is a lifetime achievement award for the 85-year-old Oberle. Despite his age, he continues to work as a consultant and lives in Dießen am Ammersee. In July, he will travel to Malta to attend the award ceremony. The Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation will report in detail on Oberle's impressive career and the significance of the Giga Press for the automotive industry.