Research & Development

Ongoing innovation is a substantial prerequisite for extending and ensuring worldwide technology leadership in the long term. The basis are know-how alliances and research cooperation with renowned partners such as the Fraunhofer Institut, ARC Seibersdorf Research, the University of Leoben, the Vienna University of Technology and private companies. Close cooperation with these renowned research partners ensures that only first-rate technology is used in all projects by companies of the Waagner-Biro Group.

In steel and glass engineering in most cases the very exacting ideas of customers or architects trigger new developments. The worldwide first use of glass needles as supporting members, the use of borosilicate glass for portals of heights of up to 3.4 m or the development of a complex node made of steel were achievements of Waagner-Biro engineers. Particularly in the field of optimising freeform surfaces Waagner-Biro cooperates with universities. Precisely here technological superiority offers better opportunities for the implementation of architects’ designs while at the same time the achieved cost advantages heighten competitiveness. In addition, Waagner-Biro Stahlbau also explores the specific possibilities of IT automation in design, enhancing rapid and efficient planning of big projects.

The „integrated steel and glass structures” and „computing multilayer freeform structures for architecture” projects are, among others, examples of innovative research activities of the steel and glass engineering division. In the “integrated steel and glass structures” project, for example, explosion resistant material characteristics are developed. “Computing multilayer freeform structures” deals with the development of methods for designing net structures on freeform surfaces. Here geometry is not only a descriptive, but also a structural tool.

150 years of history of innovative bridge construction are continued by the Waagner-Biro panel bridge presented in 2002. Research results at the Vienna University of Technology and experience gained in practical use were directly integrated in the further development, leading to a considerably wider range of applications.

In the field of stage engineering, Waagner-Biro develops products within the scope of ongoing projects and at the same time regularly invests in research and development. The gearless winch first presented in 2003 is a result of this consequent development work. The long-term focus here is on the further development of computerised control systems for small stage equipment systems which can be easily installed and extended by modular components as well as on increased standardisation of existing products with a related reduction in costs and manufacturing times. A particular highlight in 2008 was the introduction of 3D CAD technology in mechanical design of stage equipment components and telescopic stands. This technology ensures significantly higher quality and clearly increased efficiency in designing stage equipment.

At the same time, progress was made in further developing the “virtual theatre”. This three-dimensional photo-realistic stage machinery simulation and visualisation system will in the future make it possible for all movements and actions of stage machinery and lighting to be simulated in a realistic manner using a real control panel. The system containing all stage machinery components like a construction kit will considerably facilitate design and planning of actual stages.