Developement of a Solder Paste Dispenser for a Pick-and-Place Machine

Summary

Beschreibung External Semester Thesis at HEFEX LABS (Supervised by FZG) About us: We are a young startup on a mission to reinvent electronics prototyping and make PCB prototyping faster and more efficient. We were founded out of a hackathon in late 2025. Since we're working on a novel solution, we're currently in stealth mode and can't yet share details about our core technology. We are supported by UnternehmerTUM, TUM Venture Labs, AI Nation, and EXIST. Thesis Task: You'll design, build, and test a solder paste dispenser integrated into our AI-powered pick-and-place head, next to the pick-up nozzle, so paste application and placement happen in one pass. Your task includes: • Designing a mechanism that doses and applies viscous solder paste in a controlled, repeatable way • Evaluating actuation principles for precise extrusion (e.g. worm gear or crossed helical gear approach) • Building a functional prototype and integrating it into our existing pick-and-place head • Testing and iterating on dosing accuracy, repeatability, and reliability, and documenting your results • Optional: Computer vision applications for self-calibration What we offer: • A real, unsolved engineering problem with direct impact on our product • Full ownership of the mechanism design – your concept, your prototype • Close collaboration with the founding team of an AI hardware startup Details: • Semesterarbeit (ME) – TUM Chair of Machine Elements (FZG), Luis Haug (supervisor) • On-site in Garching, working with the founding team on real hardware • Start: immediately, flexible Apply now • Questions or want to apply? Send your CV and a short note on relevant experience to jobs@hefex-labs.com • Our website: hefex-labs.com Voraussetzungen You're a great fit if you… • study Mechanical Engineering (or related) at TUM • have solid CAD skills (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and a good grasp of mechanism design • enjoy building and testing physical prototypes yourself, not just simulating them • work independently and are excited by an open, not-yet-solved engineering problem