Impressive Excursion to Aesculap AG
On April 2, 2025, approximately 40 master's students from the Biomechanical Engineering program at Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg had the opportunity to visit Aesculap AG in Tuttlingen during a two-day excursion. Aesculap AG is a world leader in medical technology and part of the globally active B. Braun Group. Employing about 3,700 people at its Tuttlingen site, Aesculap AG has a long-standing history that began with its founding by Gottfried Jetter in 1867. Today, B. Braun's product portfolio includes more than 5,000 medical technology solutions, reflecting a commitment to continuous innovation.
The students were welcomed by Eda Bösche, a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Aesculap, at the Aesculap Academy, an internationally recognized center for medical technology training. The excursion commenced with a visit to the Surgery Museum Asclepius, where an extensive collection of historical instruments illustrated the development of surgery and Aesculap's significant role in this evolution.
Illustration of surgical instruments 1878, © R. Höpfer (Bild 1 von 6) » Vorwärts « ZurückJoint prosthetics, © R. Höpfer (Bild 2 von 6) » Vorwärts « ZurückVarious knee endoprostheses, © R. Höpfer (Bild 3 von 6) » Vorwärts « ZurückHistorical overview development of artificial hip joints, © R. Höpfer (Bild 4 von 6) » Vorwärts « ZurückDifferent models for cementless hip joint replacement, © R. Höpfer (Bild 5 von 6) » Vorwärts « ZurückManufacturing steps for a bicontact hip endoprosthesis, © R. Höpfer (Bild 6 von 6) A highlight of the program was the visit to the Benchmark Factory and the company’s forge. Here, participants gained direct insights into the production of modern implants for hips, knees, and spines. Particularly impressive was the consistently structured production chain—from forging raw parts to automated grinding and polishing processes, and finally to cleanroom packaging. Around 350 employees work here with state-of-the-art technology, including robotic systems and high-precision CNC machines.
In the afternoon, a "Get-to-know" session provided students with the chance to interact with two young professionals, including an intern from our Biomechanical Engineering program and a working student in Data Science. These personal insights into the workday at Aesculap enriched the program significantly. A subsequent tour of the showroom offered students an overview of the company’s diverse product range, from surgical instruments to complex implant systems. The combination of technical precision, quality, and innovative strength of the products left a lasting impression on many.
In addition to the professional aspects, the excursion also provided an opportunity for exchange among students from different semesters. Many participants expressed that the excursion deepened their interest in biomechanical concepts, particularly in materials science, manufacturing technologies, and clinical applications. The positive feedback highlighted the quality of the tour, the openness of Aesculap's team, and the company’s warm hospitality.
A sincere thank you to Aesculap AG for providing these exciting insights and the chance to experience cutting-edge medical technology firsthand!
We would also like to sincerely thank the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering for their financial support, which made this excursion possible in the first place.
Photos: Eda Bösche (Aesculap AG), Rebecca Höpfer (OVGU)