Combining design methods, knowledge and skills with applied research
What does it take to successfully launch new products, machines, production processes and factories in today’s world? How can we design smart solutions for the manufacturing systems of tomorrow? How will the fourth industrial revolution, its tools, methods and machines influence the way we design products, production processes and whole product life cycles? How can new tools such as virtual reality, additive manufacturing (3D printing), digital twins and cooperative robotics help us optimize these processes? These are some of the questions you will tackle in the Design and Manufacturing specialisation.
The specialisation focuses on methodological design of engineering products, processes and production facilities by combining design methods, knowledge and skills with applied research and the development of in-depth expertise on the latest trends in product development, production methods and manufacturing strategies.
Why choose this specialisation at UT?
Designing is about creating things that are wholly new, instead of just analysing and improving on what already exists. Many different design strategies, methods and tools are available to guide the designer to the optimal solution space. At an abstract level, the design processes for a consumer product, medical devices, manufacturing processes, machines and facilities are all fairly similar. But the methods, tools, research and required background knowledge will vary depending on the goals of the research and development.
The courses offered within this specialisation focus on methodological design, product development, production processes and manufacturing systems. For example, this specialisation can guide the student in becoming a specialist in the design, maintenance and optimization of large systems, such as entire factories and supply chains. It can also equip students with the ability to handle the bigger picture of manufacturing goods in a world that wants better, cheaper and more personalised products delivered on-demand through faster, more flexible production facilities and supply chains. The specialisation can also prepare you for a career as a developer of the products and production processes of the future. By optimizing the course list to fit specific wishes and needs, the student decides what kind of designer he or she wants to be.
Taking the Design and Manufacturing specialisation at the University of Twente will give you a head start in your career, as it will expose you to some of the very best and latest research in the field of engineering. UT has a long history in the development of design methodologies and has always integrated design theories and thinking in both research and education. In Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, for example, UT is a leading international player and the go-to institute in the Netherlands, with an exemplary position in key domains, such as production technology, IT, supply chains and business modelling. Furthermore, UT is home to many of the world’s experts in today’s smart industry-related fields such as robotics, additive manufacturing, digital twins, machine learning and artificial intelligence. And finally, the focus on the development of state-of-the-art medical solutions is at the centre of the University of Twente’s High Tech, Human Touch.
graduation
Below you'll find a list of graduation projects as an example of what you can do for your graduation assignment:
- Investigation and optimization of the integration of 3D printing as a new production method within an existing product/production chain;
- Development of a novel multi-material 3D printing process combining ceramics and metals;
- Design of a smart welding cell for the automated assembly of a small series of products consisting of flexible and hard-to-control metal plates;
- Improvement of process robustness in a multi-stage forming process by numerical simulation;
- Design a simulator that enables surgeons to practise specific aspects of beating-heart surgery;
- A conceptual design for a launch and recovery system for autonomous deep-sea mining robots;
- Improve a company’s development process by implementing systems engineering;
- Computerized design of configurable manufacturing systems;
- Increasing the output and quality of manufacturing systems by process improvements;
- A roadmap to an operational excellence-based outfitting process for one-off custom-built superyachts;
- Design of a flexible assembly line for complex production equipment;
- Optimization of material changeover planning in tactical supply chain planning;
- Design of an equipment module changeover concept for reconfigurable assembly cells;
- Discrete event simulation in shipbuilding.
Career Prospects
Given the broad perspective, you will develop in the Design and Manufacturing specialisation, you will be able to get a job in which this breadth of vision really matters. Whether you join an engineering firm, a consultancy firm or a manufacturing company, others will rely on you for your combination of in-depth engineering expertise, creativity and ability to work with and lead cross-disciplinary teams.