Product development has changed significantly over the past 200 years. In the past, guesswork and rules of thumb were often used. However, modern methods of calculation have now become some of the most important tools.

This means that we can now create exact simulations of products prior to beginning production. Therefore, the time from idea to market is significantly shorter, and the risk of faulty production is minimised.

Mechanical design brings together all the sub-disciplines of engineering to exploit knowledge about calculation, design, materials and manufacturing processes to create innovative machines and products.

Central to all design is in-depth knowledge about how a structure behaves when it is exposed to external and internal forces.

For example, a modern wind turbine has to be designed to operate for 25 years. However, testing a full size wind turbine is not realistic. This is why the development of wind turbines combines scaled-up experiments with advanced calculations.

Many of the products we know today – from giant space rockets to racing bicycles and smart food mixers – would not exist without modern structural engineering.

Mechanical design at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering uses traditional calculation methods and advanced computer simulations for real-world tasks.

We distinguish ourselves by having a high theoretical level while simultaneously maintaining academic breadth within the area. It is therefore possible for us to convert theory into practice, even when the issue is complex.

Our collaboration agreements with companies and other external partners focus heavily on ensuring that the collaboration generates value.