What is it?
Virtual product and process development is a specialization of the Mechanical Engineering degree program. Students acquire advanced skills in methodical product development and comprehensive knowledge of the product life cycle – from the initial conception to recycling the individual components. Students learn to use virtual product development simulation tools (FEM, DFD, MKS, Matlab/Simulink) as well as programming systems for NC machining and robotics. They will also extend their methodological knowledge of the product life cycle as well as the further familiarizing themselves with methods for planning product manufacturing processes.
In this specialization, students take the modules Product Development, Simulation, Thermal Joining and Robotics, Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering, Drives and Production. In the "Required Elective Subjects" module, students take courses related to product and process development. The university's internal internships in quality management and production engineering are carried out based on examples from product and process development.
The internship and the bachelor's thesis are scheduled for the 7th semester. Both are usually completed in one company.
What can I do with it?
In all sectors of mechanical engineering, product and process development is now primarily carried out virtually. Students graduating in this specialization must therefore be familiar with the use of simulation tools. This is all the more important in view of the increasing degree of digitization in the context of Industry 4.0. In this respect, this special feature of the degree program gives graduates an additional key qualification which will enhance their career prospects.
Further information is available on the Mechanical Engineering degree program page.