Simulation Driven Product Development, master programme

There is a lot of practical moments during the programme

- We do learn about the relation between theory, simulations, and experiments during the programme, and how to connect those with each other properly. We are working with professional equipment to perform experiment in our EPIC-lab. We study for example frequency response functions (FRFs) and modal analysis on several structures, like the material behavior of an aircraft wing for example.

Working with sustainability is Peter’s motivation

- I would like to work with projects contributing to a more sustainable world, for example by replacing wind turbines blades with recyclable steel. With this master programme you acquire the knowledge to perform these kinds of studies: making a FEM modal, performing modal analysis, and using frequency-based sub structuring to couple and decouple systems, postprocessing your data in simulation software, etc.

The student life at Linnaeus University is amazing

- I live on the campus and would have not chosen something else. All your friends are just 5 minutes away from you, there is lakes and nature around the corner. It is perfect for barbecue and a swim during summer or ice-skate and hikes during winter.

The pleasant atmosphere contributes to the success of the studies

- During the programme Simulation driven product development you work a lot in projects together with students from all over the world. This gives you the opportunity to structure and plan your work together with your classmates. Some courses and assignments are very challenging, but study with other students make it easier. The teachers always stand up for you when you need and help you to progress.

Going abroad was a great experience

- Being able to go abroad during my studies was one of the reasons I applied to the programme. I studied one semester in Lübeck in Germany where I got to know new friends which I am still in contact with. It also helps me to develop my language skills in German. It is an experience that I can highly recommend!

Stimulating work tasks and nice colleagues is the most important for Nora

- The programme allowed me to immerse myself in product development with focus on calculation and simulation, but also to get more familiar with computer programs and working methods used in working life.

After my degree, I got a job as a test engineer at Husqvarna in Jönköping. Here I can use a lot of the knowledge I acquired during my studies in the area of product development, but I also learn a lot of new things everyday!

In Sweden, only a few programmes offer similar content. What makes Simulation-driven product development unique is that it combines calculation technology, experimental methods, and product development from a larger perspectiv.

– The programme offers a mix that we believe is unique. The students get to learn numerical calculation and simulation methods with specialisation in material mechanics and structural dynamics. The students will also acquire knowledge about experimental mechanics and signal processing. This combined provides the students with good knowledge about how reliable measurement data is collected and evaluated. The programme contains a more extensive course in product development from a larger perspective, as well as a course in industrial production. The aim of the latter is to provide the students with an understanding of how products that are developed are then produced in an efficient way.

The product development includes everything from aeroplanes, bicycles, to tall buildings, furniture and cell phones. The development work is mainly carried out by using models in computer environments.

– Naturally, there is also a need for good ideas to choose from. After the selection process, models of different types are developed; most commonly CAD and numerical models. The latter are also used to calculate how the product will behave, the life-span of the product, and so on. Somewhere along the development chain, verification tests are often carried out to secure that the calculation models that have been used represent the real product to a satisfactory degree and that the results provided by the models are correct.

Several companies have shown support for the development of the programme.

– We will establish a programme council with representatives from the industry. It should also be mentioned that we have lab facilities and a workshop that will be used frequently on the programme, located in the completely new EPIC building. Epic was inaugurated in 2018 and is a large building on campus in Växjö, filled with the latest equipment within manufacturing and measurement technology. EPIC is the result of a collaboration between primarily the department of mechanical engineering at Linnaeus University, Växjö municipality, and the business cluster GoTech. EPIC is a place where natural meetings with representatives from the industry can take place.

You will have good job opportunities after completing the programme.

– Earlier we were offering a 1-year master’s programme and virtually all of those students got a job pretty immediately. The 2-year master’s programme Simulation-driven product development replaced the 1-year master’s programme during the autumn of 2019. The competence that our students will have acquired after completing the new programme will be considerably greater than the former, shorter, programme. A 2-year master’s is also the standard in the industry and presents new possibilities for employment at larger companies that often require a 2-year master’s or a master’s degree of science in engineering.  

Year 1, semester 1

• 1MA465, Multivariable Calculus and Vector Calculus, 7,5 credits
• 4MT317, Continuum Mechanics, 4,5 credits
• 4MT318, Scientific Methodology and Planning, 3 credits
• 4MT315, Structural dynamics, 7,5 credits
• 4MT003, The Finite Element Method, 7,5 credits

Year 1, semester 2

• 4BY368, The Finite Element Method II, 5 credits
• 4MT319, CAE driven Product Development, 10 credits
• 4MT320, Material mechanics, 7,5 credits
• 4MT321, Sustainable Production, 7,5 credits

Year 2, semester 3

• 4MT322, Experimental Mechanics, 7,5 credits
• 4MT324, Rigid body dynamics and simulation, 5 credits (only available in Swedish)
• 4MT325, Advanced Structural Dynamics: modeling, testing and validation, 5 credits
• 4MT323, Scientific Methodology II, 5 credits
• 4ED344, Signal Processing, 7,5 credits

Year 2, semester 4

• 5MT35E, Degree Project, 30 credits (only available in Swedish)

Andreas Linderholt, professor and program coordinator, shows how to measure and control resonant frequencies. This laboration is part of the course Structural Dynamics given during the first year of the Master programme.  

Epic stands for entrepreneurship, production, innovation and communication and is the name of our Innovation & Technology Center; the laboratory building which is located directly adjacent to the department's premises.

EPIC is a creative and welcoming knowledge environment that offers the very latest technology for the manufacturing industry.

The machine park is based on utility and co-production with industry, and includes equipment for automation and production systems, robotics, production simulation, manufacturing processes, structural dynamics (including sound and vibration) and non-destructive testing, measurement and control systems, IT-related equipment such as sensors, IT- infrastructure, control, etc. LNU's students can use the machine park for their laboratory work within their programs and courses.

EPIC is a meeting point for co-production with technology companies and a platform for investments in teaching and research projects.

Jetro Pocorni, senior lecturer and responsible for the robot lab gives an overview of the equipment available in EPIC, and what you can work with as a Master student.  

Watch the students from the master programme presenting their projects in the robot lab. Peter is programming an human collaborative robot, Osama is working on an industrial robot while Abhi focuses on better understanding of additive manufacturing.