A lot of products are not perfect. There's is always room for improvement. Do you have basic design skills already and do become an expert in optimizing products? In this minor you will take an existing product as a starting point. In the end, after having learned more about materials, calculation methods and practical software, you will deliver an optimized design.   

Students will learn to use advanced tools to optimize a product design. Based on a thorough knowledge of materials, calculation methods and practical software skills (FEM, mold flow), students will learn to optimize products for production, costs and strength. Student will learn to master the dedicated software, understand the results and know how to optimize the design based on these results. The content of the course has a strong practical focus and link with the work field. Therefor the course will be in cooperation with leading partners in the engineering & design industry.

1. Use of state of the art 3D CAD/FEM simulation software
2. Be able to optimize costs and strength in the context of serie/mass production
3. Be able to use techniques for production optimization (e.g. DfA, FMEA)
4. Use of (certified) tests procedures
5. Translating results and conclusions in an optimized design

A general management

A6 communication in english

F Materialisation (level 3)

Sub competences

F2 – Calculation modelling

F5 - Testing

F6 - Production preparation

The following skills are required to be able to enter this minor. When in doubt, contact us and we can see if this minor would suit you.

1. Basic CAD modelling experience.
   1. Being able to create geometrical shaped parts, using fully defined sketches and all basic features for solid modelling (e.g. shell, extrude, sweep, revolve, fillet).
   2. Know how to use  a design tree to make changes to your part without having to rebuild it from scratch (parametric modelling). 
   3. being able to create an assembly-file of a product consisting of several parts. 
2. Basic understanding of statics (e.g. being able to calculate stress and deformation in beams)

1. Finite Element Modeling For Stress Analysis, R.D.Cook, ISBN 9780471107743
2. Reader Design optimization & simulations

All other study materials will be made available digitally on Brightspace

Lectures. Course lectures and workshops on topics in product optimization, FEM analysis and simulation.

Guest lectures by work field specialists

Integral Design projects to practice and test the acquired knowledge and skills

The schedule will be published about a week before the start of the minor program. Please send an email to tis-minoren@hhs.nl if you haven't heard anything by then.

One general assignment 100%

Minimum pass rate 5,5