Materials and manufacturing processes for industrial technology

• Explain how selected material properties are measured experimentally
• Estimate the stiffness and strength of simplified components
• Apply Ashby’s material selection method to component design
• Describe relations between materials, manufacturing processes and product properties
• Select appropriate manufacturing processes based on material and product requirements
• Evaluate component designs regarding feasibility, safety and reliability
• Explain typical wind turbine blade and solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing processes
• Implement a PV module design in a realistic production environment
• Build and test a small-scale wind turbine blade using realistic manufacturing methods

The course gives an overall introduction to component design and manufacturing through theory and experiments using wind turbines and solar cells as case examples. It also briefly touches on testing and end-of-life of components, and includes the following elements:

• Brief introduction to prerequisite mechanical concepts
• Tensile testing and data analysis to measure stiffness and strength of materials
• Simplified analytical calculations of stiffness and strength of materials and components
• Introduction to Ashby’s material selection method for mechanical design
• Brief introduction to material properties relevant for solar modules (optical, thermomechanical and electrical)
• Introduction to manufacturing and joining processes for metals, polymers, and composites and selection of suitable processes based on material and product requirements
• Demonstration of manufacturing processes for metal components
• Combining theory and hands-on experimental work on two cases: (1) Manufacturing and testing a small solar cell panel and (2) manufacturing and testing a small-scale wind turbine blade

46800/46025

Lectures, exercises, and experimental work

The parts of the experimental work that require external safety training, such as epoxy work, are carried out by a technician.

Maximum: 30.

Please be aware that this course has a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.