III. Mechanical engineering#
III.1. Mechanical engineering#
What is mechanical engineering? Mechanical engineering covers a broad field, ranging from the design of individual components to advanced machines, manufacturing systems, and robotic platforms. That breadth makes mechanical engineering difficult to define in one sentence. The Dutch dictionary Van Dale gives the following definition: “Mechanical engineering (v.) skill of the design, manufacturing and operation of machines.” But mechanical engineering is more than that.
In the TU/e information brochure, mechanical engineering is not defined in one sentence, but described as follows: “A mechanical engineer devises, designs and realizes new products and processes but also improves and optimizes existing technologies.” An important part of this is turning designs into physical reality: mechanical engineers must understand how products can be manufactured, assembled, tested, automated, and produced reliably at the required quality and scale.
It is easier to give several examples of applications in which mechanical engineering has played an important role, both in conceiving, designing, producing, and improving them.
Mechanical engineering has played a crucial role in numerous applications across various industries. Here are some examples:
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment: Mechanical engineers contribute to the design and production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment used in the fabrication of computer chips and integrated circuits. This includes equipment for photolithography, etching, deposition, and wafer handling. Precision engineering is essential to ensure the accuracy and reliability of these high-tech systems.
Precision optics and laser systems: Mechanical engineers are involved in the design and construction of precision optics and laser systems used in applications such as telecommunications, laser cutting, medical imaging, and scientific research. They work on the development of optical components, laser resonators, and beam delivery systems to achieve precise control and performance.
Advanced imaging systems: Mechanical engineers play a crucial role in the development of advanced imaging systems used in medical imaging, microscopy, satellite imaging, and security screening. They contribute to the design of optical systems, imaging sensors, precision mechanical stages, thermal management, and system integration needed to capture high-resolution images with accuracy and speed.
Renewable energy technologies: Mechanical engineers contribute to the design and optimization of high-tech renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, and tidal energy systems. They work on aerodynamic design, structural analysis, and power conversion and control to improve energy capture efficiency and reliability in renewable energy systems.
Consumer electronics and medical devices: Mechanical engineers play a crucial role in the design and production of consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and home appliances. They focus on product miniaturization, thermal management, and structural integrity to create compact and durable devices. Mechanical engineers are involved in the design and development of various medical devices, including prosthetics, implants, surgical instruments, and diagnostic equipment. They work closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the safety, efficacy, and usability of medical devices.
Smart materials and adaptive structures: Mechanical engineers contribute to the design and development of smart materials and adaptive structures that can change their properties in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, or electromagnetic fields. Examples include shape memory alloys, piezoelectric materials, and magnetostrictive materials used in actuators, sensors, and adaptive optics systems.
Microfluidic systems: Mechanical engineers contribute to the design and development of microfluidic systems, which manipulate fluids at the microscale for applications in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Microfluidic devices are used for lab-on-a-chip systems, DNA analysis, cell sorting, drug delivery, and point-of-care diagnostics. Mechanical engineering principles are applied to design microchannels, valves, pumps, and mixers, as well as to optimize fluid flow and control.
Manufacturing and production technology: Manufacturing is one of the central pillars of mechanical engineering. A successful design must not only work in theory, but also be manufacturable, affordable, repeatable, and robust. Mechanical engineers develop and improve manufacturing processes such as machining, forming, casting, additive manufacturing, joining, and assembly. They also design production equipment, tooling, quality-control methods, and automated production lines. In high-tech industry, manufacturing engineering is closely connected to precision engineering, metrology, digital production, and process optimization.
Advanced robotics and automation: Advanced robotic systems bring together many core areas of mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineers design lightweight and stiff structures, joints, transmissions, actuators, end effectors, thermal systems, and precision mechanisms, while also working closely with sensing, control, mechatronics, and software. Applications include industrial robots, autonomous warehouse systems, surgical robots, inspection systems, collaborative robots, and high-precision robotic platforms for semiconductor manufacturing. Robotics is therefore not an isolated specialization: it is an important example of how mechanics, dynamics, control, manufacturing, and system design come together in one engineering system.
These examples highlight the diverse range of applications where mechanical engineering expertise is essential. Two themes recur throughout almost all of them: manufacturing, because engineered products must ultimately be made and reproduced reliably, and advanced robotics and automation, because increasingly complex machines must sense, move, interact with their environment, and operate with high precision and autonomy.
Fig. 2 3D Printing (source: Spiceworks), Biomechanics (source: Arm Dynamics), HVAC Systems & Smart Buildings (source: attune), Lithography (source: ASML), Renewable Energy Systems (source: DutchReview), Robotic Automation (source: JR Automation).#
This course approaches the question of what mechanical engineering is by introducing several of its disciplines and applications. These lecture notes and the accompanying workbook together provide a broad picture of the field. But even after this course, it remains difficult to define mechanical engineering in one sentence. After the lectures, practical sessions, and CBL, you can estimate the role of mechanical engineering in those products of the examples mentioned above. You can also develop a good sense of the kinds of problems mechanical engineers solve.
III.2. The mechanical engineer#
What does a graduate mechanical engineer do? Just like the study program, the professional field is also broad.
Just a few examples of where a graduate mechanical engineer might work. Notice that manufacturing and advanced robotics appear not only as separate career areas, but also as enabling technologies across many of these roles:
in the research & development department of Océ, where you are involved in designing a new printer;
in a production or manufacturing engineering department, where you design and improve production systems, assembly processes, tooling, quality control, and automation for new products;
in a robotics or automation company that develops autonomous machines, robotic handling systems, or automated logistics equipment;
at ASML’s development department, where you deal with high-precision positioning of wafers (from which ICs are made);
at a university or at TNO, where you are engaged in research and development of improved airbag safety systems;
at a small engineering firm that deals with the design and improvement of industrial cooling installations for ice rinks;
as a production manager at Unilever, where you coordinate and improve the production of canned soup.
Below are six excerpts from vacancies aimed at engineering graduates and related technical profiles.
Mechanical Design Engineer at ASML
Introduction to the job:
Are you eager to get mechanical issues solved? Are you dreaming to be part of the state-of-the-art technology innovation? If so, then a job of designer in Mechanical Development: DUV Technology at ASML could be the perfect match.
Role and responsibilities:
As a Mechanical Design Engineer you are responsible for the development and application of mechanical designs to meet specifications.
Based upon specification create concepts, designs, drawings including realization and qualification of your design.
Uses state of the art design methods and construction principles to ensure adequate designs that can be realized from a technical and supply chain perspective.
Drive the quality of the design by well-balanced concept and design decisions and defining tests including test equipment.
Ensures that prototypes are built, and tests are carried out.
Delivers the technical product documentation that is needed to release the design for volume production.
Competencies
Working at the cutting edge of tech, you’ll always have new challenges and new problems to solve – and working together is the only way to do that. You won’t work in a silo. Instead, you’ll be part of a creative, dynamic work environment where you’ll collaborate with supportive colleagues. There is always space for creative and unique points of view. You’ll have the flexibility and trust to choose how best to tackle tasks and solve problems.
Within ASML the sector Development & Engineering is responsible for the specification and the design of the ASML products. The department Mechanical Development is designing, building and testing mechanical systems and sub-systems which are fitted into the end products.
Application Engineer Autonomous Vehicles at Vanderlande
Are you looking for an exciting and dynamic career in the cutting-edge field of autonomous vehicle technology? Look no further than Vanderlande, an authority in automation solutions for warehousing and airport operations. We are seeking an experienced and talented Application Engineer to join our team and help drive the development and implementation of our latest AV technology at customer sites across the globe.
What will you be doing?
As an Application Engineer, you will be at the forefront of this exciting and rapidly-evolving field. You will work closely with a team of technical experts and other Application Engineers to design, integrate, commission, and test our AV systems. You will also play a key role in improving our deployment approach and supporting our operational sites in case of support and improvement needs.
If you are passionate about technology and have a background in engineering or related fields, this is an incredible opportunity to work with cutting-edge AV technology and make a significant impact in the field of automation.
Responsibilities
Support sales with AV layout design, simulation and emulation.
Validate system characteristics and design with simulations and emulations.
Determine and fine-tune actual vehicle routing and charging strategy.
Predict and mitigate localization performance.
Validate ICT architecture.
Vehicle on-site Site Acceptance Test (incl. safety).
Integrate AV with wireless infrastructure and PLC.
Implementation and on-site commissioning of the AV system.
Integrate AV with ICT and wireless infrastructure, up-/downstream system, SCADA and High Level Controls.
AV system testing
Make improvement proposals on tooling and guide/develop these improvements
About the team
The Application engineer AV is part of the AV operations team within the Module Group AV which is responsible for the successful sales support and delivery of AV projects. As an Application Engineer you will drive the engineering and implementation of our new autonomous vehicle technology at our customers sites. You will be operating closely with the overall project team, AV technical experts and other Application Engineers to drive fast design, integration, commissioning and testing of our AV systems. You will also play a pivotal role in continuously improving our deployment approach and support our operational sites in case of support and improvement needs.
Vanderlande is the global market leader for future-proof logistic process automation at airports and in the parcel market. Furthermore, we are also a leading supplier of process automation solutions for warehouses, which seamlessly integrate innovative systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services.
At Vanderlande, you can develop your career, satisfy your ambitions, aspire to new heights, while enjoying personal growth and thriving on achievement.
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer at Carbon
Climate change is real and we need to act fast. Our purpose is to restore the carbon balance in our atmosphere. We believe it’s important to have a positive impact on society, the economy, and the climate. Do you believe in our mission?
Role
While our engineering team is heads-down on engineering our DAC-system, plenty of equipment as well as prototypes are being build and used to support the engineers in their process. While organically more equipment is coming in, and more prototypes are being build, both the equipment and prototypes require maintenance to keep them up and running.
Initially it was the current team which could do this on the side. However, because of the increasement of equipment and prototypes we’re looking for someone who dedicatedly works on this. And that’s where you come into play! As our Mechanical Maintenance Engineer you play a critical role in ensuring smooth operations and maintenance of (mechanical) prototypes and equipment being used as part of our engineering processes.
As our Mechanical Maintenance Engineer you’ll ensure the reliability and performance of our equipment and prototypes. This’ll enable our scientists and engineers to focus on designing and engineering without being drawn back to hick-ups occurring within the context of equipment and prototypes. You’ll also critically think along with the scientists and engineers on how to improve the reliability of experimental setups.
Responsibilities
While we did our outmost best to give you a colorful context as given above, we’d also like to put your responsibilities in a few bullets. Simply to recap your responsibilities a bit more clearly. As you can see, we’ve divided this into three building blocks, including a fair estimate of time you’ll spend on each of them (please know, as we’re a scale-up, this can be pretty fluid!).
Maintenance (50%)
Equipment & Prototypes Maintenance and Repair
Perform routine and preventative maintenance on equipment and prototypes such as test rigs, experimental setups, and prototype machinery.
Troubleshoot and repair mechanical issues to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation of experiments and tests.
Installation and Commissioning
Install new equipment and prototypes, ensuring they are set up correctly and safely.
Commission new systems and validate their performance to meet engineering requirements.
Support for R&D Activities
Collaborate with engineers and scientists to understand the specific mechanical needs of various projects.
Modify or fabricate parts and components as needed to support experimental setups.
Assist in the design and development of new experimental setups.
Documentation and Reporting
Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, repairs, and modifications.
Document procedures and protocols for the operation and maintenance of equipment and prototypes.
Prepare reports on equipment performance and maintenance issues.
Safety and Compliance (30%)
Ensure that all maintenance activities comply with safety regulations and industry standards.
Ensure that equipment and prototypes are safe for operation by conducting regular safety checks and risk assessments.
Continuous Improvement (20%)
Identify opportunities for improving the reliability and efficiency of equipment and prototypes.
Implement best practices and new technologies to enhance maintenance processes and equipment performance.
Act as gate keeper of storage space and stocks of goods of general use.
About Carbon
We envision and contribute to a future where fossil carbon is entirely replaced by atmospheric carbon. Our breakthrough technology enables extreme energy efficiency and low manufacturing costs, turning it into an economically viable solution that can be scaled up worldwide. The start-up mentality is highly important, so you’ll need to be eager to take a leap into our organization and know that it requires you to do more than ‘just your part of the puzzle’.
We value diversity and seek to build a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We strongly encourage diversity and inclusion. We welcome everyone to apply, especially if you don’t tick all the boxes. Because we believe that our diversified expertise among colleagues is one of our strengths, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued and supported. Are you energized by our purpose and driven to work together on our mission? Please send out your application, we would love to meet you!
Experienced Process Engineer Sustainable Processes at TNO
What will be your role?
Introduction
The energy sector and (chemical) industry are in a transition towards the use of new feedstocks, the use of renewable energy, more energy efficient processes, the introduction of circularity and carbon capture and re-use. Within the Sustainable Process & Energy Systems (SPES) group at TNO, we work on all these transitional topics, working for, and with companies in the field and a network of international knowledge partners.
Our SPES team in Rijswijk develops technology for recycling of plastics, scale-up of electrochemical conversion technology and other new applications of sustainable processes in general. One of the growing subjects within the group focusses on developping a specific technology for plastics recycling. A second subject is centered around the Voltachem programme focussing on the electrification of the chemical industry. And a third subject is BioRizon focussing on biobased aromatic building blocks for the chemical industry. The common factor in these three programs is that they work on the reduction of the carbon footprint of chemicals. Within our team, you will be working side by side with our scientists on the design, realization and experimental validation of chemical and electrochemical processes with the aim to scale up towards kilograms/hour pilot plants (TRL 5-6).
What you will be doing
As Process Engineer you are responsible and are able to take the lead for the design, development, implementation and acceptance of technical solutions for the processes developed within SPES. You are the point of contact when it comes to the technical content of the realization of the project. This means that within the project team you liaise between customer, suppliers, project manager, lab researchers and specialists.
TNO as an employer
At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.
At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.
Quality Manager at Vattenfall
Are you the Quality Manager who loves to work with complex and innovative projects and contribute to the goal of being fossil free with one generation? Then join our Engineering department and work with us on challenging civil building challenges for industrial plants.
To enable the ongoing energy transition with increased electrification and reduced emissions Vattenfall is making large investments in our heating plants. Now we are looking for you who want to join us on this journey.
Our Department
Vattenfall Heat Projects develops and realizes all of Vattenfall’s new-build heating plant projects in The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Sweden.
The Engineering Department consists of an international team of highly qualified engineers from different disciplines and is responsible for the technical integrity of the newly built heating plants. For each project, a selected project team manages the development and execution processes and coordinates the realization, commissioning and hand-over of the new plants to the future operator in consultation with the stakeholders.
In addition, the engineering department supports the projects with schedule preparation, investment cost estimation and quality management.
In order to support the development and implementation of our technical activities in an extensive project portfolio, we are looking for a quality manager for our project portfolio in all regions.
Your tasks as a quality manager
Develop, implement and maintain quality management processes and procedures for asset and infrastructure type projects. This should ensure technical integrity, but also meeting all requirements regarding compliance (e.g. PED, CE, ATEX).
Supporting projects regarding quality management during engineering and contracting.
Supporting projects in reviewing Inspection and Test Plans, Quality Plans, Test Plans, Test Reports, Quality Documentation for both manufacturing as well as on site construction.
Support projects with trouble shooting quality issues.
Support projects by hiring external quality assurance and control staff and services and steering these resources on content.
You will be working on multiple projects in a consulting role. You will provide the project managers, engineering managers and site managers with your findings and recommendations. You will report to the Line Manager Site Execution within the overarching engineering organization.
Machine Learning Engineer at Rabobank
You and your role
Working in an area where business and engineering teams collaborate closely to make a difference in how Rabobank engages with its customers. After all, your contribution is of real significance to us, as you will be working on topics like FEC (Financial Economic Crime) and CDD (Customer Due Diligence), which directly impact Rabobank’s operations. And of course, why not? This is the part that energizes you!
As a Machine Learning Engineer, you will be the pivotal link between business and IT development. You will optimize the Machine Learning (ML) Model workflow, development, and deployment with a platform-centric approach. We are focused on automating the entire Model Lifecycle as much as possible. Our goal is to provide a stable platform that can deliver models in a secure and regulatory-compliant way. Thanks to you, we can find people committing crimes and we can give our non-risky customers a flawless process.
In the domain of FEC Tech, you will have the opportunity to contribute to and work with the latest developments in the market, thereby maximizing the development of your knowledge and skills.
You and your responsibilities
Work on a key topic for our bank: Financial Economic Crime;
Develop, manage, and maintain Azure infrastructure that is specifically tailored for high-performance machine learning and artificial intelligence applications within the Rabobank.
Work in a multidisciplinary, highly skilled team to develop scalable solutions and ML pipelines throughout the ML lifecycle, collaborating closely with teams and data scientists.
Be responsible for ensuring the health of the system and models, monitoring data quality, performance, and business impact, and devising mitigation plans.
Identify underlying issues and opportunities across the ML development cycle and introduce tools for efficient development and testing.
Implement solutions in alignment with architectural guidelines, collaborating with your team.
Continuously evolve your craft by staying up-to-date with the latest technologies.
III.3. Mechanical engineering in a nutshell#
As stated earlier, mechanical engineering covers a wide range of disciplines and applications.
In the remainder of this course, a number of applications and core disciplines will be introduced. Particular attention should be paid to how these disciplines support the design and realization of manufacturable products and advanced robotic/mechatronic systems.
In later first-year courses and subsequent years, these disciplines are treated in greater depth.
This course allows you to explore the world of mechanical engineering in a nutshell: from understanding forces, motion, materials, heat, and flow to designing products that can be manufactured and machines and robots that can operate accurately, efficiently, and autonomously.