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Fields of mechanical engineering study
Precision technical systems
Precision technical systems is a relatively new field of study in the department of mechanical engineering and mechatronics.
Computer hard disks or digital cameras are good examples of such precision technical systems. The extremely varied scope of electrical plug-and-socket connectors for example used in large numbers in modern cars is another special domain covered by the department. It also provides a certain technical affinity to the department’s bachelor course of mechatronics studies, something that is also manifested in the courses of emphasis.
Machines and machine tools
- Modern combustion engine
This mechanical engineering field includes machines for generating and transforming energy, technical heating and refrigerating plants and in particular piston and turbo engines.
Piston engines include petrol and diesel engines without which the “mobile society” would not have been conceivable and the development of which the engineers have to carry on in terms of pollution and consumption. Piston engines also include compressors for gasses and piston pumps for liquids. Pumps take on numerous conveying jobs in a wide variety of plants, for example in the chemical and food industries or in the oil industry. Large chemical plants for example may include up to 50,000 different kinds of pumps. Apart from the conveyance of liquids and solids, gas transport is also an important issue. The use of air as an energy source in pneumatics is impossible without piston compressors and screw-type compressors. Turbo engines are also used as energy generating machines like steam or gas turbines in fossil-fuelled or nuclear-operated thermal power stations. They are also used as hydroturbines or wind power stations for generating regenerative energies. Fans and blowers with which e.g. buildings are ventilated or machines are cooled also belong to the scope of turbo machines.
Material flow systems
A proper and economical transport and storage of all kinds of products inside and outside the companies is a matter of great import which has a major impact on the competitive situation.
- Selection of tasks and fields of activity in material flow engineering
Material flow engineering provides the technical means needed to master these transport tasks in an efficient manner. This discipline’s variety is already demonstrated by the fact that conveying machines such as worm conveyors and bucket elevators belonged to the first technical achievements of mankind. Today, the immensely rapid development of automation technology has yielded fully automatic transport and storage systems which were inconceivable only twenty years ago. Traditional conveying technology products include e.g. belt conveyors for bulk products such as ore, coal, sand, cereals or fertilizers. Ship loaders and unloaders transport goods in ports. Cranes lift heavy loads, containers provide a safe means of transportation of sensitive and delicate merchandise. Passengers in airports are transported by escalators and moving walkways. In high-rise buildings people reach their destination in lifts. In production and trading companies, distribution and sales organizations automatic material flow systems take care that the right goods reach the right destination at the right time. To do so, computer-controlled electric telphers, driverless transport devices and automatic high-bay stores are employed. Material flow engineering (materials-handling technology) is the mechanical engineering’s largest field of activity.
What is so special about material flow systems? Apart from standardized machines and plants it always challenges design engineers to develop special solutions.
Studying without selecting a specific field of study
In order to allow students to organize their studies as they please, they can make their own choice of elective compulsory technical subjects on the proviso that a minimum of 30 credits is maintained and that certain basic conditions are met.
Students of course have to take care that such a choice is constructive in terms of the knowledge to be acquired and the exams to be passed. In this particular case the male or female student is more accountable than if he or she decides to take part in one of the stipulated fields of study where the department already provides a useful combination of courses.
Care must also be taken that the selected lectures fit in with the timetable. This may also require a certain amount of initiative.
In order not to make a mistake, it is recommended to request a professor to give you a course guidance service or to ask for information from the examination board.
