Production Technology

The subject Method covers quantitative and qualitative surveys, how to carry out and use data analysis and how to best plan development processes etc. You are also introduced to writing reports, teamwork and how you can work with projects.

When developing new products, you must be able to explain relevant design methods, from user understanding to physical models. You work with projects which involve developing products based on user needs and current market conditions. From this starting point, you specify the product’s functions as well as the wishes and requirements.

You work systematically with the development of concepts and communication of your ideas through freehand sketching, renderings and concept models.

In order to construct products, you need basic knowledge about statics and strength calculations. Statics are used to calculate the external and internal forces on a physical product, e.g. the forces impacting a ladder.  A key methodological aspect of statics is working with equilibria – or the principle of the lever.

By doing strength calculations, you can calculate how large a load a supporting beam can withstand. By doing strength calculations, you must also work with and learn how the shape of a beam and the choice of material impact the strength of a product.

In the Technical Documentation subject, you learn how to produce a 3D CAD model as product documentation.

You will be introduced to technical drawing, and acquire knowledge about how to design and assess tolerances, both the geometric tolerances associated with the accuracy of the shape (e.g. an angle) of the product, and the dimensional tolerances used to describe how accurate the dimensions of a product must be.

You also learn about patents, standards and technical specifications.

The choice of materials is of decisive importance in the product development process. The subject prepares you to make qualified decisions about materials for use in production. You are introduced to the properties of various materials, enabling you to choose the best materials for your product from the point of view of environmental concerns, durability and quality.

You also learn about various manufacturing methods, and how you select the most appropriate method for the manufacture of your product.

In the Business Technology subject, you are introduced to the more administrative aspects of project management. You acquire knowledge about how to do budgets and about the financial management of projects. You also learn about business plans and about quality management in the production process.

In addition, you gain insights into how you can help businesses become more targeted at the international market, thereby increasing their competitiveness internationally.

You learn how to optimise production, for example using Lean Six Sigma. You also learn how you can use OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency), KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to optimise production.

You are also introduced to inventory building and management as well as cost prices. Moreover, you gain an understanding of the basis of production as well as factory layout.

The Automation subject provides you with fundamental knowledge about electricity, PLC, pneumatics and hydraulics, and you learn how to dimension pneumatic and hydraulic components.

If you want to specialise in product development, you must select the specialisation Product Development. 

This will enable you to build on your knowledge about product development and design from the first and second semesters. You learn how to design products so as to minimise their environmental impact throughout the entire product life-cycle, and you learn where to find the specifications as well as the tools you need to calculate total environmental impacts.

You boost your knowledge about design and your design skills. You achieve this through learning about different historical interpretations of aesthetics, through extended use of SolidWorks and finally through a programme of some length of developing physical prototypes. 

Moreover, you are introduced to Industry 4.0, with a focus on the integration of the digital world and physical manufacturing activities. You are equipped to assist companies in the developments taking place in the industry right now.

If you want to specialise in how to best optimise production, you must select the specialisation Production Optimisation.

This will enable you to build on your understanding of business operations from the first and second semesters. You acquire knowledge about how to optimise production processes based on the Lean way of thinking.

You are introduced to the financial aspects of production, and acquire knowledge about how to qualify optimisation processes using statistical tools. You also learn how to use quality concepts and techniques for the purpose of production optimisation.

In addition, you learn about the supply chain in the companies, and how inventory projections can help businesses plan and optimise production based on the future demand for a particular product.