Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering includes the theoretically oriented subjects of mechanics and solid mechanics, and the more applied subjects of materials engineering, machine elements, and production & materials engineering. About 50 employees work at the department. Courses are given mainly in the Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Management and Engineering, and Engineering Physics programmes, but also, to varying degrees in LTH’s other programmes.

 Mechanical Engineering

In Machine Elements studies are carried out on the various components of machines and ways in which they can be optimized. Research at LTH is directed towards: a) critical rotational speed, i.e. the rotational speed at which serious vibration occurs in machines, b) tribology, i.e. the study of the interactions between surfaces, such as friction, and c) transmissions, i.e. gear boxes and other machine elements that transfer force and power.

In Materials Engineering, various materials such as metals, alloys, composites and ceramic materials are studied, mainly in machines. Calculations predicting which materials can withstand high loads and temperatures in aeroplane engines and in the engineering industry are central.

Mechanics is the basic physical subject that deals with the equilibrium and motion of bodies under the action of external forces. Researchers are developing models describing how different materials are deformed or affected in other ways when they are subjected to mechanical or thermal loading. Other areas include vibration, fracture mechanics, wave dispersion, micromechanical modelling and particle dynamics in electromagnetic fields.

Production and Materials Engineering is an applied, industrial subject. Researchers are primarily involved in developing materials and production techniques for the manufacturing industry. Special areas of interest include metal cutting (development of models and techniques in turning, milling and drilling), the development of manufacturing processes and materials for electromagnetic components, as well as new ways to simulate the costs of manufacturing.