A career day for all Mechanical Engineers of the Netherlands

10:30 - 11:15

Developing and modeling a hydraulic test cart for commercial aircraft Lecture by HYDAC

Commercial aircraft contain miles of hydraulic lines. They are part of the flight control systems, are used in the thrust reversers and operate the wheels and brakes. But before an aircraft can take flight, all these systems must be tested thoroughly. This is done using specialized hydraulic testing units that can power the 350bar hydraulic systems. HYDAC/HYCOM produces such units, powered by diesel engines and wired electric motors.
However, current global circumstances require innovation toward newer, more sustainable drive systems, such as battery-powered test units.
Electric drive systems are also favorable in terms of controllability. Their ability to quickly adjust its output power has the potential of simplifying the hydraulic system and improving efficiency. In the process of fitting an electric drive, A model of the complete hydraulic system and its behavior is made.
In this lecture we will explain more on the use of these hydraulic test units. We will also dive into more detail in the modeling of hydraulic systems.

11:30 - 12:15

Turning Mechanical Engineering Challenges into Production Solutions Lecture by VDL-ETG

In this session, engineers from VDL ETG Technology & Development will guide you through a real-life engineering challenge, demonstrating the complete journey from problem analysis and experimental research to design, implementation and production support.
The challenge arose during the production of magnet plates for a semiconductor application. Recurring failures were caused by an adhesive that did not provide sufficient bonding strength. Following extensive testing and validation, the team designed new machine modules to integrate the adhesive and activator into the production systems. They then manufactured, installed and commissioned these modules, developed new production processes, and trained operators and factory engineers.
During the lecture to get an impression of the real-life projects Mechanical Engineers at VDL ETG take-on.

13:30 - 14:15

Major design drivers for naval exposed environment Lecture by Thales

At THALES Hengelo, radar systems are developed for naval ships. This naval environment exposes the radar systems to a variety of conditions. Some of those are major design drivers for the design. During the lecture we will give insights in how we design for this through an interactive approach. Besides that, we will give a short introduction on what THALES is and does in the Netherlands.

14:15 - 15:00

Make Clean Energy Your Mission: Become a High-Tech Engineer in Nuclear Energy at ETC Lecture by ETC

Enrichment Technology Company (ETC) is an international high-tech company whose main business is the development, manufacturing and installation of highly efficient technology solutions (plant with cascades of thousands ultra centrifuges) for uranium enrichment. The enriched uranium is used as fuel for Nuclear Power Plants. This makes ETC a highly specialized supplier within the nuclear power industry, making a significant contribution to the energy supply through low-carbon nuclear energy in numerous countries around the world. At this moment, ETC is rapidly growing due to the world wide net-zero strategy and a constantly increasing market share of our customers/shareholders Urenco and Orano. During the presentation Devi Wolthuizen will explain more about the nuclear fuel cycle, the company ETC and the way engineering is supporting the tremendous growth of the company.

10:30 - 11:15

How do you help build the airport of tomorrow and drive the energy transition? Lecture by BAM

During this lecture, BAM will take you behind the scenes of two landmark projects: the new A-Pier at Schiphol Airport and TenneT’s 2GW projects on the Maasvlakte.
Discover how mechanical systems contribute to an airport serving millions of passengers each year and to the integration of offshore wind energy into the Dutch electricity grid. A real-world story about engineering, collaboration, and the challenges of building the future.
Please note: this lecture will be delivered in Dutch.

11:15 - 12:15

Realising an offshore wind farm Lecture by Van Oord

As a leading marine contractor, Van Oord plays a key role in delivering offshore wind projects around the world. This presentation follows the complete Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) process of a typical offshore wind farm. We will discuss our real life challenges from design to offshore execution.

13:30 - 14:45

Factory visit Heinz Factory visit to Heinz

Ever wondered how brands like De Ruijter, Karvan Cévitam, Venz, and Brinta are made? Step inside the Kraft Heinz Utrecht factory for a guided look at the technology and processes behind these iconic Dutch brands. Led by two of our Maintenance Managers, the tour will show you firsthand the engineering challenges of keeping a modern manufacturing facility running and the career opportunities it can offer.

10:30 - 11:15

Innovative Approaches in Tyre Design: From Concept to Performance Lecture by Apollo Tyres

Apollo Tyres employs virtual prototyping to develop Ultra High-Performance tyres, enhancing efficiency in meeting key performance goals. This approach reduces the need for multiple physical prototypes and extensive testing, allowing for rapid design iterations. By creating physics-based tyre models, engineers can simulate tyre performance across various conditions. This integrated development method not only accelerates time-to-market but also minimizes environmental impact and development costs, ultimately leading to superior tyre performance and reliability.

11:30 - 12:15

Engineering from concept to reality Lecture by TME

At TME, we design and build custom equipment for the offshore wind and dry bulk industries. In this presentation, we’ll showcase some of the projects we’re proud to have worked on and take a deep dive into one specific project from an engineering perspective.

13:30 - 14:15

NH90: Achter de schermen van een militaire helikopter Lecture by COMMIT

Binnen COMMIT is het type management bureau van de NH90-helikopter verantwoordelijk voor het waarborgen van de luchtwaardigheid en inzetbaarheid van de helikopter. Als typecertificaathouder houden wij toezicht op het onderhoud en zijn wij bevoegd om ontwerpwijzigingen door te voeren en nieuwe (wapen)systemen te ontwikkelen. Hierbij werken wij nauw samen met de militaire luchtvaartautoriteiten. Ons doel is om ervoor te zorgen dat de NH90 veilig, betrouwbaar en maximaal inzetbaar blijft voor militaire operaties.
Please note: this lecture will be delivered in Dutch.

14:30 - 15:15

Optimizing Movable Bridge Mechanisms Lecture by Movares

Discover a new optimization tool that helps engineers design movable bridge mechanisms with lower forces while fitting within tight spatial constraints. By exploring thousands of possible configurations, the tool identifies efficient solutions for complex engineering challenges.
Using the Balgzandbrug in Noord-Holland as a real-world example, this presentation shows how mathematical optimization can make the design of bridge mechanisms more efficient and effective.

15:30 - 16:15

Innovating Conductor Removal Lecture by Allseas

In the offshore industry, Allseas is renowned for its innovation, most notably through Pioneering Spirit, which is used for the removal of offshore platforms.
In some cases, conductors also need to be removed. This process is still time-consuming and cumbersome, and therefore a new piece of equipment has been developed, named "The Buncher." This presentation describes the challenges associated with conductor removal and explains how the development of this new piece of equipment came about.

10:30 - 11:45

CV-Workshop Workshop by YER

Your CV is your ticket to job interviews. But does yours really stand out?
In this interactive workshop, recruitment experts from YER show you exactly how to build a CV that recruiters want to read.

13:30 - 14:45

Dive into concept design engineering Case Study by Damen

The maritime industry is rapidly transitioning towards sustainable and emission-free operations. As a Concept Design Engineer at Damen Shipyards, you are challenged to develop a new fully electric vessel tailored to specific operational requirements.
Using a selection of hull forms, propulsion systems, and energy storage solutions, you must create a vessel that achieves the optimal balance between speed, range, and cost.
In this case, you will perform a system-level engineering study, assess vessel performance, and justify your design choices based on technical data. The final objective is to deliver a vessel concept that satisfies the client's requirements while maximizing overall performance. Join the Damen Case to discover your maritime talent!

13:30 - 14:45

Ensuring safety and good functionality in tunnels Case Study by Haskoning

In this case study, you’ll take on the role of a consultant and work on tunnel engineering systems. These include lighting, ventilation, video surveillance, and systems that ensure safety and smooth traffic flow. Together, you’ll tackle a real-world problem and discover how engineering and infrastructure come together in large-scale projects. The case study is supervised by experts from Haskoning, who work on complex tunnel and infrastructure projects every day. It’s a great opportunity to get acquainted with a field you might not immediately think of, but one you encounter everywhere you go.

10:30 - 11:45

Designing hydrogen plants for the future Case Study by Witteveen + Bos

What does it take to turn renewable energy into hydrogen? And how do you design a facility to make it happen? In this case study, you’ll team up with fellow students to explore hydrogen production and the mechanical engineering challenges engineers tackle every day.
At Witteveen+Bos, our engineers work on complex challenges that shape the world around us. You’ll get a taste of how mechanical engineering helps bring future hydrogen plants to life, with topics ranging from water and energy to process installations, heating and cooling, and building safety.
Your challenge: work together to explore ideas and develop a design for part of a hydrogen plant. You’ll work with a real project from Witteveen+Bos as your starting point—but don’t be afraid to think beyond the existing design. There’s no single ready-made solution, and your fresh ideas might lead to a different approach.
Ready to take on the challenge and help shape the hydrogen plants of the future?

13:30 - 14:45

Powering the Campus of 2040

The future of innovation depends on energy. As high-tech campuses continue to grow, increasing electricity demand and grid congestion are becoming major barriers to expansion. As a global leader in the energy transition, Equans helps organizations develop sustainable, reliable, and future-proof energy solutions.
In this case, you will step into the role of an Equans energy consultant and tackle a real-life challenge at TU/e. The university wants to build a new cleanroom facility, but the campus has already reached its maximum grid capacity.
Analyze energy data, identify bottlenecks, and explore solutions such as battery storage, renewable energy, smart energy management, and flexibility measures. Your goal is to design a sustainable and future-proof energy system that enables campus growth while staying within existing grid constraints.
Can you power the campus of 2040?

15:00 - 16:15

Smart and Safe Hose Reel Design

Part of the maintenance process of aircraft is the testing of the hydraulic systems. To avoid the starting process of the entire aircraft, the hydraulic systems are powered by remote testing units. These units, made by HYDAC/HYCOM, can deliver up to 350bar to power the aircraft. These carts carry large reels of hydraulic hoses to connect to the aircraft. Expanding to larger system has led to an increase in the weight and size of these reels. This makes operation heavy and its inertia can cause the hose to jam.
We need help in coming up with a design for a hose reel that can be operated by hand, avoids jamming and can be powered to rewind the hose.