Specialisation Module Production and Manufacturing Technologies

Module content

The Forming Machine Tools and Control of Manufacturing Systems module provides comprehensive knowledge of the design and operation of forming machine tools and the control of manufacturing systems. Special emphasis is placed on the various components of forming and cutting machine tools. Topics include drive concepts such as stroke-bound, energy-bound and power-bound drives, as well as auxiliary drives for holding devices, draw cushions and ejectors. It also covers the necessary safety devices and the tool and workpiece flow system within a manufacturing system.

The module also covers the design and control of manufacturing systems, including tool change and magazine systems, and control loops for CNC machines. Basic concepts of Computer Numerical Control (CNC), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and analogue and digital signal processing are taught through practical examples. The use of cell computers, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Production Planning Systems (PPS/ERP) completes the content. By combining theory, case studies and practical application, the module enhances understanding of the control and optimisation of manufacturing processes.

Acquired competences

The module specifically develops technical, methodological, personal and social skills. You will gain a solid understanding of the fundamentals of forming processes and manufacturing systems. You will also acquire the ability to analyse the control of such systems and calculate the required forming and cutting forces. Knowledge of drive sizing and control programming (PLC and CNC) will enable you to put theoretical approaches into practice.

The module also strengthens your academic independence by teaching you to adopt critical perspectives, pursue self-directed learning and objectively evaluate different viewpoints within a business context. In addition to the ability to communicate content clearly and present your ideas objectively, discussions will enhance your teamwork and communication skills. This will prepare you to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, develop technical solutions and manage complex processes.

Module Content

The Materials Science and Cutting Machine Tools module provides in-depth knowledge of materials and their applications in manufacturing. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing and characterising groups of materials, including metallic materials such as steels, cast iron, aluminium and copper, and non-metallic materials such as plastics, ceramics, glass and composites. In addition to material-specific properties, materials with special characteristics and their importance in product development are studied. The fundamentals of metallurgy and polymer science form an important basis for this module.

A further focus is on cutting machine tools and their classification by level of automation. The module covers the structure and functionality of typical machine tools, as well as thermally induced manufacturing inaccuracies. Emphasis is placed on economic production and the selection of appropriate tools and materials. Case studies illustrate the practical selection of materials and the use of suitable machines for product manufacture. Complementary online facilities provide opportunities for discussion and application of concepts to real-life professional scenarios.

Acquired competences

The module comprehensively develops technical, methodological, personal and social skills. You will learn to differentiate between groups of materials, interpret their key properties and describe their characterisation. At the same time, you will be able to evaluate suitable machine tools and understand their applications. These theoretical foundations will enable you to select materials and machines based on specific requirements and to justify your decisions.

In addition, you will develop the ability to research independently and effectively, to contribute insights to discussions and to present your observations objectively. You will be able to explain and communicate material selection and machine tool applications in a professional context. Your teamwork skills will also be enhanced through interaction with a variety of stakeholders in design and production, enabling you to apply theoretical knowledge collaboratively to develop solutions. This combination of theory, practice and interaction prepares you for the demands of modern manufacturing processes.

Module content

The Industrial Production Economics module provides you with in-depth knowledge in the fields of operations research and operations management. It introduces methods for analysing and optimising industrial processes. In Operations Research, you will learn graphical and mathematical solutions to linear optimisation problems and techniques such as primal simplex, dual simplex and two-phase methods. Fundamentals of graph theory and network planning, as well as an overview of dynamic optimization and Bellman's optimality principle, complement this area.

Operations Management focuses on the analysis and planning of operations. Key topics include location planning, qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods, models for optimal order quantity planning and dynamic lot sizing. You will also explore production programme planning, inventory management and the underlying decision models. By integrating these topics with practical applications, you will learn to effectively model and optimise industrial processes.

Acquired competences

The module strengthens your professional, methodological, personal and social skills. You will learn to identify optimisation problems and solve them graphically and mathematically using linear optimisation methods. You will also be able to develop network plans from activity lists, create schedules and calculate buffer times for non-critical activities. You will apply various forecasting methods and evaluate the fundamentals of location planning and inventory management from an economic perspective.

Methodologically, you will gain the ability to apply tools such as the dual simplex or two-phase method in practice. You will develop a reflective, critical mindset and improve your ability to present complex mathematical results in a clear and understandable way. This will enable you to present sound mathematical and economic solutions in an industrial context and to communicate effectively in interdisciplinary teams.

Module content

The Digital Production and Logistics Management module provides a comprehensive overview of the digitalisation of value creation processes and the transformation of industrial production systems in the context of Industry 4.0. The focus is on the analysis and management of digital business processes and their interaction with analogue processes. You will learn the basics of value creation process management and its importance for sustainable system support in digitalised environments.

A key topic is digital production planning and control, particularly in customised manufacturing. You will also be introduced to the latest Industry 4.0 technologies and methods, enabling you to efficiently adapt and develop business models. Practical assignments deepen your knowledge by allowing you to apply theoretical content to your own case studies and present the results in written form. Online lectures and podcasts help you gain a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation.

Acquired competences

This module will enhance your professional, methodological, personal and social skills. You will gain in-depth knowledge of digital process and production management systems and understand their role in the digital economy. This understanding will enable you to analyse analogue and digital processes, apply innovative production methods and optimise business models in the context of Industry 4.0. You will learn basic methods for planning and controlling production processes, especially for customised products.

Methodologically, you will develop the ability to analyse business processes, develop your own proposals and implement them through practical assignments. You will improve your independence by working independently on tasks, reflecting on your results and presenting them effectively. You will also learn to deal constructively with feedback. Social skills, such as working in interdisciplinary teams and communicating results, complete the module. With this broad range of skills, you will be well prepared to meet the demands of the digitalised industry.