Smart Sustainable Manufacturing
The manufacturing industry is not only an important driver of the (regional) economy but can also play a key role in finding solutions to our societal challenges in the field of the sustainable economy, climate change and an ageing population. The Centre of Expertise for Smart Sustainable Manufacturing brings together education, businesses and public authorities in the Northern Netherlands in an applied research programme aimed at making the manufacturing industry more sustainable for the future. Our motto in this endeavour is: ‘Doing more and better with less’.
Research themes
The Centre of Expertise for Smart Sustainable Manufacturing focuses on 5 core themes: Additive Manufacturing; Robotics & End-of-arm-tooling; Smart systems & Industrial Control; Model Based & Reliability Engineering and Appropriate Training. Each theme is associated with various research projects. Examples include the development of industrial robot applications for both plastic and composite welding and the 3D printing of large objects.
The Centre of Expertise for Expertise Smart Sustainable Manufacturing professorship is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ‘Sustainable consumption and production’.
The advantages of Additive Manufacturing (3D printing), such as freedom of form and the CAD-CAM integration, mean that the technology has already been embraced for prototyping purposes for a number of years. The introduction of new, stronger printable materials and techniques means that industrial applications are now within reach. Our goal is to shorten the step to industrial 3D printing of polymers and composites in particular through applied research into systems and materials.
Projects
- Binder3D (living lab)
- 3D Print Compass (EFRO pending)
- Big 3D printing with circular plastics (in consultation with the Professorship Circular Plastics)
- 3D-printing of construction parts (minor-assingment)
Robots are on the rise! Automation is not only required in terms of increasing productivity but is also necessary in view of an ageing population and an imminent outflow of professionals. This research domain focuses less on robots as such but rather on their application, such as the use of robots for pick & place applications. The research focus is on the application of robotic systems for Additive Manufacturing, such as polymer welding and 3D printing.
Projects
- Smart Polymer Welding – ID3AS (Interreg)
- Big Area Additive Manufacturing (contract research)
- Smart Polymer Welding Test System - ID3AS (Interreg)
- Friction Welding - Luxovius (EFRO)
The logistics process plays a key role in the transition from raw materials to products. Costs can account for up to 70% of the costs of the product, involve a quarter of the workforce, take up, up to, half of the floor space – as well as more than 80% of production time.
The key figures referred to apply to the entire manufacturing industry and show the importance of making this (intra)logistics process more efficient. Current developments in automation, robotics and digitalisation within the Smart Manufacturing domain are key enablers in making this (intra)logistics process smarter and more flexible using hardware and software.
Projects
- Smart X Factory Wearables – ROSF (REP)
- Digital Twin by Design - Luxovius
- Smart Industrial Solutions for Smart Industry - SISS (RAAK-mkb pending)
- Wearable Assembly line with Precise Unique Tasks – WALNUT (Grant scheme Smart Demonstration Factories demo factory)
Predictability and the pursuit of first-time-right design plays a key role in the domain of Model Based & Reliability Engineering, where models and state-of-the-art software tooling provide insight into the manufacturability, functionality and expected lifespan of products and systems.
Projects
- Certificied Reliability Engineer (Training)
- Industrial Statistics (Training)
- 3D printing of construction parts (minor assignment)
In addition to the ageing population and radical technological changes under the influence of digitalisation and robotics, the pressure on the labour market is only set to increase in future – especially for highly-skilled workers. It is expected that between 35% and 60% of current, often routine jobs in the Netherlands are under threat as a result of increasing automation. The rapidly changing labour market requires continuous development of knowledge and skills on the part of the working population. Our approach is to create a breeding ground for a suitable range of training courses for regional businesses together with professionals and students based on demand-based applied research.
Projects
Contact
If you have any questions about one of our projects or would like to find out about the opportunities available to work with students, then please get in touch!
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Centre of Expertise for Smart Sustainable Manufacturing
Van Schaikweg 94
7811 KL Emmen
Telephone number: +31620882460
Email address: wilbert.van.den.eijnde@nhlstenden.com
Team members
- Dr. Wilbert van den Eijnde
- Johannes Bruinsma
- Karel Assenberg
- Mark van de Staay
- Ron Linde
- Sietze Vlietstra
- Damy Többen
- Maarten Arnolli
- Werner Timans
