The PhD Summer School on Micro Mechanical Systems Design and Manufacture is a 5 ECTS credits course offered at DTU Mechanical Engineering to PhD students from Denmark and abroad. The Summer School has been developing through more than 10 years and the teaching plan has been continuously updated to match the technological advances in the field of micro manufacturing.
The course is based on strong core competencies of the Micro and Precision Manufacturing Section at DTU Mechanical Engineering. The core of the teaching team is composed by internationally recognized experts in the field of micro manufacturing from DTU Mechanical Engineering, with guest lecturers on selected subjects from other DTU Departments or from highly ranked universities or research centers abroad.
During the course, the students attend lectures on the most important micro manufacturing technologies, hands-on workshops and tutorials and carry out a challenging project. Furthermore students learn how to define tolerances for micro features beyond the use of available standards.
One of the key concepts of the course is that of process chain, namely, the coherent selection and combination of process technologies enabling the realization of micro components matching defined specifications.
A distinguishing element of the course is the project assignment. Through the project, the students apply the acquired knowledge to design, produce and test a challenging prototype micro product. To carry out the project, the students are organized in functional groups like in a research intensive SME. The entire class works together on the same project. Having to face such a challenging task, to be carried out in only two weeks, the students are brought to develop a good understanding of the complete product development process, emphasizing on collaboration and integration of competences provided through the different expert teams.
Also the social aspect of the course is very important. By working closely together for two weeks, the students develop an important professional network of future experts in different scientific disciplines.