Digital Engineering goes abroad
Digital Engineering goes abroad
Digital Engineering goes abroad
September 24, 2024
This summer, Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering professor Antonios Kontsos introduced a cutting-edge pilot education program at the University of Thessaly in Volos, Greece. For five days this July, Kontsos, the Director of DEHub and Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, led the first-ever Digital Design & Advanced Manufacturing Summer School (DDAM) in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Thessaly.
Using both classroom instruction and hands-on learning, students were introduced to modern aspects of digital design and advanced manufacturing, covering concepts such as digital product design, manufacturing methods, design optimization methodologies, additive manufacturing and quality assessment. Students also observed industry professionals at factory site visits, touring plants at Lafarge and Ilvief in Volos. The week culminated with group presentations and awards.
DDAM summer school was attended by four American students, three French students from Polytech Nantes, France, and 17 Greek students from the University of Thessaly.
From day one, students were tasked with designing and manufacturing a drone, exposing learners to computer-aided design and engineering concepts, like 3D modeling. Throughout the week, students improved their designs through simulation, optimization, manufacturing, testing and quality control.
Participants also worked within groups to design devices of their choice, including a model airplane, Formula 1 helmets, a portable fan and a taffy puller. Teams then presented their concepts to a panel of judges.
The week-long intensive was meant to teach students a semester’s worth of digital design and advanced manufacturing material in one week. The DDAM was proof that under Rowan instruction, students with a background in engineering can quickly learn these new technologies.
The summer program was so successful, Kontsos will host a second edition of DDAM next summer and is working to develop a master’s level online program in digital manufacturing that will be available to students based anywhere on earth.