Promoting innovation in manufacturing through industrial systems

The industry has a great need for competence in automation and robotics (see below some examples of major challenges for the future). To improve the conditions for the industry's recruitment of qualified personnel, we at Karlstad University want to drive further the quality development of our engineering programs. To prepare our engineering students for their future professional careers, the continuous updating of the equipment is needed when it comes to the field of automation and robotics. Therefore, a modern industrial robot and five automation systems have therefore been purchased, which will increase the quality of our engineering programs.

  • modeling requires new methods to more quickly produce models with the right complexity
  • automation will also include digital twins, simulations and integration with virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR).
  • The use of mathematical optimization will require new algorithms for robust optimization
  • the energy and environmental fields will make the needs for automation and flexibility , for example, adaptive control of energy storage
  • human robot interaction (HRI) will require a completely different safety perspective

Today and tomorrow's industry requires modern technology where collaboration takes place between people, between people and machines and between machines. Machines can monitor themselves, analyze the results and autonomously optimize operating conditions and production. The result is higher efficiency and productivity. A new era of industrial robots that can work side by side with humans, especially in various forms of small component assemblies and material handling, has already begun. The industrial robot and automation system have been financed through an investment from the Ljungberg Memorial Fund. The goal is to develop the engineering educations so that they are always at the forefront and give our students cutting-edge competence in their field.

Pedagogical plan

The pedagogical plan is focused on implementing different activities within courses in engineering for both undergraduate and graduate level. Study visits will be arranged for prospective students, lectures, demonstrations, laboratory work and thesis work.

Partners

  • Valmet AB
  • Stora Enso
  • AFRY AB
  • Goodtech Solutions AB
  • Prevas AB
  • Inission AB
  • High schools in the county of Värmland.