International Automotive Engineering

Dear prospective students,
dear students, dear future automobile experts

Thank you for your interest in our Master's degree programme.
 
The Master's degree programme "International Automotive Engineering" is offered by the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. Within this programme, students are taught the technological basics and in-depth knowledge in the conception and the development of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. This comprises technical vehicle design with regard to market, legislative and manufacturing requirements.

Course modules cover the vehicle's main domains in the area of powertrain (ICE, electric machines, transmission), energy storage systems (chemically, electrically, hydraulically), body (design, material, hybrid), safety, vehicle concepts and others. Graduates will be proficient in relevant technological areas like energy efficiency, exhaust and acoustic emissions, mechatronics, light weight material, structural fatigue and durability.

The programme provides in-depth knowledge of industrial design approaches and research topics with regard to real-world vehicle requirements, market developments and legislative constraints.

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology have jointly offered a Double Degree Programme "International Automotive Engineering" since September 2014. Students of both universities spend some time of their studies at the other university and, after four semesters, receive a Master's degree of FH Aachen as well as RMIT University.

More information about the Double Master's Degree Programme can be found on the following websites. Please contact the Aachen programme coordinator in case of further questions.
 
Thomas Esch



 

Powertrain Application -
Integrated solutions for tomorrow’s demands

In Testing Laboratories, virtual simulation results of automotive powertrains (engine and transmission) are tested and validated under real conditions. Whether single assemblies or the whole powertrain are tested, testing equipment enables to simulate any possible impact on the powertrain later on in real life situations (mechanical tests and environmental simulations, functional and life span tests of e.g. engine and transmission, vibroacoustic appraisals, passive vehicle safety, vehicle trials, ...).
 
Testing and Validation Powertrain Team are a vital part of the integrated development process. It is integrated with the Technical Calculation Teams and focuses on validating and confirming virtual powertrain simulation results. Testing results are immediately fed back to development and contribute to constant quality enhancement. There are no compromises for companies when it comes
to quality.
 
Working on the basis of a requirement analysis, Electrics/Electronic Integration Teams work out concepts ranging from the definition of the electric/electronic architecture, or the development of hard and software, through to vehicle integration. By carrying out powertrain electronic checks and tests on both software and hardware components throughout the development and production phases, the team guarantees ready-for-production solutions.
 
The electric design and development of the powertrain’s electrical system are further elements in the service spectrum. They cover all relevant process stages, from the development of the concept for the electrical system, cable routing and component design through to the management of the suppliers concerned. Besides designing space requirements (package) and parts (e.g. electric/electronic components, cable harnesses, actuator/sensor technology, etc.) the Electronic Development Teams develop complete control units, and guarantee their integration within the network of all the systems in the vehicle. Daily work is characterised by the frequent use of bus systems such as CAN, LIN, Most or Bluetooth, and their corresponding tools.
 
The focus of Electronic Development Team is on the development of safe, embedded systems in accordance with the IEC and ISO standard. The functional safety in the vehicle/powertrain is greatly enhanced not only by the growing number of driver assistance systems, but also due to ever-increasing demands on passenger and pedestrian protection.

 

Vehicle Simulation -
From the first planning idea to a functional, virtual prototype

Technical Calculation Teams ensure that functional requirements for individual vehicle modules are fulfilled all the way through the whole vehicle, prior even to construction of the first prototype.
 
Based on the DMU synchronization products, all relevant functions, such as vehicle safety, acoustics, aerodynamics, fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, operational stability, and rigidity of vehicle parts are tested virtually. Results from the technical calculation enable to define ideal solution suggestions for the construction and the subsequent practical application to the prototype. Installation space analysis and packaging studies are also virtual part of a full vehicle integration process.
 
Today‘s hardware infrastructure consisting of several computer clusters allows providing calculation and optimization results within a very limited amount of time. Furthermore, the Technical Calculation Teams constantly work on optimizing the internal process times by programming their software tools accordingly. By working closely with the Testing Division Teams, intensive validations are performed to optimize simulation methods and explore new subject areas.
 
Technical calculations are a vital success factor in validating all functional requirements within a limited amount of time.

 

Vehicle Integration -
From individual modules to a functioning whole vehicle

Vehicle Integration Teams keep an eye on the entire development process. Thereby organizing projects in an economical manner is just as important as fulfilling all technical requirements.
 
The Vehicle Integration Team controls and monitors the defined requirements for vehicle safety, fuel consumption, emissions, acoustics and aerodynamics throughout the entire development process: from design, simulation, testing and validation to certification across all modules. It ensures the mechanical integration, the wedding of the powertrain/chassis system and the body while integrating electronic/electric systems and taking care of the homologation activities.
 
In order to plan for validation of developments, it is important to establish project plans controlling the entire course of the project and covering all modules and functions. How many prototypes are needed? Which tests can be performed using which prototypes? Together with the experts from all disciplines, the Vehicle Integration Team taps into synergy effects in order to reduce the prototype cost. The goal is to apply a development plan that is both time and cost effective.
 
In order to comply with legal requirements, the Vehicle Integration Team ensures access to all applicable laws worldwide concerning vehicle development and supports the individual departments in their development efforts.

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