This year, students defending their master thesis at the Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering pleasantly surprised the representatives of the Lithuanian industry, though, usually, the members of the thesis defence commission are highly critical when assessing the theses. It is worth noting that these are the graduates of the first class of the new specialisation – Design and Production of Mechanical Systems – of the Mechanical Engineering master's study programme launched two years ago. The programme is given both in Lithuanian and in English languages.
According to the members of the thesis defence commission, the students are well prepared for the future challenges and meet the requirements of the modern innovative industry. Also this programme provides an opportunity to recruit international students.
The members of the commission noted that a thesis "Design Optimization of Turbocharger Backplate" by Tarush Sharma – a student from India – is exceptionally outstanding. The student analysed dynamic parameters of a constituent part of a car turbocharger – turbocharger backplate. The results of the research impressed the members of the commission, who have extensive experience in research and development of mechanical systems of similar complexity. The thesis results showed a different perspective on the dynamic characteristics of high speed mechanical elements. The analysis of the dynamic characteristics allows to improve the indicators of reliability.
"The master student was deeply immersed in the research. He performed thorough theoretical analysis and carried out experimental research, he optimised parameters and offered the final digital model of a turbocharger backplate. Modern technologies of 3D printing of metal elements have been used to make the prototype of the item, and real characteristics have been tested with methods and tools of acoustic diagnosis. The results of the research provide the ground for significant improvement of the reliability of the elements and integrals of turbochargers. It is worth noting that turbocharger turbine reaches 150 000 rotations per minute – this item requires especially high accuracy and its commercial success depends on well-chosen dynamic parameters. In addition, I would like to emphasise that master thesis by Tarush Sharma belongs to the category of the most outstanding master theses," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Robertas Urbanavičius, the supervisor of the thesis.
The Head of the Department Prof. Dr. M.Jurevičius confirmed that master student Tarush Sharma quickly became an active member of VGTU community and showed an immense interest in mechanical engineering. "We are sure that he – now our Alumnus – will demonstrate the skills he gained while studying in the new, highly demanded specialisation of master studies at VGTU," said Prof. Dr. M.Jurevičius.
Other outstanding students also analysed industry-relevant problems. The results of Tomas Aksenavičius research on dynamic characteristics of an industrial vibrotransporter are being implemented by company Intersurgical. Tomas' fellow student Edvinas Remeika carried out research and created a digital simulation programme based on analysis of dynamic parameters of a piston mechanism without connecting-rod invented by a Lithuanian inventor Herbertas Vinkleris.
Master thesis "Accuracy tests of miniportal CNC milling machines" by Tadas Vengalis, a student from the Industrial Technologies specialisation at the Industrial Engineering study programme, is also worth mentioning. The student designed and constructed a CNC milling machine, and carried out tests of the main parameters of accuracy. The control system of this milling machine allows to operate the machine via modern IT equipment, e.g. mobile phone. Professional CNC machines are expensive and many businesses cannot afford them. It is quite often that companies and small businesses design and make their own CNC-based equipment.
Often, design of CNC machines is hindered by lack of basic knowledge: analysis of the rigidity of the framework is not carried out, a uniform testing methodology is not followed. The right structure and materials, which make up the most of the final cost of the machine, in terms of quality and accuracy of processing can be equivalent to mid-range quality portal CNC milling machine. Elements used in the machine are of medium precision, the frame is welded, control components are chosen rationally. When materials and regimes of their processing are chosen wisely, one can reach high processing quality of plastic, non-ferrous metals, and MDF items.
