A group of mechanical and manufacturing engineering students recently travelled to Germany to explore BMW, Audi, MAN Trucks and KUKA robotics plants.
The group consisted of 34 mechanical and manufacturing engineering students, all interested in learning more about the automotive and robotics industries which are well represented in both Munich and Bavaria, Germany.
BMW and Audi
The group had the opportunity to explore both the BMW Group Plant Munich and Audi Car Plant in Ingolstadt. Both factories are among the world's most modern and sustainable vehicle plants, producing hybrid, electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Smart technology
Students were fascinated by the various ‘smart factory’ technologies currently in use at these plants, which included Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and high-end robots working in tandem with human workers.
Behind the scenes
The group gained valuable insights and a behind the scenes look into both large-scale ‘just-in-time’ and ‘just-in-sequence’ production facilities. The state-of-the-art museums and visitor centres at both BMW and Audi were a highlight for the group, as were the Deutsches Museum in Munich and Olympic Park.
MAN Truck
The group also participated in a tour of the MAN Truck Plant in Munich which displayed vehicle manufacture on a different scale. This proved to be a very immersive and rewarding experience for our group likewise.
KUKA robotics
The final visit of the trip was to KUKA robotics plant in Augsburg, where many of the robots used in the automotive industry are manufactured.
The students enjoyed seeing both humans and robots collaborating in the assembly line. This gave the group of students the opportunity to see the application of theory learned in class, put into practice on a large scale.
Real-world experience
These international trips are an integral part of the mechanical and manufacturing engineering student experience here at SETU, as students get to experience how the theory they learn in the classroom applies to real-world industries.
The group would like to thank the sponsors who made this trip possible: Kent Stainless, Parle Furniture, Engineers Ireland, Aughnagally Landscapes, Wexford Low Energy Homes, Department of Engineering Technology, Sports and Societies team at SETU in Waterford.
