Graduation or research internship - deformation car components

This graduation or research internship focuses on creating a computer (FEM) model that calculates how certain parts of a car tire, the so-called bead-apex, behave during manufacturing and assembly. The model should help explain how different designs affect deformation or bending in use. By developing this model, VMI can better understand how to optimize production processes to make better and more reliable tires.

Introduction

The goal of this internship is to create a computer (FEM) model that can calculate how certain parts of a car tire (the so-called bead-apex) behave when they are made and assembled. This model should help to understand how different designs of these parts affect the way they deform or bend when they are used. By developing this model, VMI can better understand how to optimize their production process to make better and more reliable tires.

Department

The R&D department Rubber Process & Tire Technology (RPTT) serves as a research and technology group (6 employees) to support other departments within VMI in topics related to rubber processing and tire technology. In that role RPTT researches current and potential promising topics relate to processing rubber compound. It additionally supports product groups to make the right design decisions to shape rubber in the right way in their machines.

What are you going to do?

This study focusses on developing a (FEM) model to study bead-apex deformation as caused by rest-stresses in the product during the assembling process. The non-linear nature of the problem should be taken into account, including large deformations and viscoelastic material models to describe the filled rubber compounds. To validate the models, experimental studies are to be performed using machines available at VMI.

Who are you?

• You are a student in HBO or WO Mechanical engineering or with a specialization in (non-linaer) engineering mechanics (which is a pre)
• Knowledge of a FEM-package is necessary
• As a person you are creative, analytical and research-oriented
• You are fulltime available for a period of 6 months (working from home is an option in consultation)

What do we offer?

We give you the opportunity to join a cozy team for at least 6 months. You will have the opportunity to carry out challenging research in which you can add real value to the organization. For this internship you will receive an internship allowance that you can expect from a leading company and a travel allowance.

In addition to our own internship program, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Master Class at Perron038.

What will your internship bring VMI?

By developing this model, VMI can better understand how to optimize their production process to make better and more reliable tires.

A screening test may be part of the application procedure