Thesis: Investigation of polymer bracket design

Functiebeschrijving

The CAE-engines department is responsible for creation and validation of models that can describe and predict the behaviour of the new and current engines. Due to more increasing requirements on emissions modern diesel engines have become complex systems. These emission legislations cause the need to add additional sub-systems to the base engine. To ensure all these sub-systems with wiring and lines can be accommodated on the base engine support brackets are being used. Currently brackets are made out of metals to assure lifetime capabilities of those brackets. Since weight is a key aspect in creating all parts polymers brackets would have a huge advantage over metal brackets.

Within DAF the need to investigate if low load bearing brackets could be made out of polymer materials. This reduction in weight would lead to a more efficient engine and eventually to a higher payload that our customers can transport. Based on current brackets an investigation using Finite Element Methods (FEM) could be started to see if the transition to polymer brackets is feasible. Hereby it would be needed to take the different design constraint between our conventional and polymer brackets into account.

Finally a document containing recommendations and/or design guidelines should be written to show the correct use polymer brackets.

For each step the following steps need to be taken:

• Analytical calculations;- Numerical modelling;
• Investigation of the influence of different materials (with its design constraints) on the brackets;
• Result evaluation;
• Write document with recommendations for polymer brackets.

The assignment will be mainly theoretical using Abaqus CAE as FEM software.

Jouw profiel

We are looking for an enthusiastic 4th year Bachelor student who is studying in the direction of Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering. Only HBO Bachelor thesis graduation students will be considered.

Furthermore, all communication will be done in English.

Afdeling

Within the PACCAR Inc. DAF Engine Development is the center of competence for engine development. In our state-of-the-art engine development center we develop engine families for the future regulations. Our engines and trucks are best in class products in the transportation world being always driven by providing environmentally friendly products with best cost-effectiveness and highest reliability for our customers.

The department Engine Hardware & Design is responsible for the development of new engine hardware concepts and maintaining the in-production engine families. The department is divided in 4 groups: CAE, Injection & Turbo, Base Engine and Engine Auxiliaries. For the CAE group we have an open position for a bachelor graduate student.

Wij bieden

• A view behind the scenes at a large international corporation;You will get a lot of freedom and responsibility;
• We are open to your initiatives and depending on the assignment you see your results back in the workplace;
• An experienced coach and supervisor who can teach you a lot and is willing to help you with your assignment;
• After your graduation, you will have the opportunity to start your career at DAF;
• An internship wage of € 375,- (Bachelor) and € 450,- (Master) per month on full-time base;
• A travel allowance, if you don’t have a student travel product (provided by the Dutch government);
• A housing allowance, if you temporarily rent a room near DAF.