Overview

Manufacturing technologies

Questions about the planning, technical and business aspects, management and quality assurance in industrial production are dealt with in this field of study.

The study field at a glance

This area deals with the specific properties of materials such as paper, wood, ceramics, glass, plastic or textiles as well as their processing. The design of industrial products and environmental protection issues in industrial manufacturing are also part of this field of study.

Offered courses

  • The study programs "Printing and Media Technology", "Paper Technology" and "Packaging Technology" are dedicated to the reproduction and typesetting, printing plates, printing processes as well as the production and processing of pulp and paper products and packaging (paper, cardboard, foils) including environmental aspects (Recycling).
  • Woodworking, processing into finished products such as furniture and the use of mainly the chemical wood industry has specialized in wood courses such as "wood technology", "wood engineering", "timber construction and construction" and "interior construction" produced.
  • In degree programs such as "Clothing Technology" and "Textile Technology", it deals with the processing of natural fibers and the production of man-made fibers, their further processing into yarns and textile surfaces including dyeing, finishing, equipment (confectionery) and textile machinery as well as the further processing of finished fabrics into home textiles. Day and nightwear, outerwear and technical textiles. In economically oriented courses such as "textile" or "clothing management", everything revolves around the organization of industrial manufacturing technology for textiles and clothing, the development of new working methods and the design of the product. There are overlaps in the areas of design / design as well as textile chemistry and materials or plastics engineering.
  • Degree courses such as "Plastics Engineering" and "Plastics and Elastomer Technology" deal with the production, processing and application of plastics (including the raw material rubber) and the machines and equipment used in the process.

Contents of the course

In the bachelor program "Print and Media Technology", modules teach the mathematical, statistical, scientific, design and business basic competences. In addition, there are module offers on common printing processes and media techniques, on machine elements, production planning and control, and materials as well as on the necessary foundations of computer science. In the further course, the knowledge of the technologies of the prepress, the printing and the pressure processing as well as in commercial-economic area deepened. There are also modules on occupational safety or foreign languages. A specialization in the Master's program can take place in specific industry segments or areas such as printing technology, print management, print & publishing or packaging technology.

The module offer in the course of study "Wood Technology" includes natural science and engineering as well as technical basics, forestry and wood economics basic and specialization subjects like e.g. Process engineering in the wood and wood-based panel industry, design and production technology, construction and calculations in furniture and wood structures, CNC technology, quality management, ecological questions in wood processing and business administration. Depending on the university's offer, fields of study and specializations such as plant automation, wood industry production, furniture construction / construction, forestry use and technology, wood biology or corporate management enable a specialization.

In study courses such as "textile technology" and "clothing technology", mathematical-scientific, technical and subject-specific fundamentals are imparted. These include modules such as: mathematics and technical drawing, physics, (textile) chemistry, statistics, information technology, materials and machines, textile raw materials, basics of textile production and refinement as well as basic business knowledge. In the further course of the study, the application-oriented consolidation will be carried out by means of modular offers on: automation technology, production control, CAD, security and plant engineering, fiber, weaving, mesh technology, composites, technical textiles, textile testing, chemical analysis, polymer chemistry, dyeing, textile printing, environmental analysis and management. Finally, content for product and process development and the consolidation of business knowledge in organization and marketing follow. In some cases, emphasis can be placed in areas such as textile management, garment management, textile technologies or product development.

Degree programs such as "Paper and Packaging Technology" or "Paper Technology" provide basic mathematical, scientific and in-depth engineering knowledge and skills in the field of mechanical engineering, process engineering, material and plant engineering for the paper and packaging industry.

The study of "plastics technology" begins with modules from mathematics, natural and engineering sciences as well as materials technology. Building on this, application-related modules convey knowledge of plastics, materials engineering and plastics processing as well as in the areas of polymer chemistry, metrology, thermal engineering, electrical and drive engineering, engineering mechanics, toolmaking. There are also non-technical modules such as business administration, quality management and project management. Depending on the university, the focus may be more on mechanical engineering and process engineering or on chemical engineering.

In study courses such as "Materials Engineering Glass and Ceramics" or "Ceramic Science and Engineering" a broad basic scientific education in mathematics, physics and inorganic or physical chemistry is taught. In addition, mineralogy, crystallography, ceramics, ceramic arithmetic, fundamentals of engineering and foreign languages are on the timetable.

In-depth opportunities exist in materials science, mechanical and thermal process engineering, measurement and control technology, glass and glazes, industrial design, silicate fine ceramics, building ceramics, structural and functional ceramics, refractory products and business management, recyclables recycling, quality assurance.

Admission criteria & course application

Depending on the university and degree program, the Fachhochschul- or the general university entrance qualification is sufficient for the application on the mostly admission-free study programs. In addition, some colleges conduct an internal university selection process.

Possible careers after graduation

Engineers of the printing technology work predominantly in printing houses, in the production of printing works, in the print finishing, in supplier companies, in the trade for the graphic arts industry, in enterprises of the mechanical / apparatus engineering (printing, bookbinding machines, reproductive devices etc.). However, since many contents are also available online, there has been a decline in companies and employees in the printing industry in recent years.

Woodworkers and engineers of wood technology work primarily in the woodworking industry, e.g. in the sawmill and planning industry, in plywood, wood fiber and chipboard plants, in the woodworking industry, e.g. in the manufacture of furniture, in the wood glue construction industry, in prefabricated house construction, in wood component, wood product manufacturing and in the chemical wood industry, e.g. in the manufacture of wood preservatives, wood varnishes and glues, in paper, board and pulp production. Further employment opportunities are offered by the timber trade, the construction industry, manufacturers of woodworking machinery and equipment, research and teaching, authorities and timber industry associations.

Textile and clothing engineers work in the apparel, textile and chemical fiber industries, as well as in the textile machinery and dye industry, but also in textile-related industries and user markets such as the automotive, aerospace and related industries (such as the development and production of car seat covers). There are also career opportunities in research and testing institutes as well as in commerce.

In addition to the ceramics and glass industry, materials engineers with an emphasis on ceramics and glass find employment wherever ceramic and glass components are used (e.g. traffic engineering, automotive, railway, aerospace, chemical industry, energy and environmental technology, etc.).