IRM23923 Product development (Autumn 2025)

Knowledge
The student

• can describe how the product development process can be conducted using methods and tools.
• has knowledge of means for sustainable choices in the product development process.
• possesses knowledge of digital tools for performing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analyses.
• can describe how to plan and manage a project.
• has knowledge of various tools for conveying ideas as a basis for targeted creative work.
• can describe different ways to organize production with respect to material flow.
• understands how to calculate moments, shear forces, axial forces, and displacements in statically determined and undetermined structures.
• knows key dimensioning methods to calculate loads on critical points in the structure.
• understands various types of stress and stress components, and how these are combined using different yield hypotheses.
• knows how to use digital tools to optimize components in terms of material usage and design.

Skills
The student

• can carry out a product development process using the knowledge and understanding acquired through the course.
• know how to apply digital tools to choose the most environmentally efficient concepts and extended use of the product.
• can demonstrate the ability to independently and critically apply knowledge in the subject and rely on their own judgments.
• can make informed decisions in the process of physical and digital modeling.
• can plan production using relevant methods and digital tools to determine whether a construction is statically determined or statically indeterminate and perform relevant calculations.
• can systematically solve dimensioning tasks for known structural elements using theories and digital tools.
• is able to size structures to achieve sufficient strength.
• can use yield hypotheses to calculate equivalent stresses and ensures that they are within an acceptable range.
• can use digital tools within the finite element method for the analysis of statically loaded structures.

General competence
The student

• has the ability to carry out a product development process using the knowledge and skills acquired through the course and solve challenges in product development.
• can handle the interpersonal and technological challenges that teamwork requires.
• has an understanding of beam mechanics and knowledge of calculation methods that form the basis for dimensioning programs.
• can analyze structures using theories and digital tools and finds optimal solutions based on specific criteria.
• has construction experience and knowledge as a basis for further studies and specialization in the field.

Product Development:

Lectures are combined with guidance and practical project work in groups.

Construction:

Lectures are combined with guidance and work on exercises and cases.

Product Development:

• Submitted project documentation at the project's (3) milestones.
• Oral presentation in a group

Construction:

• 4 exercises, of which 3 must be approved.

Required coursework are assessed with approved / not approved. Required coursework are only valid in the semester they are completed.

The course has two partial exams, each weighted 50%:

Part exam 1:

Written exam, individual. Duration: 3 hours. Grading scale: A-F.

Part exam 2:

Group assignment with final report for 2-4 candidates per group or by agreement with the course coordinator.
The grade is based on the final report, maximum 3500 words, unlimited illustrations.
Individual grades are given according to grading scale A-F.

Both partial exams must be passed in order to be graded in the course.
One overall grade is given in the subject according to grading rules A-F.