Machines and Technologies in the Plastics Industry - Master

About the course

In 2020, a master's degree in “Machines and technologies in the plastics industry” was opened at the Department of Machine Elements and Non-Metallic Structures, to continue the training of masters of mechanical engineering in this field and to meet the growing demand for such specialists. The department has accumulated many years of experience (32 years since the opening of the specialty "Engineering and technology of non-metallic materials"), has a very good base and highly qualified teachers to continue the specialized training in the master's degree.

Why choose this specialty?

The polymer industry is related to intelligent mechanical engineering (Industry 4.0). The machines and technologies for the production of engineering products from polymer and composite materials are High Tech, and the development of nano- and 2D materials and technologies determines and will continue to determine the future of the entire IT industry and electronics.

The composite materials used today are over 50% in the latest civil aviation aircraft, over 90% in small and military aviation, and in some of the latest car brands. Automotive and aviation giants (BMW, Boeing, etc.) have already built their own plants for the production of composite elements in order to reduce the price, for use in mass vehicles and expand applications.

In recent years, there has been a significant growth of the polymer processing industry in Bulgaria as well. More and more Bulgarian companies produce polymer products and components for Western companies. The quality of their products is high and the trust in them is rising. Quite a number of world technological leaders have moved part of their production bases for polymer processing in Bulgaria. There are also many smaller companies for the production of plastic products (a large percentage of those defined as small and medium-sized businesses in mechanical engineering in our country). This whole industry suffers from a serious shortage of mechanical engineers, profiled in the machines and technologies for polymer engineering products.

What are the entry requirements?

This master's degree is intended for a wide range of specialists and can be applied for by graduates of the bachelor's and / or master's degree in all specialties in the field of 5. “Technical Sciences”, as well as professional fields 4.5 “Mathematics” and 4.6 “Informatics and computer science”.

What do you study?

The training in the master's degree “Machines and technologies in the plastics industry” is one year, together with the development and defense of a thesis. Students study polymer materials and composites based on them, machines and technologies for the production of products from these materials. The curriculum provides training in computer design, modeling and analysis of specific products and tools for obtaining them. Modern CAD / CAM / CAE software products (including the studied Autodesk Inventor) have specialized tools for designing polymer products. The Autodesk Moldflow simulation software allows for analysis and optimization of the products design, the choice of material, the process parameters and the service systems of the technological equipment in the production of plastic products. Additive technologies with polymeric materials are developing exponentially, the quality of the products is getting better and it is assumed that in a few years they will become widespread. The digital economy and Industry 4.0 are the leading trends today. Digital technologies are an integral part of the production of products from polymeric materials and composites and we are already talking about digital materials science. The teaching staff of the department strives to quickly master these innovative technologies, to apply them in their research and to transfer knowledge to students to keep up with the latest and most advanced technologies in the field of polymer engineering. In addition to the training and research laboratories for production, testing, control and diagnostics of non-metallic and composite materials and products, the department has three modern computer laboratories (SimensPLMLab, Autodesk Lab and “Ivaylo Kovachev”).

Opportunities for student mobility

Through the Erasmus+ program, diploma theses can be developed in companies such as Daimler-Chrysler, Brabus, etc., or to participate in international projects and exchange programs. Leading Bulgarian and foreign companies processing and trading in polymers are in constant contact with the department of Machine Elements and Non-Metallic Structures for the recruitment of new staff or specialized training of their engineering staff in the degree of “master” or “doctor”. Scholarships, internship opportunities and starting work are provided.

My career

Graduates of the specialty “Machines and technologies in the plastics industry” can have different creative careers as mechanical engineers: designers, technologists, consultants, entrepreneurs, freelancers, as well as within companies and corporations in all sectors of the economy, science and education. And this master's degree provides an opportunity to continue training to obtain an educational and scientific degree “Doctor”.