info@vspi.si

+386 65 556 479
Contact

Selected projects

menu
Ongoing Projects

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) participates as an external implementer in a project co-financed under the Incentives for Research and Development Projects NOO program. The project is led by the company Mlin KATIĆ d.o.o.

Project goal: the development of an environmentally friendly toy for pets made from secondary raw materials from the food sector.

Role of VŠPI:

  • Evaluation of project results from an environmental and cost perspective.
  • Support in minimizing negative environmental impacts.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) participates as an external implementer in a project co-financed by the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport. The project consortium includes 17 automotive companies.

Project goal: comprehensive development of products and services, new technological solutions, enhancement of existing knowledge, and development of new competencies in the field of weight reduction of electric and electrified road vehicles.

Role of VŠPI: participation in the development of aluminum forging technologies at UNIOR d.d.

Completed Projects

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was successful in the public call “Problem-Based Learning of Students in the Work Environment: Economy, Non-Economy, and Non-Profit Sector in the Local/Regional Environment 2024–2027” (PUŠ in the Work Environment 2024–2027).

Project duration: January 6, 2025 – May 31, 2025

Funding authority:
Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Project leader at VŠPI:
Assoc. Prof. Sebastjan Kotnik

Funding details:
The project was co-financed by the European Union (85%) and the national public contribution from the state budget (15%).

Project description

The project aimed to develop and produce a prototype open-source CNC milling machine. At the time, commercially available machines used proprietary software, which was paid and could not be modified by the user. The open-source CNC machine enabled users to make specific adjustments optimized for the requirements of individual projects. Development followed the guidelines of the German Association VDI-R 2221.

After a detailed status analysis, including market and competitor analysis, a design specification was created, forming the basis for developing the new machine. Based on this analysis, a conceptual solution and machine design were developed, followed by the creation of a 3D CAD model. A CAM-based LCA analysis was then performed to assess environmental impacts and explore possibilities for their reduction. The final goal was to produce a prototype, including operational programming and testing. In addition to technical tasks, the project included raising awareness and informing the public about project results and the collaboration between VŠPI and industry.

Through participation in the project, students acquired general and specific competencies, contributing to an easier entry into the labor market after graduation. Students engaged in practical activities, developing their professional and digital skills. Moreover, the project enhanced their entrepreneurial, environmental, and communication skills, which are essential in a modern work environment.

The project provided added value for both the industrial partner (economy) and the university teachers involved.

University teachers (academic mentors) transferred theoretical knowledge and academic approaches to the work environment, mainly in the following areas:

  • Use of advanced 3D modeling and NC code programming.
  • Use of numerical simulations for structural analysis during optimization of load-bearing structures of technical products. (At the time, not applied by EM-CE d.o.o.)
  • Use of LCA analyses to assess carbon footprint and other environmental impacts, which EM-CE d.o.o. expected future clients to request for supplied machines and equipment.
  • Detailed review of patent databases for applications and granted patents.

On the other hand, the work environment in the company provided direct exposure to real industrial challenges. Mentors from the company provided academic mentors with insights into practical challenges in developing mechatronic products (development in practice, collaboration with subcontractors and suppliers, prototype manufacturing, production logistics, legal aspects, and client interaction). This enabled the university to adapt educational content, making it more relevant and practice-oriented.

Through interaction with industry experts, academic mentors also identified missing or underdeveloped competencies in students, allowing the university to adjust curricula and lecture content, ensuring that students acquired the essential skills for successful professional work.

Work packages

The development process in the project was divided into 6 activities, each with clearly defined objectives:

  1. Requirements preparation for the open-source CNC milling machine:
    • Market and competitor analysis
    • Detailed patent review
    • Design specification according to VDI recommendations
  1. Conceptual solution development:
    • Analysis of conceptual solutions
    • Selection of the best conceptual solution
  1. Design of the CNC milling machine in a computer environment:
    • 3D CAD model of the milling machine
    • LCA analysis to assess environmental impacts
  1. Prototype production of the open-source CNC milling machine:
    • Workshop documentation for key components
    • Prototype assembly
    • Operational programming
    • Functional prototype
    • Cost calculation of the machine
  1. Prototype testing:
    • Test results report

Project participants

  • Academic mentors from VŠPI: Assoc. Prof. Sebastjan Kotnik and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gašper Gantar
  • Industry mentor: EM-CE d.o.o., Luče

Students participating in the project:

  • 5 students from the Modern Production Engineering program (VŠPI)
  • 2 students from the Environmental Protection and Ecotechnology program (Faculty of Environmental Protection)
  • 1 student from the Computer Science and Informatics program (Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana)
  • 1 student from the Master’s Accounting and Auditing program (Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana)

The project was co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Social Fund.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was successful in the call “Short-term and Long-term Visits of Foreign Experts and University Teachers at Slovenian Higher Education Institutions 2019–2021.” As part of the project, we hosted distinguished visiting lecturers from institutions in Denmark, India, China, and Croatia.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) acted as an external executor in the LIFE BioTHOP project, which was led by the Institute of Hop Research and Brewing of Slovenia (IHPS). The aim of the project was to implement biodegradable twine in hop fields and to use hop extract in new industrial products. VŠPI’s task was to evaluate the project results from an environmental and cost perspective and to support the minimization of negative environmental impacts.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company ETRA d.o.o. Within the project, the following were implemented:

  1. Development and implementation of a module supporting product development in the information system,
  2. Development and implementation of a project management module,
  3. Development and implementation of an ordering module, and
  4. Establishment of a documentation system to upgrade the HR module in the information system

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) acted as an external contractor in the LIFE CEPLAFIB project, which was led by the Development Center for Toolmaking of Slovenia (TECOS). The project aimed to process waste plastic packaging and newspaper into recycled composite materials for the production of products in the packaging, automotive, and construction sectors. VŠPI’s task was to evaluate the project results from an environmental perspective and to support the minimization of negative environmental impacts.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company NIOR d.o.o. Within the project, the following activities were implemented: 1) Development of an information system and partial digitalization of operations, 2) implementation of comprehensive machine maintenance, and 3) introduction of lean production elements.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) acted as an external partner in the RRP2 SMARTWIRE project, which was carried out by the companies Peter Jelenko and Žična kovina d.o.o. The goal of the project was the development of a machine for automatic weaving of wire products. VŠPI’s role was to support the development of key components and to assess the project results from an environmental perspective.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) acted as an external partner in the RRP2 SMHC project, which was carried out by the company Štore Steel d.o.o. The goal of the project was the production of steels with improved machinability. VŠPI’s role was to assess the project results from an environmental perspective and to support the minimization of negative environmental impacts.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was a member of the consortium that was successful in the public tender “Public Call for (Co)Funding of Research Projects for 2017”. The subject of the public tender was the funding of activities related to the development of an integrated model of transport and warehouse processes to increase the efficiency of the intralogistics system.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company OGK-ING Engineering and Services Ltd.. Within the project, the optimization of the company’s operations was implemented in the following areas: digitalization of business processes, implementation of a system for assessing and evaluating work efficiency at the level of assembly teams, introduction of a salary system with performance-based incentives, optimization of work planning and management procedures, and the introduction of lean business elements.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company Žična Kovina Ltd.. Within the project, the optimization of the company’s operations was implemented in the following areas: digitalization, optimal arrangement of workplaces and equipment, introduction of lean production elements, implementation of a CRM system, and establishment of comprehensive maintenance.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was successful in the call for Short and Long-Term Visits of Foreign Experts and University Teachers at Slovenian Higher Education Institutions in the years 2016–2018. Within the project, five top visiting lecturers from institutions in Serbia, Croatia, India, and Germany were hosted.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company Ograje Kočevar d.o.o. Within the project, the company’s operations were optimized in the following areas: optimization of material flow in production, organization of workstations in production, implementation of a system for monitoring key business indicators (business reporting), and introduction of other lean methods.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company DIFA d.o.o. Within the project, the company’s operations were optimized in the following areas: pilot implementation of the 5S method, pilot implementation of the TPM method, and support for the implementation of the MES system.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) carried out a research project for the company IMAS d.o.o. The project results included an analysis of the existing business operations, organization of the main business processes according to lean management principles, and implementation of a comprehensive ERP/MES business solution, which digitalized operations and increased efficiency.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was successful in the public call “Public Call for Promoting the Employability of Young Doctors of Science in 2015”, published by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS). The subject of the call was co-financing the labor costs of a young doctor of science for implementing a work program in the field of determining forming properties of sheet metal and developing new manufacturing technologies.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) acted as an external executor in the project “Creative Core of VŠPI”, which was approved under the Operational Programme for Strengthening Regional Development Potentials for the Period 2007–2013. The aim of the project was to establish new creative cores operating within research organizations. The tasks of VŠPI included reviewing the potential of bio-polymer materials from an environmental perspective for various product families and different waste management options, conducting a detailed analysis of environmental burdens associated with different waste management processes for biodegradable polymer materials, and performing a comparative analysis with waste management processes for conventional polymer materials.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) successfully completed a major two-year industrial research project for the company DIFA d.o.o. The project examined and tested various options for improving the quality of castings by modifying the temperature control system (tool tempering) of the die-casting mold. Based on the results of numerical simulations, we identified critical areas in the tool and assessed the changes in the temperature field achievable through various innovative tool tempering solutions. After modifying the tempering system in the mold for producing complex castings, the defect rate decreased by 99% and the carbon footprint associated with the production of the evaluated products was reduced by 73%.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) successfully completed a major two-year industrial research project for the company Gorenje Orodjarna d.o.o. Within the project, a thorough review of existing solutions in the field of sheet metal forming (TRB) was conducted. Using the developed numerical models, we were able to reliably predict the forming processes of sheet metal (including final shape, thinning, and deformation states). We are proud to have contributed to the development of the first dedicated forming tool for sheet metal processing in Slovenia.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was a member of a consortium that was successful in the public call “Public Call in Support of the National Innovation System for 2013 and 2014.” The subject of the call was the financing of activities of support organizations, which had the key task of promoting and strengthening innovations for the market, including the introduction of new products, processes, and services, as well as technological and non-technological innovations in companies in the private sector in the Republic of Slovenia.

The College of Industrial Engineering (VŠPI) was successful in the public call “Public Call for Co-financing the Involvement of Visiting Higher Education Teachers in the Pedagogical Process in 2011–2013,” which was implemented within the framework of the Operational Programme for Human Resources Development for 2007–2013, development priority 3: “Development of Human Resources and Lifelong Learning,” priority axis 3.3: “Quality, Competitiveness, and Responsiveness of Higher Education” (Public call of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 45/2011, dated 10 June 2011).

Iskalnik vsebine

email

info@vspi.si

telephone

+386 65 556 479