Ramón van Dooren

A project starts with understanding the problem. I work out what the system has to do and turn that into requirements with numbers attached: loads, speeds, accuracy, environment and cost. I then describe the system as a black box, with its inputs, its required outputs and the variables that decide the result. Where a number is missing, I measure it.

• Requirements analysis
• Function analysis and black-box modelling
• Measurement systems and sensor technology
• Dimensional metrology
• Machine vision in MVTec HALCON
• Deep-learning anomaly detection

I work a design out by hand first, with analytical calculations that size the parts and narrow down the concepts. What survives goes into simulation: multiphysics FEA where several physical effects interact, and structural FEA for stress and stiffness. I choose materials on their properties, using material indices, and I print prototypes early to see whether the parts fit and work.

• Analytical calculations and sizing
• Multiphysics FEA in COMSOL
• Structural FEA in Siemens NX
• Electromagnet and actuator design
• Vibration analysis
• Materials selection in Ansys Granta (Ashby method)
• Rapid prototyping (SLA 3D printing)
• MATLAB and Python for analysis

I turn the chosen concept into a complete 3D model and a production dossier: assembly and part drawings with dimensional and geometric tolerances (GD&T), bills of materials, and standard components picked from the catalogue. I design each part for the process that will make it, so the model goes from CAD into CAM and onto the machine.

• Creo Parametric: 3D CAD and production drawings
• SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360
• Geometric tolerancing to ISO GPS (ISO 1101)
• Design for manufacturing and production dossiers
• Bearing and machine component selection
• CAM in Creo, CNC programming in CIMCO
• Multi-axis motion synchronisation in G-code
• Electric drives and robotics

A system is finished when the measured result matches the model. I build it, test it against the requirements from the first stage, and compare the measurements with the calculations and simulations. Where they disagree I find the cause and optimise the design, then run the loop again. I also write the control and test software, so every test can be repeated the same way.

• Verification and validation against requirements
• Test results compared with simulation
• Design optimisation
• Feedback and control systems
• Python instrument control (SCPI, PyVISA)
• PLC programming in Siemens TIA Portal (basic)
• Git, TypeScript, Rust
• Agentic AI workflows