At the invitation of Prof. Dr. Brast, a group of pupils accompanied by Ms. Demming visited the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences in Bocholt on 12.2.2025 to promote in-depth study orientation in the STEM field. They were able to take part in a workshop on the industrial engineering course at the Bocholt campus and immerse themselves in the working world of an industrial engineer for a day.
In the first part (the technical part) of the workshop, the students were introduced to the main functions of the NX software, in particular the CAD part, which stands for Computer Aided Design. The task was now to design a 3D model for a cup and then the somewhat more sophisticated 3D model of a bottle opener. Everyone was allowed to decorate and personalize their bottle opener according to their own ideas.
This highlight was immediately followed by the next. The first step was to find out which production process is best suited to the manufacture of bottle openers. This took us to the water jet cutting machine, where we were able to experience the production of a bottle opener up close. In the final production step, our bottle openers were laser engraved with our motifs. It was finished, our own bottle opener - what an experience!
We continued with an entertaining and interesting tour of the Westfälische Hochschule. At lunchtime, we were invited to feast in the university's own canteen.
The second part of the workshop followed after the lunch break: the aim was to market the bottle opener profitably. In this business management part, the students slipped into the role of the management. With the help of a vivid and exciting business game, they learned about basic business contexts and discussed possible optimization approaches. They then had to make profitable or optimizing decisions and implement them in the business game. The decisions made by the young industrial engineers-to-be were successful thanks to the experienced advice and support of Mr. Langner, who coached the group as a research assistant. The enthusiasm was correspondingly great, the "company" in the business game had tripled its profits - what a success! At the end of the workshop, all participants received a certificate from Westfälische Hochschule.
On the way back, everyone agreed that it was a feel-good university with very friendly staff who gave us an unforgettably informative, exciting and vivid insight into the everyday working life of an industrial engineer. Thank you very much for that! We would also like to thank the Business Development Agency for the Borken district! (Dmg)