Department of Mechanical and Precision Engineering

	Head of Department: Prof. Dimitar Andonov Dichev, DSc. Phone: +359 (0)66 827 360, +359 (0)66 827 273 E-mail: dichevd@abv.bg
	Academic organizer: Ivelina Dimitrova Dimitrova Room: 2419 Phone: +359 (0)66 827 206 E-mail: iveldi@tugab.bg

Brief Background

The Department of Mechanical and Precision Engineering is a successor to the Department of Precision Engineering which was founded in 1968. It was established by order N 2338/15.05.1968 of the then Minister of Education for the purpose of training students in Precision Engineering.

For well over forty years, the Department has marked a considerable progress within the structure of the Technical University of Gabrovo. Over these years the Department members have proved through their achievements how useful and necessary it is for the country to have available and well trained experts in the scientific trends of mechatronics, metrology and quality management, converters and measuring of physical and mechanical values, instrument engineering, precision mechanics, optical engineering, micro equipment and environmental engineering.

The first study plan (syllabus) for the degree course “Instrument Engineering” was developed in November 1968. In addition to the general technical and engineering training, it also included special training in the field of automation control in mechanical engineering and office equipment as top priority trends for “Instrument Engineering” in that period. Later on, some other disciplines such as optoelectronics, robotics, computer-aided design, vibration and noise diagnostics, laboratory devices, mechatronics, micro equipment plus other topical trends in fine mechanics and precision engineering were introduced.

In the period 1992 - 2011 The Department developed and perfected in the training in Mechanical and Precision Engineering.

In 1992 the Department acquired the status of a profiling unit for the degree course “Environmental Protection Engineering and Equipment”. In this context, it is worth mentioning the development of a series of disciplines, providing training in Environmental Control and Protection and particularly in Environmental Monitoring.

In 2011, in cooperation with universities and higher schools in Germany and the Czech Republic, a special programme for Mechatronics degree course was developed. It is consistent with the global trends in the most promising and innovative areas of engineering because it combines the methods of mechanics, electronics and computer information technologies for the purpose of creating a new generation of machines. Students acquire knowledge and skills in the field of mechanics, electronics, microprocessors, informatics and computer control, which are an integral part of machinery, equipment and systems in all areas of modern production ranging from office and household appliances to automobiles and medical equipment. The training in this degree course is based on a priority use of CAD/CAM/CAE and DAQ software, which allows a rapid adaptation of engineers to the requirements of the labour market at home and abroad. Third-year graduates get the opportunity to study for two semesters at the University of Applied Sciences Schmalkalden (Germany) and to obtain a German university diploma.

Until now the Department has certified over 2300 engineers in full- and part-time form of training.

Over the years Heads of Department were as follows: Assoc. Prof. Alexander Vrigazov, Prof Tsanko Nedev, Assoc, Prof. Emanuil Chichov, Assoc. Prof. Gancho Uzunov,  Prof. Petar Stoyanov, Assoc. Prof. Ilia Iliev, Prof. Svetoslav Simeonov, Assoc. Prof. Vasil Penev, Assoc. Prof. Docho Zheglov, Assoc. Prof. Simeon Petkov, Assoc. Prof. Dimitar Dichev.

At present, the Department team includes 16 people, of which 13 lecturers and three people supporting staff. The training process is carried out by two professors, six associate professors, three lecturers with PhD degrees and two assistant professors.

Department Staff

The Department is in charge of training in the following degree courses:

• „Mechatronics” – educational-qualification degrees of Bachelor and Master
• „Precision and Instrument Engineering” – educational-qualification degrees of Bachelor and Master
• „Environmental Protection Engineering and Technologies” – educational-qualification degrees of Bachelor and Master

The Department carries out training of Ph.D. students in the following scientific majors:

• 02.05.17 „Precision Instrument Engineering”
• 02.05.12 „Metrology and Metrological Equipment”
• 02.01.10 „Mechanical Engineering Technology” – along with Department МEEТ

Major Subjects:

Educational-qualification degree of BACHELOR:

Educational-qualification degree of MASTER:

Training Laboratories:

The Department laboratory base comprises 10 training laboratories, 7 offices for lecturers, a workshop and additional premises with total built-up area of 1200 sq. m located in the Bazhdar building.  All laboratories are equipped with instrumental microscopes; 3-coordinate measuring machine; electronic microscope; automatic dividing table;  computerized measuring systems for measurement of geometric and physical values; electronic, optical and pneumatic devices for measuring of linear and angular dimensions; systems for evaluation of roughness, waviness and deviations from original shape; weather station plus equipment and systems for environmental monitoring; devices for measuring temperature, pressure, mass, forces, velocity, vibrations, office and registration equipment, computer periphery; stands for examination of measuring transducers;  computer-aided system for technical design ; a telescope type BRESSER-OPTIK; night vision device YUKON-NVMT.

Research Interests of the Department Team:

• Design of fine mechanical elements and devices;
• Sensors in mechatronics;
• Technical diagnostics;
• Mechatronics;
• Metrology and quality management;
• Technical optics and optical devices;
• Technological processes in instrument and micro engineering;
• Office equipment.

Scientific and Technical Cooperation:

The Department keeps active contacts with related departments from universities both in Bulgaria and abroad – Germany, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Russia, Serbia, Macedonia, Turkey, Poland, Belorussia, England, Denmark, France, etc.

Significant Applied Research Developments:

• CAD of fine mechanical elements and gear transmissions in precision engineering;
• Range of stands for testing of assemblies and punches produced by Sparky Eltos AD - Lovech;
• Investigation of evolving cylindrical transmissions with asymmetric profile of teeth;
• Range of photoelectric raster and code converters;
• Ship inclination meter;
• Range of precision clutches.

Research Developments and Projects:

International:

• “European Industrial Standards” TEMPUS IB_JEP 13054-98;
• “Improvement of University Systems for Management of Quality of Training” - Contract № 38/2003 with the Centre for Competitive System for Training and Management of Higher Education funded by the World Bank ;
• “Education Effectiveness as Regarded by the Standards of the Labour Market” Contract ASO 2-23-2006.

The Department of Mechanical and Precision Engineering is a leading unit in terms of training in quality management, application of statistical methods and international standards for control systems. Contacts with business are sustained through “Bulgarian-German Institute in Quality Management and Industrial Management”, which was founded in 1999 by the German Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). Among the major projects implemented with the help of support programs are the following:

• “Certification of Software Companies” – Program for stimulation of economy  and employment initiated by the German-Bulgarian Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), 2000-2001;
• “Development and Introduction of Systems for Quality Management” Program for federal aid USAID, No:183-А-00-97-00015-00, FLAG/IESC (United States Corps for International Collaboration), 2001-2003;
• “ Development and Introduction of Systems for Measuring, Control and Improvement of Technological Processes” Programme BAS of ЕBRD. 2002-2005;
• “ Development of Systems for Management of Quality, Environment and Safety” under PHARE Programme of the EU - BG2004/016-711.11.04/ESC/G/GSC-1 and BG2005/017-353.10.04/ESC/G/GSC-2, „Raising Competitiveness of Bulgarian Enterprises”, 2008;
• “Development of Systems for Management of Environment and Safety” under Operational Programme (2007-2013) – Development of Bulgarian Economy Competitiveness, Priority 2 – Enhancement of Effectiveness of Enterprises and Development of Favourable Business Climate, Area of Intervention - 2.1. - „Improvement of Technologies and Management in Enterprises”, Operation - 2.1.2. – Procedure for offering free financial aid: 2007BG161PO003/2.1.2-01/2007 „Covering of Internationally Adopted standards”, 2009;
• “Investigation of Conventional Micro-Mechanical Components and Selection of New Materials within the Manufacturing Process Leading to Their Production“ Bulgarian-Ukrainian international project 9107-141/19.06.2006 (Ministry of Education-Bulgaria);
• “Total Quality Management and International Marketing”. TEMPUS project S-JEP 11027 – 95, Bulgarian Industrial association – coordinator for TU-Gabrovo.

National:

• “System for Provision and Management of Quality”, developed by TU-Gabrovo - Contract № І-3/2001 and Contract № І-3/2002  under the “Research” Fund of the Ministry of Education;
• “Development and Training in Adoption of Documents for the University System of Quality Management in Training”, Contract № 9/2005 between ТU-Gabrovo and South-Western University in Blagoevgrad;
• “Automated Processing of Questionnaires and Classification of Accumulated Information”, Contract № 10/17.05.2005 between ТU-Gabrovo and the University of Food Technologies – Plovdiv;
• “ Development and Training in Introduction of Papers for Management of Quality of Training”, Contract № 17/2005 between ТU-Gabrovo and the College for Postal Services and Communications – Sofia;
• “Module for Computer-aided Development, Visualization of Gear Cutting and Analysis of Technological Errors in Cylindrical Geer Wheels with Straight Teeth” М909/2009  (National Research Fund);
• “Computerized System “MICROSYS” for Design of Microelements and Their Manufacturing Processes” М912/2008 (National Research Fund);
• “Design and Investigation of Optical and Electromechanical Devices  М910/2009 (National Research Fund);
• “Investigation and Implementation of Cylindrical Helical Connectors for Joining Angular Converters” М911/2009 (National Research Fund);
• „Modeling of Extreme Small Module Type of Gear Transmissions with Asymmetric Profile of Teeth” M912/2009 (National Research Fund);
• “Investigation and Development of Integrated Systems for Monitoring of Navigational and Strength Quality of Ships” ВУ-ТН-112/2005 г. (National Research Fund).

Cooperation with Companies:

• АМК Drives and Controls - Gabrovo
• Optics AD - Panagurishte
• Opticoelectron Group АD -  Panagurishte
• Sparky Eltos АD - Lovech
• Zita ООD - Pleven
• ZGPU Group ООD - Gabrovo
• Megam ООD - Gabrovo
• Caproni АD - Kazanlak
• Impuls АD - Gabrovo
• Ehnaton ООD - Sofia
• SKF Bulgaria ЕООD - Sofia

Published Course Books and Teaching Aids: