You will gain a great experience in learning all the instruments, procedures and technical aspects with the support of your tutor and colleagues of the Department.
Italdesign is expanding its activities in the field of robotics to diversify the services offered to customers and, at the same time, to further enhance the quality delivered to major automotive clients.
Among the services offered to the market is the production of prototypes, whose first manufacturing step involves installing hundreds of fasteners of various sizes onto the vehicle frame. These fasteners serve as critical mounting points for cables and other components, requiring extremely high positional accuracy. A robotic system will enable the company to fully automate this activity, increasing efficiency and minimizing human error.
Thesis Project
As thesis student, you will be supported by your Tutor to analyse and develop the following thesis project about the design of a modular robotic arm and its end-effectors to fully automatize the installation of fasteners on vehicle frames.
During the thesis project, the student will be required to carry out the following activities:
- Functional and environmental requirements analysis: study of the technical requirements; constraints on precision, repeatability, and robustness;
- Interpolated mobile base (7th axis): available models and layout compatibility;
- Collaborative robotic arm: degrees of freedom, payload, reach, end-effector compatibility;
- Modular end-effectors: welding systems, tool change, adaptability to pin types;
- Full system CAD layout;
- Mechanical interfaces between base, arm, and end-effector;
- Accessibility and footprint analysis on the production line;
- Power supply, cabling, safety systems;
- Compatibility with existing layout and automotive standards;
- Technical specifications of selected components;
- Engineering rationale for each choice;
- Procurement plan and estimated costs.
Requirements
Key requirements
- Passion and interest in robotics, automation, and automotive manufacturing;
- Strong teamwork attitude and ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary environments;
- Innovation-oriented mindset and curiosity toward emerging technologies;
- Responsibility and integrity;
- Good interpersonal and communicative skills;
- Flexible and hardworking;
- Good time management capability and proactivity;
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Preferential requirements
- Experience or coursework in robotics, mechatronics, or industrial automation;
- Interest in production engineering, assembly processes, and plant integration;
- Familiarity with robotic manipulators (collaborative or industrial), including payload, reach, and stiffness considerations;
- Basic understanding of end-effector design (mechanical interfaces, tool changers, modularity);
- Knowledge of precision handling or assembly processes (repeatability, tolerance chains, alignment strategies);
- Familiarity with industrial sensors (force/torque sensors, proximity sensors, vision systems);
- Basic knowledge of welding or fastening technologies used in automotive prototyping;
- Experience with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks) for mechanical layout and interface design.
Other Informations
Additional Information
Education: Attending a Master’s Degree in Mechanic or Mechatronics;
Language skills: Fluent knowledge of written and spoken Italian and English (at least B2 level);
Workplace: Moncalieri (TO), Italy;
Contract type: thesis project with estimated duration about 6 months;
Benefit: company canteen, multicultural environment.
Italdesign is committed to create an inclusive, diverse and safe workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer (L.903/77).
We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of the gender, ethnic, religion, sexual orientation, disability, parental status, or social origin.