Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Students from three SPbPU higher education institutions, under the guidance of scientists and experts from the Scientific and Production Association "North-West Regional Center of the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern – Obukhov Plant," are working on a comprehensive solution for robotizing the manufacturing of microwave components.
The company commissioned a final qualifying work (FQW) of special status—"Project as a FQW"—on the topic: "Technological process for manufacturing rectangular microwave waveguides of complex shapes and automated (robotic) means for its implementation." The goal of the work was not only to provide a scientific justification but also to develop a concept for a robotic system designed to eliminate manual labor from high-precision production.
An interdisciplinary team of Polytechnic University undergraduate students, specifically formed in accordance with a competency model approved by the university expert committee, is working on solving the problem. Each participant contributes to the overall goal within their own professional field. Victoria Mamieva, a student at the Higher School of Physics and Technology of Materials (HSPM) (Materials Science and Technology, Computer Engineering in Materials Science major), is responsible for developing recommendations for the optimal selection of materials to improve signal transmission quality and analyzing the impact of defects on product performance. Nika Kolomiychenko, a student at the Higher School of Automation and Robotics (HSAR) (Mechatronics and Robotics major, Design and Construction of Mechatronic Modules and Robotic Mechanisms major), is responsible for analyzing existing automation solutions and developing recommendations for robotic process automation.
Pavel Medvedev, a student at the Higher School of Computer Technology and Information Systems (VShKTIIS) (major in Systems Analysis and Management, specializing in Theory and Mathematical Methods of Systems Analysis and Management in Technical, Economic, and Social Systems), is analyzing manufacturing processes and developing a mathematical model for system optimization.
The project is supervised by mentors from the university and the client company. The final work supervisors from SPbPU are: Director of the Higher School of Physics and Technology (HSFTM) Sergey Ganin, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Architecture and Radio Engineering (HSAIR) Mikhail Ananyevsky, and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Technology and Information Systems (HSKTIIS) Sergey Khlopin.
On behalf of the Almaz-Antey Concern, the project is supervised by Sergei Baushev, Head of the Scientific and Educational Center and Doctor of Military Sciences, as a consultant to the entire team.
For our company, it's crucial not only to obtain ready-made engineering solutions but also to develop a talent pool with the necessary competencies. This project is a model for advanced training. Polytechnic students are immersed in real-world technological challenges, working on a specific task of robotic automation in production. We, for our part, ensured the team's maximum immersion in the production environment by providing access to data and the expertise of our best engineers. I am confident that this symbiosis of science, education, and practice is the most effective path to creating breakthrough technologies and cultivating the country's engineering elite," emphasizes Sergey Valentinovich.
The project's uniqueness lies in the fact that, in addition to traditional scientific guidance, the company, at its initiative, appointed a technical consultant directly from the engineering department to deepen the practical component: Alexey Lapin, Deputy Head of the Engineering Solutions and CNC Equipment Department at JSC Obukhovsky Plant.
An industrial consultant plays an active role in project implementation. They provide the team with up-to-date data and company materials, ensuring they work with real, not hypothetical, technical requirements and conditions. They provide expert advice at all stages of design and development, and evaluate proposed solutions for their applicability, economic feasibility, and integration into existing business processes.
This collaboration format is a model for effective partnership, where students gain experience working on real-world engineering problems in an interdisciplinary team under the guidance of university faculty and leading industry practitioners. The university strengthens its ties with industry, updates its curricula, and demonstrates the social impact of its research through complex projects. The company also invests in training future professionals, gaining access to fresh ideas and potential solutions to its technological challenges, and developing future specialists tailored to its needs.
This project is the quintessence of the Polytechnic University's philosophy: "Industry in the classroom." We don't simulate abstract situations, but rather take on a complex challenge from one of the country's leading enterprises. An interdisciplinary team from three higher education institutions teaches students to speak a common technical language, view a problem from multiple perspectives, and take responsibility for their part in the overall outcome. "For us as a university, this format provides invaluable feedback from industry, allowing us to continuously improve our educational programs and train specialists in demand in the labor market," notes Olga Matsko, the university's project manager and director of the Higher School of Automation and Robotics.
The collaboration between SPbPU and the Almaz-Antey Concern is a clear example of how the boundaries between academic science and high-tech manufacturing are blurring. It's an investment in the future of Russian engineering, where theory meets practice while students are still students, and yesterday's students can become tomorrow's creators of breakthrough solutions for leading Russian industries.
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