JU and AC Floby to collaborate in new training programme

Automotive Components Floby (AC Floby External link, opens in new window.), a leading Swedish provider of parts for the global automotive industry, has launched a programme that will provide practical industry experience to engineering students from Jönköping University (JU) as they write their final theses.

From March, six students from the School of Engineering's Product development and materials engineering master's programme will work at the AC Floby's headquarters in Floby as part of their final theses. They will undertake practical employment in the casting of aluminium brake discs, working on the theory that new, lightweight components are essential to the vehicles of the future.

The programme marks a deepening of the collaboration that has existed between the two organisations over many years. AC Floby has previously worked closely on joint research projects with JU, but this is the first time it has opened its doors to master's students working on new innovations in the automotive industry.

Professor of Materials and Manufacturing, Anders Jarfors, believes that this type of collaboration is vital as the automotive industry moves towards electrification, with energy efficiency at the forefront of global R&D.

“The transformation of the transport industry is well underway, and it is critical that innovation helps drive sustainability,” said Anders Jarfors. “Having an experienced and determined partner like AC Floby is a blessing for the research we are doing as it allows our students to stay abreast of the practical side of manufacturing, and provides real insight into the industrial application of our theoretical work.”

Project organiser, Dr. Samuel Awe - Senior Metallurgical Engineer R&D at AC Floby and a JU alumnus - believes collaborations like this are mutually beneficial.

“We have the machines needed to carry out the student theories,” said Dr. Awe. “We have a welcoming and open-minded corporate culture, so our door is always open to driven and dedicated students and engineers based in Sweden and beyond. By sharing ideas and pooling our resources, organisations like JU and AC Floby can play an important part in this new era of automotive innovation for private and commercial vehicles.”