Mission statement

The Institute of Machine Elements and Development Methodology (IME), with its research focus on Machine Components and Powertrain Engineering as well as Methods of Development and Systems Engineering, is positioned at the core of mechanical engineering.

We support the entire development process – from the initial idea to the validated solution – and comprehensively cover it with our broad portfolio of methods. Continuous knowledge transfer between the research areas ensures that new insights are immediately integrated into projects, teaching, and industrial practice, thereby creating sustainable added value for students and industry partners.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is a central guiding principle of our institute. As part of TU Graz, we operate in a strong, internationally connected environment and cooperate across disciplinary boundaries with partner universities and research institutes. Through joint projects and the application of state-of-the-art technologies – such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) – we continuously expand our expertise and actively shape the future of product development.

In teaching, our goal is to provide students with comprehensive education in the fields of machine elements, digital and model-based product development, and development methodology. We aim to foster an interdisciplinary and forward-looking understanding – from classical design and simulation to test bench experiments, as well as data-driven and AI-supported development approaches.

In addition to teaching and research, the institute maintains close collaborations with industrial partners and thus makes a significant contribution to knowledge transfer between academia and practice. Through these industrial collaborations, a strong integration of research and teaching is achieved, which is reflected in numerous bachelor’s and master’s theses, doctoral dissertations, and scientific publications.

© TU Graz/IME