Academic courses
July 29, 2024 2025-07-16 16:23Academic courses
Academic courses of the Manufacture of Furniture department
3D Computer Modelling and Engineering Analysis in Woodworking and Furniture Industry
At the dawn of the 21st Century in the context of the new management concept of “Concurrent Engineering,” the new non-linear design approach, known as a „Concurrent Engineering Design” based on 3D modelling, is necessitated. The 3D model is the driving force behind all engineering information.
The main objective of the course is to acquire the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the field of 3D computer modelling of objects from the woodworking and furniture industry, as well as deep knowledge and skills for engineering analysis – constructive calculations and simulations using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Students acquire knowledge and skills for: creating 3D models of elements and assembled units from woodworking and furniture industry (joints, skeletons and furniture constructions, elements and assembled units of woodworking machines); principle statement of the Finite Element Method, basic stages and structure of computer programs in the implementation of FEM, types of FEM engineering analyses, interpretation of the results obtained by computer simulation.
The subject is structured in two sections – “3D modelling” and “Engineering Analysis by FEM”.
Section “3D modelling” includes the basics of 3D modelling – types of 3D models, creating 3D models of lines, surfaces and solids as well as assembled units. Students are introduced to the methods and approaches for 3D computer modelling of objects – modelling with geometric features and geometric constraints of individual elements and assembled units with a CAD / CAE system, working with the system library, animation and video recording of 3D models.
Section “Engineering Analysis by FEM” is focused on: principle of FEM for engineering analysis, basics of simulation modelling by FEM, main stages and structure of computer programs for realization of FEM, types of engineering analyses by FEM using a CAD/CAE system, types of finite elements working with design scenarios and interpreting the results.
The applied part of the course includes mastering the work and application of a CAD/CAE systems for 3D modelling and analysis by the finite element method of objects in the woodworking and furniture industry according to different interests of students – 3D modelling and static (strength and deformation) FEM analysis of elements, joints, skeletons and structures of different types of furniture products or elements and assembled units of woodworking machines.
The course “3D object computer modelling and engineering analysis at WFI” will give students systematic knowledge, skills and habits about the approaches of 3D object modelling and their engineering analysis by the finite element method.
Knowledge of fundamental disciplines such as: Engineering Graphics, Geometry, Stereometry, Higher Mathematics, Material Science, Material Resistance, Furniture Construction, Calculations of Furniture, etc. is required when studying the course.
Lecturers:
Assoc. Prof. PhD Neli Nikolova Staneva
Adhesive and materials for protective and decorative coatings
Course”Adhesive and materials for protective and decorative coatings” is the specialty curriculum “Engineering Design” (Interior design and furniture). The status of this course is mandatory and is part ΙΙΙ of the direction “Material” for this specialty. In this aspect the discipline is closely linked to the subjects “Non-wood material in the interior”, “Wood material in interior”, “Wood knowledge”, which formed direction of “Material knowledge”.
The structure and the content of the topics of the course “Adhesives and materials type of protective-decorative coatings” are selected so as to refresh their knowledge of secondary school students to basic concepts of physical chemistry of inorganic and organic substances and to acquire a thorough knowledge in terms of adhesives and film forming materials used in furniture and other wood devices production, metals and silicates.
According to the curriculum lecture part of the curriculum was developed over 30 hours and also 30 hours laboratory. Moreover, it provides 3 hours of ongoing training practice- visits to the exhibition and retail outlets. To check the extent of absorption examination is conducted.
Lecturers:
Conservation of Products with Artistic and Historical Value
The discipline “Conservation of Products with Art and Historical Value” has the aim to acquire knowledge and skills connected with the conservation of products with art and historical value from timber: architectural objects, constructions and building elements, floor layerings, carved ceilings, polishes, works of art, sculptures, canvasses, figurines, icons, icon stands, museum artifacts, ethnographic and cult works, archeological objects, etc. Based on the common principles and theoretical works for conservation of products of timber with art and historical value are made concrete the requirements, specifics, technologies for preservation and restoration, the means and equipment for such an activity.
The discipline is connected with other ones from the specialized module number 3 in the specialty “Technology of Timber” MA degree, as well as such as: “Technology of Furniture”, “Hydrothermal Processing of Timber”, “Chemistry of Timber and Polymer materials”, “Furniture Construction”, “History of the Interior and Furniture”, “Timber Study” in the specialty “Technology of Timber”, BA degree.
Design of parking facilities from timber
Course “Design of parking facilities fro timber” is to design orientation. It will expand and deepen their knowledge and skill of student with complete “bachelor” education in the specialty “Engineering design”. The short lecture course taught specific requirements as to the park facilities and products of wood and requirements for materials and protective and decorative coatings, depending of their function. Students study the design of products and basic principles and formulas for sizing details and specific of the technology developed. The possibilities for different art and design solutions are looked at in their design. In the practical part of the course each student develops a project on an individual assignment, which defended by a public defense before the entire group of students. The course ends with the placement of continuous assessment.
Design of prefabricated buildings from timber
Course “Design of prefabricated buildings of wood” is to design orientation. It expand and deepen their knowledge and skill of students with complete “bachelor” education in the specialty “Wood technology” in terms of prefabricated wooden houses and structures within 30 hours of lecture and 30 hours exercises. It explains the trends and usage of prefabricated buildings and structures, requirements for materials and construction types for their construction. It studied different design schemes prefabricated buildings, methods for their design and sizing features in design of individual elements and how to join, and the technology for their production and installation. Thoroughly examine the various types of flooring, wall covering, suspended ceiling, stairs, porches, pergolas and other wood products are not part of split-wood prefabricated buildings.
The drafting of the students’ project is covered dimensioning of structure, protection from adverse factors, choice and features parquet flooring, stairs and finishes. It developed conceptual, art and drawings and technology for production of prefabricated building, cell volume or single module of prefabricated buildings. Determine the cost of materials up technological ma, and modes of treatment. The course ends with the presentation and protection of finished project by drawing 12-15 and 30 p text parts and an examination.
The training covers 50% of lecture and 50% of the part in exercises. In the part lecture provides basic guidelines for methodological features of design objects. Laboratory exercises are displayed in a room with personal computers, internet, overhead projector and video projector through which students perform most of their assigned tasks.
Drying economy
The subject ‘Drying economy’ in Woodworking and Furniture Production serves the first stage of the wood article production. It includes specific properties of the wood and the treating environment which influence on its qualitative drying, the mechanism of wood deformation and their limitation, technological process of the heating-moisture treatment, methods and machinery, technical and economic indicators, organization and management of the drying economy.
Lecturers:
Engineering Graphics
The main objective of the course is to acquire the necessary technical knowledge and skills for graphical presentation of objects from the interior and furniture industry. Students acquire knowledge and skills about: types of curves and surfaces, the mutual position of geometric objects, planar sections of geometric objects, the intersection of geometric objects with holes, mental representation of spatial shapes and elements, engineering representation of objects in one plane by the method of orthographic projection (Monge’s method), as well as in axonometry, principals of development and design of documentation, reading engineering drawings.
The course focuses on the method of parallel projection of objects: orthographic projection (first angle projection) of the basic elements of space – point, curve (algebraic, transcendental and helical curves) and plane. The course provides information about the classification of the axonometric projections as special attention is paid of the basic type of axonometric projections – isometric projection.
The intersection between a plane and different type of surfaces or solids, as well as the intersection of solids by the method of section planes are considered.
The course gives an extensive overview of the types of images (views, sections, exported element), conventions and simplifications in drawing, principles and graphical elements of dimensioning, types of threads and features for designing threads, annotation of standard threads.
Types of technical documents (graphic and text documents) and rules for drawing a detail and an assembly are considered: basics of projection of the standard threaded joints (bolt, screw and stud) and some type of indivisible joints. The features of drawing of a furniture product in assembly drawing are also discussed.
Knowledge of fundamental disciplines such as Algebra, Descriptive Geometry, Stereometry, Material Science, etc. is required when studying the course.
Lecturers:
Assoc. Prof. PhD Neli Nikolova Staneva
Furniture construction
The course is designed for training students in Bachelor’s grade of study from “Wood technology” line. Its given basic information about different furniture constructions and also project-work in furniture production.
Explains furniture classification and also users and producers requirements for them.
It’s paid attention on properties of fundamental materials and their mode of application in furniture constructions. Main joints between different structural furniture elements are considered, and also reasons, needed to be taken when choosing the right type of joints, their nature and behavior under load.
Principal furniture construction schemes and structure are studied – for seeping, for storage, for work and rest, for seating etc. Attention is paid to the functional and strength design of furniture.
Lecturers:
Furniture testing
This course is made for students in Master’s grade of study from “Engineering design” line. It’s given an additional knowledge in the field of testing and certification of furniture.
With expanding the knowledge of students in different test methods for furniture on various types of test machines, they are prepared to become highly-qualified specialists in design and production of serial and mass furniture and also for the realization of final quality control on finished furniture and their conditions certification.
Hydrothermal Processing of Timber
In the course “Hydrothermal Processing of Timber” the basic principles of the theory, technology, technics and practice of the protection, thermal processing, drying and conditioning of timber are studied with the aim to receive the most suitable properties of the timber materials used in practice. It is connected with the courses “Timber Study” and “Industrial Thermal Technology” included in the curriculum of the degree program.
Lecturers:
Manufacturing of furniture
The course in “Manufacture of furniture” covers topics and issues associated with obtaining basic knowledge and primary skills for recognizing drawings and constructions of mass-produced types of furniture. The course covered topics through which students are required to guide their furniture enterprises minimum of knowledge about how to perform the most commonly used operations and processes in developing the basic types of wood furniture. As part of ongoing classes students learn to draw or read (used) technological documentation of furniture. During the week-long educational practice they gain a visual notion about the structure, machinery and equipment in the furniture companies in the country.
Lecturers:
Materials and processes of gluing and for forming of Protective decorative Coatings
By studying this course aims to equip students with detail knowledge of problems associated with forming quality protective decorative coatings on furniture and other wood products. Attention is paid to both the process of applying liquid and powdered film forming compositions and structural transformations leading to hardening the coatings. Also are learned skills to obtain coatings with different colors and effects. It is envisaged that a detailed study of compatibility of components of components (coat, intermediate coat, top coat) of the film forming systems and properties of the finished coating. The utilization of such knowledge will enable future graduates to perform design copyright control over the implementation of their projects.
Lecturers:
Methods and Equipment for Protection and Modification of Timber
The course “Methods and Equipment for Protection and Modification of Timber” ensures the necessary knowledge and through exercising of the necessary skills in the field of methods for protection and modification of timber, the suitable equipment and technologies for finishing the protective and modified substances in timber. The course is connected with the information given in the course “Theoretical Bases for Modification and Protection of Timber”.
Model making and prototyping
In the course “model making and prototypes” is studied model and prototyping method as an innovative and indispensable element in the design and manufacture of furniture and wood products. Learned are techniques and technologies for production and presentation of models and prototypes. With models apply several options for materials and layout. Prototyping is a full-scale 1:1 selected furniture items and materials characteristic of the object. Students learn specific skills in the production of furniture components and complete products, such as models and prototypes. Learned are skills, computer simulation models and prototypes arranged in a real situation using specialized visualisation programs.
Lecturers:
Practice in furniture production
The course “Practice in furniture production” is a practical introduction for students of “Engineering Design”. It provides necessary initial knowledge of the subject. During the exercises in this course students gain practical knowledge and experience, learn and participate virtually and type of operations in the cycle that needs to go from raw material to manufacture of a part or end product. Acquainted and work with various woodworking machines and devices are realized. During these laboratory exercises, students come into direct contact with the treated materials, machines and tools, and ways of using them. The main objective is to acquire the minimum skills and experience they need for better absorption of the material taught in their overall training and practical work as professionals. In the exercises are included a number of specific issues and acquiring practical skills needed to work as designers for creating unique and unusual products, acquiring practical skills for working with layouts and prototyping to achieve decorative effects and more.
Lecturers:
Processes for forming protective decorative coatings
By studying this course aims to equip students with detail knowledge of problems associated with forming quality protective decorative coatings on furniture and other wood products. Attention is paid to both the process of applying liquid and powdered film forming compositions and structural transformations leading to hardening the coatings.Also are learned skills to obtain coatings with different colors and effects. It is envisaged that a detailed study of compatibility of components of components (coat, intermediate coat, top coat) of the film forming systems and properties of the finished coating. The utilization of such knowledge will enable future graduates to perform design copyright control over the implementation of their projects.
Lecturers:
Residential interior and furniture design
This course explains different topics in connection with various architectural objects typology, design developing and also different design methods for furnishing contemplation.
It’s paid attention on basic design stages during the synthesis of ideas about different products and interiors. Also it’s given information about interior space organization in individual functional areas and rooms in dwelling and also tendencies in design of residential interiors.
Lecturers:
Restoration and Conservation of Timber Furniture
The discipline “Restoration and Conservation of Timber Furniture” has the aim to acquire knowledge and skills connected with the restoration and conservation of furniture and other timber products: constructions and building elements, floor layerings and polishes, products of the applicable art, museum artifacts, etc. On the basis of the common principles and theoretical works for restoration and conservation of works of timber, the technologies for restoration, the means and equipment for such an activity are made concrete. Through the exercises are acquired some methods for diagnostics of the damages and restoration of concrete objects or separate elements of them.
The discipline is connected with other disciplines from the specialized module number 3 in the specialty “Technology of Timber”, MA degree as well as such as: “Technology of Furniture”, “Hydrothermal Processing of Timber”, “Chemistry of Timber and Polymer materials”, “Furniture Construction”, “History of the Interior and Furniture”, “Timber Study”, etc., in the specialty “Technology of Timber”, BA degree.
Serial and mass production furniture design
In lectures and practices students are introduced with different design concepts in this special topic – precisely serial and mass production.
It is thoroughly examined some problems, in connection with market and users requirements and manufactures resources for streamline construction schemes and unification of different elements and profiles.
In their projects students are looking for synthesis of functional requirements, structure and technique.
Lecturers:
Special production of wood products
Course “Special production of wood products” is designed for students from Bachelors grade of study in “Wood technology” line to acquire sufficient knowledge and skills on general characteristics, structures and technologies for the industrial manufacture of upholstered furniture, doors and windows of wood and wood products, prefabricated wood houses and facilities for outdoor playgrounds, made also of wood.
The course includes lectures, practical exercises for learning and teaching material development and maintaining of individual course work taught by each student. Individual course work includes material relating to the design and development in a shortened version of technical documentation for production for one of the curriculum products (upholstered furniture, door and window).
Lecturers:
Technical Documentation and Interchangeability in Furniture Industry
The course is designed for training students in Bachelor’s grade of study from “Wood and Furniture Technology” and „Computer technologies in the furniture industry” lines. It’s given basic information about the standard requirements for making, drawing up and completing of technical documentation, as well as the grounding of interchangeability under mechanical and wood-based products production. The methods of parallel (orthographic and axonometric) projection and graphical presentation of geometrical objects, the types of views and their annotation, the principles of dimensioning are acquired. The specific requirements for graphical presentation and dimensioning of treads and tread joints, as well as permanent joints are considered. The students are introduced in identifying, characterization and annotation of fits of mechanical and wood-based joints. The linear dimensions tolerances and deviations, geometrical tolerances and surface texture are considered. Special attention is paid to their indicating on drawings. So, the students acquire the uniform language of technics, understanding from specialists all over the world – the technical documentation, which will be necessary to acquire the other engineering subjects.
The course is structured in two sections – “Technical Documentation” and “Interchangeability”.
Section “Technical documentation” covers: standardized requirements for the development and formulation of technical documents; methods of rectangular projection and axonometry; types of images – views, sections and an exported element; principles of dimensioning, types of threads, threaded joints – bolt, stud and screw; types of technical documents – graphic and text documents; rules to development of drawing of a detail and assembly drawing; reading of assembly drawing.
Section ‘’Interchangeability’’ discusses the basics of geometric interchangeability: accuracy of linear dimensions; types of fits; accuracy of the shape; accuracy of surfaces and axes of details; roughness and waviness of the surfaces; ISO system for tolerances and fits of smooth elements and joints; system for tolerances and fits in the woodworking and furniture industry; tolerances and fits of bearing and key joints; linear chains.
Knowledge of fundamental disciplines such as: Geometry, Stereometry, Material Science, etc. is required when studying the course. The study of the course contributes to the overall preparation of the future specialists – engineers in “Wood and Furniture Technology” and “Computer technologies in the furniture industry”, Bachelor’s degree program.
Lecturers:
- Assoc. Prof. PhD Neli Nikolova Staneva
Technological design of Furniture Companies
The aim of the course is teaching students to acquire master the necessary minimum of knowledge of the nature, methods and techniques required in making technology part of the project plants for furniture manufacturing. In the course of preparing this course students develop a Course Project on “Development of technological part of a project of small or medium sized business furniture” in individual task assigned them by the teacher. The design includes the choice of base product, develop a shortened version of technical documentation for the same choice of machines and equipment and prepare a plan for their deployment in appropriately selected production facilities. There are also more jobs and design of other parts of the project and a brief description of the process in the enterprise. Acquired knowledge are necessary for future engineering graduates for their potential use in design offices, others involved in the design of new or upgrades or expansions of existing furniture enterprises, as well as in drafting and updating of technical documentation for furniture products. Laboratory exercises are displayed in a room with personal computers, through which students perform most of their assigned tasks.
Technologies of decorative maintaining of furniture
The educational course “Technology of Decorative treatment of Furniture” has the aim to meet the student masters with the existing and practical applicable technological possibilities for decorating and other type of decorating of furniture of higher class. That is achieved with lectures and classes of rare used materials, methods and technologies for making and/or attaching of made decorative elements to faces of furniture, the use of which ensures their originality or uniqueness and therefore their higher market price and competitiveness. By completing that course the masters expand and deepen in the area of technologies for industrial and unique production of furniture of wood and wooden materials.
Lecturers:
- Prof. PhD Dimitar Hristov Angelski
- Eng. Teodor Hristov Lulchev
Technology of furniture
Technology of furniture for degree program “Wood Technology”
The course “Technology of furniture” aims to provide the necessary foundational knowledge required to train engineering bachelor’s students in using modern methods of industrial production of wood furniture.
By completing the training course students acquire knowledge and skills in the following areas:
– The implementation of the standard operations for the manufacture of furniture parts and components, their surface finishing and assembly to obtain finished products;
– Selection method the appropriate equipment and tools, procedures and devices to perform these operations;
– Familiarization with the objects and methods of implementation of technology and quality control in production conditions;
– The preparation and use of technical documentation;
The course includes lectures, practical exercises, completion and review of taught lectures, including obtaining the skills set of machines and exercise control in the performance of technological operations. Develops and coursework in preparation of technical documentation. It is envisaged that participation in a one-week training practice.
Technology of the furniture has direct links with the following subjects:
– Construction of furniture;
– Woodworking machinery;
– Chemistry and polymer materials;
– Special production of wood products.
Technology of furniture for degree program “Engineering design”
The course “Technology of furniture” aims to provide the necessary foundational knowledge required to train engineering bachelor’s students in using modern methods of industrial production of wood furniture.
Completed a training course acquires knowledge and skills in the following areas:
– The implementation of the standard operations for the manufacture of furniture parts and components, their surface finishing and assembly to obtain finished products;
– Selection method the appropriate equipment and tools, procedures and devices to perform these operations;
– Familiarization with the objects and methods of implementation of technology and quality control in production conditions;
– The preparation and use of technical documentation;
The course includes lectures, practical exercises, completion and review of taught lectures, including obtaining the skills set of machines and exercise control in the performance of technological operations. Develops and coursework in preparation of technical documentation. It is envisaged that participation in a one-week training practice.
Technology of the furniture has direct links with the following subjects:
– Construction of furniture;
– Woodworking machinery;
– Chemistry and polymer materials;
– Special production of wood products.
Discipline is very useful for future designers to realize their ideas and make them available in real production. On the other hand, it allows designers to manage the process of preparing the furniture models and prototypes.
Lecturers:
Theoretical Basics for Modification and Protection of Timber
The discipline “Theoretical Bases for Modification and Protection of Timber” ensures the necessary theoretical knowledge and in a limited volume practical skill in the field of protection of timber from different unwanted influences from mechanical, physical-chemical and mostly biological character. Through lectures and seminars the necessary information is acquired, connected with the pests on timber in the process of processing, preservation in storehouses and its exploitation. These types of knowledge are necessary for the realization of the restoration activity of works of timber. In the discipline are integrated different methods for modification of timber with the aim of protection, improvement and keeping of new properties, necessary in the exploitation of timber products.
Wooden construction products in interior
Course “Wooden construction products in interior” aims to shape the students’ specialty “Engineering Design” (Interior and furniture design) knowledge and practical skill on the design, construction and production technology of this group wood products, called “building products”, which participate in the general arrangement of the interior space with furniture and products of industry, but have a specific design and many features in their manufacture. This is primarily intended for various doors and windows, wooden cladding to walls and ceilings, ladders maisonette apartments of different types involving wood and non wood materials, flooring, decorative columns, partition screens and railings, decorative beams, wall panels for prefabricated buildings, products for porches and balconies and more.
Studying the historical heritage of building and decorative design of the old wooden houses, students learn to create new art forms and solution for different timber building products. For practical utilization of knowledge in curriculum development provided by individual coursework assignment, the topic is chosen by students in advance provided an extensive list of design objects.
