Academic courses
July 29, 2024 2025-07-17 17:17Academic courses
Academic courses in the Woodworking machines department
Air Cleaning Devices in Woodworking and Furniture Industry
The aim of the course is to acquire knowledge in the design, installation and operation of devices for air cleaning (DAC) used in woodworking and furniture enterprises in the assembly of pneumatic-transport systems. Students will acquire basic theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for a career in the field of operation of pneumatic transport, aspiration and ventilation systems and equipment. Students learn in lectures basic ways and resources for air cleaning of the waste air of aspiration and ventilation systems and possibility of disposal into the atmosphere or re-recycling in the workrooms. They will get acquainted with norms in the ventilation system, the basic requirements to the parameters of the microclimate, requirements and emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Application of Lasers in Woodworking and Furniture Industry
This course is designed for students of “Wood Technology”, Master’s degree, specialized module “Woodworking Machinery and Equipment”. Through it, students will get basic knowledge and practical skills on the use of lasers in woodworking and furniture industry (WWFI). The course examines the possibilities of using different types of lasers and processing systems in such areas of WWFI as: measuring the shape and volume of logs; positioning of materials which are subject to processing; outlining the path of the cutting tool; installation of machines and lines; measure the straightness of the aggregates and their movement; cutting, surface treatment and marking of wood and wood-based materials; measuring the dimensions of the materials, determining the quality of the surfaces and the existence of defects; 3 D laser scanning for CAD/CAM systems and CNC machining; drilling holes in the timber for impregnation; measuring dust in production facilities and pipelines, cutting upholstery materials; teeth hardening of the wood cutting tools and cutting teeth of circular saws.
Lecturers:
Automatics and Automation of the Woodworking and Furniture Industry
The course “Automatics and automation of the woodworking and furniture industry” covers topics and issues ensuring minimum necessary theoretical and practical knowledge on fundamental issues of design and implementation of automatic systems for control and management of technological objects and processes in the forestry industry. The course has a scientific and practical purpose for building the skills necessary for orientation in the existing large variety of topics and for using of the contemporary systems for the automation of the production. For better assimilation of the knowledge and skills, the course content has been divided into topics and sub-topics and combines lectures, lab exercises, and individual work by the students necessary to document these exercises. During a one week complex study practice, they acquire a clear understanding of the systems for automation of the different technological sites with which most furniture and wood processing factories are equipped.
Lecturers:
Automation
The course “Automation” covers topics and issues ensuring minimum necessary theoretical and practical knowledge on fundamental issues of design and implementation of automatic systems for control and management of technological objects and processes in the forestry industry. The course has a scientific and practical purpose for building the skills necessary for orientation in the existing large variety of topics and for evaluation of the contemporary systems for automation of the production in the forestry industry. For better assimilation of the knowledge and skills, the course content has been divided into topics and sub-topics and combines lectures, lab exercises, and individual work by the students necessary to document these exercises. During a one week complex study practice, they acquire a clear understanding of the systems for automation of the different technological sites with which most furniture and wood-making factories are equipped.
Lecturers:
CNC Machines, Tools and Technologies
The course is a major part of the training program for the training of engineers for companies in the furniture industry, meeting the technological innovations, united by the concept of “Industry 4.0”. Through this course students will gain basic theoretical and practical knowledge and basic personal skills in the use of CNC machines and technologies. Students will know the design features and functional mechanisms of CNC machines, the theoretical foundations and practical methods of programming. The purpose of the laboratory exercises is for students to consolidate the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures, to acquire practical habits for proper operation, programming and work with CNC machines, such as milling drilling center “Rover A 3.30”, CO2 laser machine – K40, 3D coordinate cutter (CNC Router), CNC router Shaper and others.
Lecturers:
CNC Tools and Processes
The discipline is fundamental for the training of engineers for companies in the furniture industry responding to technological innovations, united by the concept of “Industry 4.0”. Through this course students will gain knowledge about the tools used in CNC machines and woodworking processes and wood-based materials, will be able to correctly select appropriate cutting tools and cutting modes for specific operations, store and maintain cutting tools. The purpose of the laboratory exercises is for students to consolidate the theoretical knowledge gained during the lectures, to acquire habits for solving practical problems in the field of CNC tools, the principles of cutting, the influence of the direction of wood fibers and the type of composite materials. of cutting and the quality of processing, to justify the advantages of tools with inverted cutting inserts, to correctly choose suitable cutting tools for specific operations, etc.
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Computer Sizing and Simulation Processes
The main goal of the course is for students to acquire the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the field of sizing and engineering analysis of mechanisms and gears of woodworking machines and furniture structures and their elements in the most common operating loads – structural calculations and simulations by the method of. finite elements (FEM) with modern CAD / CAE programs. Students gain knowledge and skills for creating 3D models of elements and assembled units in the furniture industry, for power, kinematic, dynamic, strength, deformation, etc. calculations, the stages of conducting linear static and dynamic analysis of individual structural elements and assembled units of the furniture industry with the help of specialized software.
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Conveyer Applications in Woodworking
This course provides fundamental theoretical knowledge on conveyor applications in the field of woodworking and furniture industry. Students will be introduced to different conveyor types. Particular attention is paid to the organization and synchronization of conveyor devices handling and the mechanization and automation of control and management.
This course is designed for students in “Wood Technology”, degree “Master”.
Cutting of Wood and Woodworking Tools
The first part of the tuition course covers the basic concepts of the cutting process, the main linear and angular teeth parameters of the woodworking tools, the process of chips formation and chip geometry, kinematics and dynamics of the cutting process and the interaction of the cutting part tools with workpiece as well. The various factors affecting on the cutting process also consider. They can be grouped in three main groups – factors arising from the workpiece; factors relating to the cutting tool; factors characterizing the cutting process.
In the second part of the tuition course are considered various types of woodworking tools – classification, structure, basic requirements and the materials for their production as well. Any types of tool are studied with its angular and linear parameters and its application, preparation and sharpening.
The course “Cutting of wood and woodworking tools” is intended for students of Faculty of Forest Industry (FFI), in specialty “Wood technology”. It lasts two semesters of study (second semester of the I-st course and the first semester of the II-nd course).
The lectures in “Cutting of wood and woodworking tools” are conducted by Associate Professor Eng. Zivko Gochev, Ph.D. He is Head of the Department “Woodworking machines” as well.
Practicals in “Cutting of wood and woodworking tools” are held in a specially equipped laboratory (UF, Build. A ground floor – Lab. 14th). The laboratory has samples of all types of tools, machines for measuring the hardness of metals (Rockwell and Brinell); devices for measuring the noise, vibrations, wood humidity; equipment for measuring the roughness of the wood parts and cutting tools, machine for welding of band saw blades, universal machine for woodworking tools sharpening. The laboratory is equipped with specialized techniques technics for design, maintenance and preparation of instruments and equipment for installation and setup of cutters.
The practicals exercises in “Cutting of wood and woodworking tools” are conducted by Assistant Professor Eng. Pavlin Vitchev, Ph.D.
Lecturers:
Design and Testing of Pneumatic Transport and Air Cleaning Devices
The course is part of the master’s program “Technology of wood and furniture”, we choose the module “Woodworking machines and equipment”. It aims to provide students with knowledge in the field of design and testing of pneumatic transport systems in woodworking and furniture companies. After the course the students will be realized in furniture companies and companies manufacturers and distributors of machines and equipment. In this way the needs of the companies from the practice for the need of highly qualified personnel in the respective field will be answered. The course deals with issues related to the capture and transportation of shredded wood or other small waste obtained during the implementation of technological operations in the woodworking and furniture industries. Students get acquainted with the parameters and features of different types of pneumatic transport and ventilation systems, the elements that make them up, the requirements they must meet, their testing and adjustment. The ways and means for maintaining the parameters of the microclimate in the production room in accordance with the requirements of the sanitary norms and the purification of the exhaust air in accordance with the norms for environmental protection in the modern woodworking and furniture enterprises are studied.
Design and Testing of Woodworking Machines
The course enables the students to master the theoretical foundations of the calculation and design of machines, automats and automated lines in the conditions of woodworking. The modern methods for design of the machines, the principles of calculation, and the modern methods of constructing their typical elements are considered. Attention is also paid to the economic side of the estimation and rational design of the machines and their elements.
Lecturers:
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
The course “Electrical Engineering and Electronics” covers topics ensuring the minimum necessary theoretical and practical knowledge on fundamental issues of the structure and functional principles of electrical machines and electronic elements, which are used in the woodworking and furniture industry and in the automatic systems for control and management of technological objects and processes. The course has a scientific and practical purpose for building the skills necessary for orientation in the existing large variety of contemporary electrical machine and circuits, and electronic elements, used in the industry. For better assimilation of the knowledge and skills, the course content has been divided into topics and sub-topics and combines lectures, lab exercises, and individual work by the students necessary to document these exercises. The aim of the laboratory exercises is to consolidate the theoretical knowledge obtained during lectures and read in the specialized literature. Students should acquire skills to solve practical issues connected with dimensioning of different electrical and electronic circuits, elements and devices.
Lecturers:
Heating and Ventilation
The course acquaints the students with issues related to heating, ventilation and air conditioning working environment in the woodworking and furniture enterprises. The parameters of the air environment in the work area, as well as in connection with sanitary and hygienic norms to create a comfortable environment in this area, and in conjunction with the normal flow of the process considered. The basic ways and means and facilities to maintain the parameters of air environment found are studied wide application in modern woodworking and furniture enterprises are found. Students should acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the methodology for calculating different types of installations, determining the balance of air and hazards in workplaces and evaluation of individual ways and means to maintain comfortable working conditions.
Industrial Heat Engineering
The main goal of the education in the discipline “Industrial Heat Engineering” is to put the students in the analysis of the thermal phenomena which accompany the running technological processes in the woodworking and furniture industry. Within the bounds of the fixed 30 lecture hours two principal sections – “Technical Thermodynamics” and “Heat Transfer”, are provided.
The main objective of the course is to build a set of knowledges and practical skills necessary for independent decision-making at the work with thermal machines and equipment used in the woodworking and furniture industry. A special attention is given to the problem of the intensifying of the heat exchange processes and the energy efficiency of the technological units, where they are implemented.
Industrial Robots and Manipulators
The course aims to give students basic knowledge related to the main types of robots (manipulation, mobile, assembly, maintenance, etc.), with the typical areas and features of their application, as well as the acquisition of practical skills in their use. Students get acquainted with modern methods for analysis of kinematics and dynamics and the basic systems of robots and manipulators, such as gripping, driving and control systems and sensor systems in robotics.
The content of the course is structured in three main sections: Fundamentals of industrial robots and manipulators; Kinematics and dynamics of industrial robots and manipulators; Sensors and control of industrial robots and manipulators.
Lecturers:
Industrial Transport
This course focuses on the complex mechanization of transport operations. Areas covered include different types of hoisting machines, transporting machines, as well as issues related to working environment protection and environmental protection against dust and other contaminants.
This course is designed for students in “Business Management”, Bachelor’s degree program.
Lecturers:
Installation of Woodworking Machines
The course is designed to expand the knowledge and obtain practical skills for installation and commissioning of woodworking machines and equipment.
The course examines the principles of engine seating and vibration insulation, technology installation, checking the technical condition and the initial starting conditions for identifying indicators of reliability, maintainability and durability. Special attention is paid to the study, supply and mutual obligations in the period from delivery to commissioning.
Interior Acoustics
This course provides students with the fundamental concepts of acoustics and terminology including: acoustic field; acoustic wave; wave propagation – sound pressure level, frequency, intensity etc. Topics covered include the main acoustic processes: radiation, reception, fluctuation, sound wave interference; the behavior of sound in an enclosed space: reverberation, equivalent sound damping surface…. etc. Students will learn about noise absorbing and noise insulation materials used in acoustical design of lecture halls, theaters, concert halls etc.
This course is designed for students in “Engineering Design”, Bachelor’s degree program.
Lecturers:
Internal-Factory Transport
The course introduces issues related to complex mechanization of loading – unloading and storage, organization and service of cargo flows and the main types of machinery and equipment. Students will acquire knowledge about the design of the main hoisting and conveying machinery, as well as some auxiliary.
Within the main course, a subsection “Pneumatic conveyor systems” for transportation of fragmented wood has been developed. Topics covered will include the fundamentals of pneumatic transportation, methods of calculation, design and testing of pneumatic systems used in woodworking industry.
This course is designed for students in ”Wood Technology”, which is the successor of the “Wood and furniture”, Bachelor’s degree program.
Machine Elements
In class “Machine Elements” examine designation of aspects, structure and calculate of basics elements and mechanisms with commonly designation, entering components pieces in modern woodworking and furniture machines.
Class is compound for three sections: joints, drives and elements of motion. In first section examine detachable (screwed, keys, splint) and permanent (riveted, welds, soldered, gluing and pressings) joints, pipe, pipes joints and springs. In second section examine mechanisms (leverage and cam) and drives (gear, worm, chain, belt, friction and variables-speed) with general designation. In third section examine elements of rotary motion (axles, shafts, rolling and sliding bearing and clutches).
Lecturers:
Machine Science
In class “Machine Science” examine detachable (screwed and keys) and permanent (riveted, welds and pressings) joints, pipe, pipes joints and springs. Similarly examine elements, participants in transmission for rotary motion (axles, shafts, rolling and sliding bearing and clutches), mechanisms (leverage and cam), and drives (gear, worm, chain, belt, friction and variables-speed) with commonly designation.
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Machinery and Tools for Woodworking
The course “Machinery and Tools for Woodworking” studies the construction and the application of the main woodworking and furniture machines: frame saws, band saws, circular saws, milling machines, planers, drilling and sanding machines.
For each specific machine the cutting tools with which it operates and a short information about the main cutting modes are provided as well as. The students are acquainting with the safety operating rules of the cutting tools, as well as with the procedures to put the machines and the equipment in working mode.
Lecturers:
Machines for Furniture Manufacture
The course of ”Machines for Furniture and Furnishings Manufacture” examines the issues related to the construction of woodworking machines for the furniture production and interior elements.
The constructions of the cutting tools and the methods for their mounting are taken into consideration. Methods for selection of the operating mode of the machines, the way of setup and the machine services are considered as well. The constructions and principles of operation of the main elements of the machines are studied.
The course of “Machines for Furniture and Furnishings Manufacture” is designed for students of the specialty “Engineering Design”, Bachelor’s degree program.
Lecturers:
Manufacturing Practice
The training course aims, on the one hand, to upgrade the practical skills of students acquired in the previous academic year in the discipline “Woodworking Workshop”, and on the other hand to be the basis for specialized disciplines – “Wood cutting and cutting tools”, “In-house transport”, “Woodworking machines”, “Technology of solid wood materials”, “Furniture design”, “Furniture technology”. In a real production environment, students get acquainted with the technical characteristics of the main woodworking machines and furniture production machines, and acquire practical skills related to setting up, maintaining and working with them, as well as the various options for dedusting them. Attention is paid to the application and operation of hand power tools, as fixed equipment used in the installation of furniture.
Lecturers:
Metal Science
The main goal of the course is to introduce the structure and properties of ferrous and nonferrous metals and alloys in terms of their application in the woodworking and furniture industry.
The main task of the course is to build systematic knowledge and skills that form the basis of all subsequent general technical and specialized courses which are necessary in the education in the speciality Wood Technology.
Operation Exploitation and Maintenance of Woodworking Machinery
The course “Operation and Maintenance of Woodworking Machines“ is taught to students of the specialty “Wood Technology”, which succeeded the specialty of “Woodworking and Furniture Industry”, Master’s degree.
The purpose of the studied subjects is to acquaint the students with the theoretical foundations, the normative base and practical implementation of the activities which provide proper operation, maintenance and recovery of the woodworking machines in real manufacturing conditions.
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Processing of Wood Materials with Multifunctional Power Tools
The discipline is entirely practical. It aims to create in students basic practical knowledge and skills related to the processing of various wood materials, as well as wood-based materials with a variety of power tools. Their application, the right choice according to the specific conditions, setting, safety and organization of the workplace.
Through the course of study students will acquire and develop personal skills, practical habits and confidence in working with this type of technological equipment invariably used in the manufacture and installation of furniture and wood products. By solving various practical tasks, they will perform a variety of technological operations related to longitudinal, transverse and oblique cutting of materials in a straight and curved contour, making holes, milling, grinding, edging and more.
Lecturers:
Warehouse Automation and Packaging
The course aims to give students basic knowledge related to the main types of automated warehouses and technologies involved in their creation: advanced sensors; Warehouse Management Software (WMS); artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. The training includes acquaintance with specific software for automated warehouse management and different types of robots suitable for warehouse automation: cylindrical, parallel, mobile, Cartesian and stationary articulated (mechanical arms) and mobile. Students get acquainted with the capabilities and functions of storage robots and systems: pick-and-place operations, assembly and disassembly, transportation and packaging.
Lecturers:
Woodworking Machines
The course of “Woodworking Machines” is fundamental and grants basic knowledge on the theory and design of the woodworking machines and the machines for furniture production. The main issues in these areas are discussed. The trends in their development and scientific advances in this field of knowledge are indicated.
The course of “Woodworking Machines” is designed for students of the specialty “Wood Technology”, which succeeded the specialty “Woodworking and Furniture Industry”, Bachelor’s degree.
