SFMA established the scholarship in order to promote interest in hydraulics. The two scholarship recipients say they were very surprised when they received the news, since although they felt they met the criteria, they did not actually expect to receive the award.
SFMA’s motivation states that Alexander Frid and Alex Ljungström carried out a very thorough piece of work. The thesis examines how one of Epiroc’s hydraulic breakers can be developed with a focus on both efficiency and durability. The main areas studied were improving the hydraulic system and optimizing the breaker’s geometry for increased strength and reduced weight. According to the motivation, the problem areas were simulated and optimized in advanced computer models and then co-simulated, resulting in a technically strong and very well-presented thesis.
Alex Ljungström explains that they used the Hopsan simulation tool from Linköping University and linked the control of a valve in the hydraulic model with a modified model of the idle stroke. The results showed that there were good opportunities both to create entirely new geometries for the breaker body and to improve the existing design. Epiroc was pleased with the outcome and will use the results in its continued development work.
After graduation, the two recipients moved on to different roles. Alexander Frid now works with structural analysis at SAAB Aeronautics in Linköping, while Alex Ljungström moved to Barcelona and works at IAV GmbH with calibration of engine and mechatronic systems.
