We are right now looking for one student to write their Master thesis at IKEA Components from January to June 2021.

We are IKEA!
At IKEA Components we develop, source, pack and supply components in areas where it benefits IKEA and the IKEA customer. We integrate backwards in the IKEA value chain to create a better everyday life for the many people. We focus on creating price advantage through business development and economy of scale, as well as securing excellence within design, quality, availability and sustainability.

WHAT?
At IKEA Components, simulations is an important part in our development process. To further strengthen our simulation capabilities, a deeper knowledge of our material behavior is needed. 
IKEA’s  furniture’s and its components will experience a wide range of external loads during their life time. This will in its turn arise a stress field, which consist of a mixture of the different stress states. For material such as thermoplastics the volumetric stress might be important, thereby the von misses yield criteria are might no longer be relevant. To be able to see the impact of the volumetric dependency as well as feed data into more complex material models, an accurate compression test is key.

HOW? 
In this thesis you will have the opportunity to impact parts of the material test program for IKEA. In the compression test the major complexity comes in how to keep the uniaxial stress field. A number of test geometries and setups exist within literatures and papers with their own pros and cons. 

The goal of this thesis is to evaluate possible methods with the accuracy, practicality and cost aspect. This is done trough:
•    Numerical evaluation in LS-Dyna.
•    Anisotropic effects of specimens.
•    Initial evaluation of manufacturing impact.
•    Physical test setup and extraction of data.

WHO? 
You are probably a master or bachelor student within the field of Mechanical-, civil- ,physics- engineering or equal. You should have a working understanding of solid mechanics as well as constitutive modeling.
The task consist of both theoretical and a particle aspect, thereby you should be able to carry out the test either at the university and/or at IKEA’s test facility.

The assignment will be carried out on location in Älmhult or per agreement. The end result should be delivered as a report along with “work” files for further use. The desired mathematical software for evaluation of results is Python 3. Preferable in .py format or in the Jupyter GUI(.pyn).

Sounds interesting? 
Submit your application as soon as possible via this ad, however not later than 22/11 2020.
For more information about the role or the recruitment process, please contact IKEA supervisor, [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application in English!

IKEA Range & Supply has the responsibility to develop, design, produce and supply IKEA stores with home furnishing solutions available to the many people. Each year IKEA Range & Supply introduce 2,000 new products in the IKEA stores. The total range is almost 10,000 products.