The Polhem Laboratory
The Polhem Laboratory was founded in 1995 as one of thirty competence centers funded by Nutek (VINNOVA) and the Swedish Energy Agency.
The main goal of the research activities was to develop and help implement methods and technologies to improve the product development process, which is a multi-faceted and complex activity that is central to maintaining and strengthening a company’s competitive position. The Laboratory’s vision embraced the perspective of using virtual product development.
The Polhem Laboratory helped member companies to increase their competence and to use modern technologies necessary to support the product development process.
The Polhem Laboratory started out with four research areas; integration, simulation, working methods and maintenance. After five years, from stage 3, the research areas were:
Area 1: Communication of Information in Product Development (CIPD)
Area 2: Simulation Methodology
Area 3: Conceptual Design
The activities associated with these research areas took place at Luleå University of Technology and at the member companies within the Polhem Laboratory. There was a continuous exchange of ideas and staff within this network, which helped in identifying and addressing problems of particular interest to industry and maintaining a high academic research quality.
The main goal of the research carried out at the Polhem Laboratory was to improve product and manufacturing development processes through the application of modern communication and information technologies. The primary target area was Swedish industry.
Principal idea
- To merge the two worlds of information technology and engineering
- To use modern communication infrastructure to help eliminate distance
- To utilise the core competence available at Luleå University of Technology in collaboration with industrial partners to develop and implement integrated product development methodologies and techniques.
Partner companies
ABB Atom AB | BAE Systems Hägglunds AB |
ACCRA Teknik AB | Metso Panelboard AB |
Aerodyn AB | Msc Software Nordic |
Alimak AB | Sandvik Coromant AB |
Banverket N:a Region | SKF Sverige AB |
Branschsystem AB | Ursvikens Mekaniska verkst.AB |
Ferruform AB | Vattenfall Vattenkraft AB |
Hägglunds Drives AB | Volvo Aero Corporation |
Indexator AB | Volvo Lastvagnar AB |
Inexa profile AB | Volvo Personvagnar AB |
Kiruna Industrial Dev.AB | Volvo Technical Development AB |
Facts about the project
Completed
Time period: 1995 -2006
Updated: