Piet C. J. van Rens
Susan van den Berg (Fontys University of Applied Sciences)
MM2-Eyeopeners for Precision Designers – Part 1
TM3-Eyeopeners for Precision Designers – Part 2
Part 1 Monday, October 26, 2026 (8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)
Part 2 Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon)
In precision engineering, small design choices can have a huge impact on system performance.
This 2 part tutorial provides key insights—eyeopeners—into the fundamentals of precision design, covering principles that are essential for robust and high-performance mechanical systems.
We will explore how to manage degrees of freedom through exact-constraint design, the effects of stacking subsystems, and how to optimize system stiffness by tracing the route of forces. We will introduce the energy method, which is a useful tool to derive the system stiffness. Additional topics include kinematic couplings, positioning against stops, clamping, and rolling interactions.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding on how to think critically about precision design and recognize solutions that may not be obvious at first glance.
Piet van Rens has decades of experience in precision system design, starting with his work at the Laboratory of Space Research in Utrecht and continuing through a 24-year career at Philips. He has contributed to fundamental texts in the field, such as The Devil’s Picture Book (desDuivels Prentenboek). In recent years, he has worked as an independent consultant, advising high-tech companies including ASML. In 2022, he received the ASPE Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to precision engineering.
Susan van den Berg is a lecturer at Fontys University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. She obtained her master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s of Technical Design (MTD) in Advanced Industrial Design Engineering, both from Delft University of Technology. At Fontys, her main activities include teaching design principles at both bachelor’s and master’s levels and supervising graduate projects for bachelor’s and master’s students. She is the author of Design Concepts and Strategies for Precision Engineering.