Unveiling your new Applied Mechanics Hub

Our new Applied Mechanics Hub on Level 2 of the EN building at our Hawthorn campus is now complete and open for students to use!

Mechanical engineering facilities at Swinburne University of Technology have been given a state-of-the-art upgrade as part of our next gen_campus transformation.

The large program of work to transform our physical environment and deliver a better student experience will ensure our students have access to the latest technology and advanced facilities here at Swinburne, including the new Applied Mechanics Hub in Hawthorn’s EN building.

Comprised of thermodynamics, statics and dynamic labs, the new hub delivers more accessible and fit-for-purpose lab space to meet students’ needs and priorities for a next gen_experience.

We've upgraded mechanical engineering facilities to prepare our students for careers making things that move to help society grow and prosper. See what our students thought of the new Applied Mechanics Hub at the official opening on 14 May.

Welcome to the new Applied Mechanics Hub
Video transcript [115KB]

Hands-on, experiential learning

Swinburne’s mechanical engineering courses offer critical, hands-on experience accredited by Engineering Australia and the Australian Computer Society, teaching students specialised engineering skills and competencies formally recognised by Engineers Australia. 

Our facilities are developed around experimental learning to prepare our students for careers making things that move to help society grow and prosper.

They learn how to use the physics of forces, heat, fluids, and energy, and combine these with the study of advanced materials.

  • “We’re thrilled to deliver this exciting project to elevate our engineering capability at Swinburne. It will offer students the opportunities to engage in practical experimentation, thereby enhancing their academic and practical experience within our undergraduate engineering programs.”

    Professor Emad Gad , School of Engineering

The tools to become tomorrow’s industry leaders

With a broad range of specialties in Swinburne’s mechanical engineering offering, the new labs in the Applied Mechanics Hub have something for everyone.

The Thermodynamics Lab provides an environment for students to study heat transfer and its application as a heat exchanger, in addition to the otto cycle (petrol) engine's performance.

In the Statics Lab, students gain hands-on, experiential learning using specialised experiment kits for analysis of trusses and beams.

The Dynamics Lab provides structural mechanics students with an understanding of the mechanics of materials and structures, focusing on the stress, deformation and stability of structural components. Engineering dynamics students benefit from the space to study the mass moment of inertia, conservation of angular momentum and gyro effect, while machine dynamics students synthesize and solve problems on linkage mechanisms, mechanics of machinery, engine dynamics and vibrations in the space.

These labs compliment Swinburne’s existing engineering facilities, including the Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Laboratory with its 3D printing and laser cutting equipment where students can manufacture parts for projects and research, and the Student Workshop where they can access more traditional hand and power tools.

  • “By validating the theory they learn in their lectures, it will improve their understanding of the knowledge in various subjects and make them better engineer. 

    Together with Swinburne’s world-class teaching staff, we’re providing our students with the potential to become tomorrow’s industry leaders and innovators. They will build on this foundation through their careers and I have no doubt they will bring people and technology together to build a better world.”

    Professor Emad Gad , School of Engineering

Related articles