Ramón van Dooren

Electromechanical engineer, ir.

I design, simulate and build electromechanical systems, and I write the software that runs them.

Ramón van Dooren

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Abstract

Who is Ramón van Dooren?

Title
ir., MSc
Field
Electromechanical engineering
Specialisation
Design and Production
Main tools
Creo Parametric, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python
Based in
Limburg, the Netherlands
Languages
Dutch, English

Ramón van Dooren is an electromechanical engineer (ir., MSc) based in Limburg, the Netherlands, working in mechatronics and mechanical design. He holds a Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technology, specialisation Design and Production, a joint degree of Hasselt University and KU Leuven, awarded with great distinction in 2025, and a Bachelor of Science in the same field, awarded with distinction in 2024. His work covers the whole engineering loop: measurement and machine vision, multiphysics and structural FEA, mechanical design and production drawings in Creo Parametric with geometric tolerancing to ISO GPS, CAM and CNC machining, and control software in Python. His master’s thesis at IUMAT, the materials research institute of Hasselt University and imec, concerned a liquid metal deposition tool for magnetic direct writing of stretchable electronics. He wants to specialise in R&D for high-tech machines and devices, with a focus on precision mechatronics: actuators, motion systems and thermal design. Alongside engineering he builds automation and AI software as a freelancer.

Keywords: mechatronics, mechanical design, electromagnet and actuator design, finite element analysis, heat transfer, geometric tolerancing (ISO GPS), design for manufacturing, CAM and CNC machining, machine vision, control systems, Python.

Method

Capabilities

Four stages of one loop. Each one feeds the next, and the last feeds the first.

01

Perceive

Measure before deciding.

A project starts with understanding the problem. I work out what the system has to do and turn that into requirements with numbers attached: loads, speeds, accuracy, environment and cost. I then describe the system as a black box, with its inputs, its required outputs and the variables that decide the result. Where a number is missing, I measure it.

  • Requirements analysis
  • Function analysis and black-box modelling
  • Measurement systems and sensor technology
  • Dimensional metrology
  • Machine vision in MVTec HALCON
  • Deep-learning anomaly detection

02

Reason

Model it before building it.

I work a design out by hand first, with analytical calculations that size the parts and narrow down the concepts. What survives goes into simulation: multiphysics FEA where several physical effects interact, and structural FEA for stress and stiffness. I choose materials on their properties, using material indices, and I print prototypes early to see whether the parts fit and work.

  • Analytical calculations and sizing
  • Multiphysics FEA in COMSOL
  • Structural FEA in Siemens NX
  • Electromagnet and actuator design
  • Vibration analysis
  • Materials selection in Ansys Granta (Ashby method)
  • Rapid prototyping (SLA 3D printing)
  • MATLAB and Python for analysis

03

Act

Turn the model into hardware.

I turn the chosen concept into a complete 3D model and a production dossier: assembly and part drawings with dimensional and geometric tolerances (GD&T), bills of materials, and standard components picked from the catalogue. I design each part for the process that will make it, so the model goes from CAD into CAM and onto the machine.

  • Creo Parametric: 3D CAD and production drawings
  • SolidWorks, Inventor, Fusion 360
  • Geometric tolerancing to ISO GPS (ISO 1101)
  • Design for manufacturing and production dossiers
  • Bearing and machine component selection
  • CAM in Creo, CNC programming in CIMCO
  • Multi-axis motion synchronisation in G-code
  • Electric drives and robotics

04

Learn

Close the loop.

A system is finished when the measured result matches the model. I build it, test it against the requirements from the first stage, and compare the measurements with the calculations and simulations. Where they disagree I find the cause and optimise the design, then run the loop again. I also write the control and test software, so every test can be repeated the same way.

  • Verification and validation against requirements
  • Test results compared with simulation
  • Design optimisation
  • Feedback and control systems
  • Python instrument control (SCPI, PyVISA)
  • PLC programming in Siemens TIA Portal (basic)
  • Git, TypeScript, Rust
  • Agentic AI workflows

Record

Education and record

Table 1. Academic and professional record.
YearEntryInstitution
Education
2026Dutch engineering title ir. (ingenieur)Granted by DUO, the Netherlands
2025MSc Electromechanical Engineering Technology, specialisation Design and Production. Great distinction.Hasselt University and KU Leuven, joint degree
2025Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme: Digital and Sustainable Transition in Manufacturing and Automotive IndustryFree University of Bozen-Bolzano
2024BSc Electromechanical Engineering Technology. Distinction.Hasselt University and KU Leuven
Thesis projects
MScDesign and development of a liquid metal deposition tool for magnetic direct writing. The engineering process, including simulation, production and verification, of a magnetically assisted manufacturing system for research into stretchable electronic devices such as soft robotics and healthcare sensors.IUMAT, formerly imo-imomec (UHasselt and imec)
BScAutomated discharge and buffer system for robotically harvested apples. Complete mechanical design and production dossier in Creo Parametric, with geometric tolerancing to ISO GPS.ACRO (KU Leuven) with pcfruit vzw
Experience
Since 2024AI systems engineer, freelance. Automation and AI software for businesses.Ravando, Sittard
Since 2022Technical co-founder of a gymwear brand, a side project with two partners. Product and web design.Beyond Olympus
Certification
2023VCA (SCC) Safety for Operational Supervisors, VOL-VCA
Languages
Dutch (native), English (full professional), German and French (basic)