Every year, Steerprop provides students with the opportunity to blend their theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience by writing their diploma thesis on topics that in some way may contribute to the company’s development.
One example is Harri Pajala, a 25-year-old mechanical engineering student at Aalto University, who completed his diploma thesis at Steerprop during last summer. Originally from Vantaa, Harri has recently graduated from his studies, with a focus on solid mechanics.
Harri first joined Steerprop during the summer of 2023, after hearing about the company from a fellow student in Rauma. Following on this first summer trainee period, the opportunity to write his diploma thesis arose, and by the end of the summer, everything was set.
His expectations were clear from the beginning: “Since I had already spent several months familiarizing myself with the equipment, I had a good sense of what to expect. My supervisors and I had discussed the details of the diploma work thoroughly already at the end of the summer 2023.”
His first summer at Steerprop laid a strong foundation for his thesis work. “I got hands-on experience with the ANSYS software, which I used for stress and displacement simulations. This gave me a significant advantage when I started working on my thesis, as I was provided with my own ANSYS license,” he says.
Harri’s diploma thesis revolved around verifying the pre-tensioning method of a propeller shaft using FEM simulations, which required both theoretical and practical work. He spent much of his time measuring displacements in the hangar and combining this data with simulations. “The thesis was a mostly independent project, as the concept of verifying bearing preload was developed specifically for my work. We discussed ideas a lot with my supervisors, but it was mostly up to me to get things done,” he says.
When asked about the highlights of his summer, Harri mentions the opportunity to step away from the computer and conduct measurements in the assembly shop. “It gave me a chance to escape from the computer for a while. The most interesting aspect was developing a method for the FEM simulation, which allowed us to realistically simulate the friction surface in a reasonable amount of time,” he says.
Throughout the summer, Harri appreciated the positive working atmosphere and the support from his colleagues. He formed strong connections, having worked with some of the team members during the previous summer.
As Harri reflects on his time at Steerprop, he is particularly grateful for the skills he developed in FEM simulation and the insights he gained into marine engineering. “The diploma thesis and the previous summer job had a positive effect on my interest in the maritime industry. Before joining Steerprop, I wasn’t very aware of the marine industry, but now I definitely want to continue working in this field, and specifically with propulsion solutions,” Harri explains.
Harri plans to deepen his knowledge and he has continued working as Design Engineer with Steerprop’s technical analysis team. Harri concludes his reflection on his time at Steerprop with warm words:
“The work environment has been great, and my colleagues have made the job enjoyable. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with Steerprop.”
Are you looking for a summerjob or thesis topic?
Feel free to contact us at careers(at)steerprop.com to discuss possible thesis topics and to apply for a thesis collaboration, summer job or internship. Also check out our open positions!
