Metallurgical Digital Engineering
16.07.2025 2025-07-17 2:08Metallurgical Digital Engineering
Digitalization in Metallurgy: Revolutionizing the Industry Through Cutting-Edge Technologies
The digital transformation of metallurgy is reshaping how metals are produced, processed, and perfected. By integrating next-generation technologies, the industry is becoming faster, smarter, cleaner, and dramatically more efficient. Today, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and digital twin technology are driving a new era of precision, sustainability, and innovation in metallurgical plants.
What Does Digitalization in Metallurgy Mean?
It means replacing outdated systems with intelligent machines and software that monitor, analyze, and optimize every stage of production. Smart sensors track real-time data such as temperature and pressure, while big data platforms process vast information streams to predict outcomes and enhance metal quality with unmatched accuracy.
Key Technologies Shaping the Future
- Automation & Robotics – Robots perform high-risk tasks like cutting and welding, boosting safety and efficiency.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI predicts product quality, prevents defects, and enables real-time decision-making.
- Internet of Things (IoT) – Embedded sensors collect operational data for continuous monitoring and intelligent control.
- Big Data Analytics – Massive data sets are processed to optimize performance and reduce downtime.
- Digital Twins – Virtual replicas of machines and systems allow for testing, simulation, and improvement before physical changes are made.
Why It Matters – The Benefits of Metallurgical Digitalization
- ⚙️ Higher Efficiency – Faster, more precise processes that cut costs and maximize output.
- 🌍 Lower Environmental Impact – Reduced waste and smarter resource use for greener operations.
- 🔁 Greater Flexibility – Agile production systems that can quickly adapt to new demands.
- 🛡️ Improved Safety – Fewer human interventions in hazardous zones thanks to automation.
Challenges on the Road Ahead
Implementing digital technologies requires significant investment, a highly skilled workforce, and robust data security infrastructure. But the long-term rewards far outweigh the initial hurdles.
What Does the Future Hold?
Digital metallurgy is the future. It’s not just an upgrade—it’s a complete transformation. As we embrace digital tools, metallurgy is evolving into a smart, sustainable, and future-ready industry.
Welcome to the new era of Metallurgical Digital Engineering.
Course schedule by semesters and years of study for academic studies (AS)
| No. | Course code | Name of the Course | Semester | No. of classes per week | ECTS | |
| L | E | |||||
| FIRST YEAR | ||||||
| 1 | MDE1M1 | Mathematics 1 | I | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | MDE1M2 | General and inorganic chemistry 1 | I | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | MDE1M3 | Physics 1 | I | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | MDE1M4 | Technical drawing and CAD | I | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | MDE1M5 | Electrical Engineering | I | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | MDE2M1 | Mathematics 2 | II | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 7 | MDE2M2 | General and inorganic chemistry 2 | II | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 8 | MDE2M3 | Statistics for Engineers | II | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | MDE2M4 | Mineral processing | II | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 10 | MDE2E1 | Elective Subject 1 | II | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total hours (lectures, exercises) and number of ECTS per year | 27 | 27 | 30 | |||
| No. | Course code | Name of the Course | Semester | No. of classes per week | ECTS | |
| L | E | |||||
| SECOND YEAR | ||||||
| 1 | MDE3M1 | Introduction to Material Engineering | III | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | MDE3M2 | Chemical metallurgy 1 | III | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | MDE3M3 | Physical metallurgy 1 | III | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | MDE3M4 | Discrete Mathematics | III | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | MDE3M5 | Machine Elements | III | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 6 | MDE4M1 | Chemical Metallurgy 2 | IV | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 7 | MDE4M2 | Physical Metallurgy 2 | IV | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 8 | MDE4M3 | Transport phenomena | IV | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 9 | MDE4M4 | Principles of Management | IV | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | MDE4M5 | Programming in Science | IV | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Total hours (lectures, exercises) and number of ECTS per year | 26 | 26 | 60 | |||
| No. | Course code | Name of the Course | Semester | No. of classes per week | ECTS | |
| L | E | |||||
| THIRD YEAR | ||||||
| 1 | MDE5M1 | Investigation of metals | V | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | MDE5M2 | Ferroalloys | V | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | MDE5M3 | Non-ferrous metallurgy | V | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 4 | MDE5M4 | Ferrous metallurgy | V | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | MDE5M5 | Process modeling and optimization | V | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 6 | MDE6M1 | Theory of metal casting | VI | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 7 | MDE6M2 | Corrosion and protection of metals | VI | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | MDE6M3 | Measurement, automatic control and monitoring systems | VI | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 9 | MDE6M4 | Plastic deformation of metals | VI | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | MDE6E2 | Elective Subject 2 | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 | MDE6E3 | Elective Subject 3 | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total hours (lectures, exercises) and number of ECTS per year | 29 | 28 | 60 | |||
| No. | Course code | Name of the Course | Semester | No. of classes per week | ECTS | |
| L | E | |||||
| FOURTH YEAR | ||||||
| 1 | MDE7M1 | Theory of Metal Casting | VII | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 2 | MDE7M2 | Technology of plastic deformation of metals | VII | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | MDE7M3 | Machine learning | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 4 | MDE7M4 | Heat Treatment | VII | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | MDE7E4 | Elective Subject 4 | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | MDE7M5 | Workplace safety in metallurgy | VII | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 7 | MDE8M1 | Project Management | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | MDE8E5 | Elective Subject 5 | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 9 | MDE8E6 | Elective Subject 6 | VIII | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 10 | MDE8M2 | Welding technologies | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | MDE8M3 | Diploma work | VIII | 9 | ||
| Total hours (lectures, exercises) and number of ECTS per year | 22 | 22 | 60 | |||
Elective courses of the study program (The list includes elective courses from the study program and courses offered by another unit of the university, in accordance with Article 139, paragraph 9 of the Higher Education Law (‘Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia’ 82/18)).
| No. | Code | Name of the Course | Semes ter | No. of classes per week | ECTS | UNIT | |
| Lectures | Exercises | ||||||
| 1 | MDE2E1 | Communication skills | II | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 2 | MDE2E1 | Fundamentals of Computer Operations | II | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 3 | MDE6E2 | Extraction of metals from secondary raw materials | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 4 | MDE6E2 | Wastewater treatment in metallurgy | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 5 | MDE6E2 | Surface Engineering | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 6 | MDE6E3 | Entrepreneurship and Business | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 | IE |
| 7 | MDE6E3 | Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies | VI | 2 | 2 | 4 | FTM |
| 8 | MDE7E4 | Fundamentals of Mechatronics | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FME |
| 9 | MDE7E4 | Basics of Artificial Intelligence | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FEEIT |
| 19 | MDE7E4 | Management of Innovation | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 | IE |
| 11 | MDE7E4 | Industrial Management | VII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FTM |
| 12 | MDE8E5 | Metallurgical Furnaces | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 | FTM |
| 13 | MDE8E5 | Green metallurgy | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 | FTM |
| 14 | MDE8E5 | Ladle metallurgy | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 | FTM |
| 15 | MDE8E5 | Electrometallurgy | VIII | 2 | 2 | 5 | FTM |
| 16 | MDE8E6 | Virtual Engineering | VIII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FME |
| 17 | MDE8E6 | Computer process control | VIII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FEEIT |
| 18 | MDE8E6 | Nanosensors | VIII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FTM |
| 19 | MDE8E6 | Methodology of scientific research work | VIII | 2 | 2 | 6 | FTM |
| Total: | |||||||