Dr.ir. R.G.K.M. Aarts | People Pages: Find employees & contact details

Ronald Aarts is an Associate Professor in the Applied Mechanics and Data Analysis (AMDA) research group, which is part of the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET). He is trained in Applied Physics, obtaining both an MSc and a PhD from the Eindhoven University of Technology. He joined the University of Twente in 1994, and initially worked on fluid-induced forces in centrifugal pumps. From 1997 onwards, he supervised various projects in the area of robotic laser welding.

Dr Aarts’ current research is in the area of flexible multibody dynamics, with a focus on numerically efficient modelling, system identification, parameter estimation and links to control and design challenges. He also coordinates the in-house development of the SPACAR software package. This implements a non-linear finite element formulation that offers unique benefits in terms of the analysis and simulation of devices in which rigid and flexible parts are interconnected, such as manipulators. He is also developing low-order and reduced-order models for use in design optimization. Fully non-linear models or linearized models are integrated with control systems to capture the dominant behaviour of mechatronic systems.

Ronald Aarts teaches elements of second-year and third-year Bachelor’s modules. The above-mentioned research topics feature in more specialized Master’s and post-Master’s courses, which can be tailored to specific audiences (e.g. from the industrial sector).

Expertise

Engineering
- Flexure
- Joints (Structural Components)
- Mechanisms
- Flexure Hinge
- Design
- Optimization
- Models
Physics
- Model

Organisations

Publications

2025

Mathematical analysis of dynamic high power laser beam shaping using Galvanometer Scanners or Deformable Mirrors (2025)Optics & Laser Technology, 183. Article 112356. Bremer, L., Aarts, R. G. K. M. & Römer, G. R. B. E.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.112356Third-order geometric stiffness formulation for improved mesh convergence of thin and wide spatial beams in the generalized strain beam formulation (2025)Computational mechanics, 75, 1431-1447. Nijenhuis, M., Meijaard, J. P., Naves, M. & Aarts, R. G. K. M.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-024-02570-5Dynamic laser beam shaping by means of a deformable mirror to tailor microstructure in Directed Energy Deposition (2025)Journal of materials processing technology, 339. Article 118797. Bremer, S. J. L., Luckabauer, M., Aarts, R. G. K. M. & Römer, G.-W. R. B. E.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2025.118797Data-driven inverse dynamics modeling using neural-networks and regression-based techniques (2025)Multibody system dynamics, 63(3), 341-366. Article 055302. Pikuliński, M., Malczyk, P. & Aarts, R.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11044-024-10024-2Correction to: Third-order geometric stiffness formulation for improved mesh convergence of thin and wide spatial beams in the generalized strain beam formulation: (Computational Mechanics, (2025), 75, 4, (1431-1447), 10.1007/s00466-024-02570-5) (2025)Computational mechanics, 75(4), 1449. Nijenhuis, M., Meijaard, J. P., Naves, M. & Aarts, R. G. K. M.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00466-025-02608-2

2024

Design of an Automated Cobot System for Pre/Post cleaning during Railway Repair using WAAM (2024)[Thesis › EngD Thesis]. University of Twente. Hajiabadi, S.Thermal fields induced by oscillating laser beams versus non-oscillating equivalent laser beams — A numerical study (2024)International journal of heat and mass transfer, 234. Article 126129. Bremer, S. J. L., Aarts, R. G. K. M. & Römer, G.-W. R. B. E.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.126129Design and implementation of dynamic beam shaping in high power laser processing by means of a Deformable Mirror (2024)Optics & Laser Technology, 177. Article 111066. Bremer, S. J. L., Aarts, R. G. K. M. & Römer, G.-W. R. B. E.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.111066Dynamic High Power Laser Beam Shaping in Directed Energy Deposition (2024)[Thesis › PhD Thesis - Research UT, graduation UT]. University of Twente. Bremer, L.https://doi.org/10.3990/1.9789036560832Physics Informed Neural Network for feedforward control of a 2-DOF manipulator with flexure joints (2024)[Contribution to conference › Abstract] 7th International Conference on Multibody System Dynamics, IMSD 2024. Harbers, B. & Aarts, R. G. K. M.https://easychair.org/publications/preprint/s5gt

Research profiles

Courses academic year 2025/2026

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Courses academic year 2024/2025

Address

University of Twente

Horst Complex (building no. 20), room N123
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands

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