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
2024
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.
- 191211208 - Internship EE
- 195799152 - Internship
- 200900012 - Integration Project
- 201300176 - CS1 EngD Robotics
- 201300177 - CS2 EngD Robotics
- 201300295 - Professional Development - EngD
- 201300298 - Literature Study - EngD
- 201600187 - Individual Project
- 201900037 - Flexible Multibody Dynamics
- 201900215 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 201900223 - Capita Selecta Electrical Engineering
- 202000249 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 202000250 - Internship
- 202001537 - Applied Mechanics - Capita Selecta
- 202200120 - Internship ROB
- 202200122 - MSc-Thesis Project
- 202500385 - Internship ROB/AM
Courses academic year 2024/2025
- 191131410 - Mechanical Automation - Capita Selecta
- 191199154 - Internship
- 191199198 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 191211208 - Internship EE
- 195799152 - Internship
- 200900012 - Integration Project
- 201300176 - CS1 EngD Robotics
- 201300177 - CS2 EngD Robotics
- 201300295 - Professional Development - EngD
- 201300298 - Literature Study - EngD
- 201600187 - Individual Project
- 201900037 - Flexible Multibody Dynamics
- 201900215 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 201900223 - Capita Selecta Electrical Engineering
- 202000144 - System and Control Engineering
- 202000249 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 202000250 - Internship
- 202001537 - Applied Mechanics - Capita Selecta
- 202200111 - System Identif. Parameter Estim. and ML
- 202200120 - Internship ROB
- 202200122 - MSc-Thesis Project
- 202300364 - Graduation Project SC-ME
- 202400359 - AI in Engineering Minor
Courses academic year 2023/2024
- 191131410 - Mechanical Automation - Capita Selecta
- 191131700 - System Identif. and Parameter Estimation
- 191199152 - Internship
- 191199154 - Internship
- 191199198 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 191211208 - Internship EE
- 195799152 - Internship
- 200900012 - Integration Project
- 201100179 - Graduation Project
- 201300176 - CS1 EngD Robotics
- 201300177 - CS2 EngD Robotics
- 201300295 - Professional Development - EngD
- 201300298 - Literature Study - EngD
- 201400462 - Internship S&C
- 201900037 - Flexible Multibody Dynamics
- 201900223 - Capita Selecta Electrical Engineering
- 202000031 - Frontiers in Robotics
- 202000144 - System and Control Engineering
- 202000249 - Master Graduation Assignment
- 202000250 - Internship
- 202000670 - Bachelor Assignment
- 202001537 - Applied Mechanics - Capita Selecta
- 202200111 - System Identif. Parameter Estim. and ML
- 202200120 - Internship ROB
- 202200122 - MSc-Thesis Project
- 202300342 - Internship ROB/I-TECH
- 202300349 - Internship ROB/I-TECH
- 202300353 - Internship (CSE/SET)
- 202300364 - Graduation Project SC-ME
Address

University of Twente
Horst Complex (building no. 20), room N123
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands
University of Twente
Horst Complex N123
P.O. Box 217
7500 AE Enschede
Netherlands