Mechanical Engineering Internship Influence of Dynamic Conditions on Bolted Plastic Parts

Introduction

The Mechanical Development department at ASML designs and optimizes high-precision modules that enable the worlds most advanced lithography systems. Within this team we are investigating how dynamic conditions affect the preload of bolted plastic parts an essential factor in ensuring mechanical reliability. Bolts may seem simple but they are critical in maintaining structural integrity especially in fast-moving positioning modules. This internship focuses on understanding how small bolts behave under dynamic loads particularly when clamping plastic components. Your work will help prevent failures and improve long-term performance in ASML systems.

Your assignment

In this graduation internship you will explore how dynamic forces influence the pretension of bolted plastic parts. Understanding their behavior under stress is key to improving reliability. You will design and test a solution that measures and analyzes bolt performance under both static and dynamic conditions.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Research mechanical design requirements and conduct a literature review on current technologies.
• Develop a conceptual design for a load cell to measure bolt pretension loss.
• Build models for dynamic analysis and optimize the design.
• Create detailed mechanical designs and assess potential risks.
• Conduct static and dynamic tests using your designed load cell.
• Analyze test data and interpret results.
• Document your findings and present conclusions.

Your profile

To be suitable for the internship you:

• Are pursuing a masters degree in mechanical engineering mechatronics or applied physics.
• Have experience with precision mechanics and understand how materials respond to mechanical loads (e.g. creep yield).
• Are familiar with CAD modeling and simulation tools such as FEM (e.g. Ansys Comsol Abaqus).
• Preferably are familiar with MATLAB for data analysis and modeling.
• Communicate effectively in English and have basic scientific writing and presentation skills.

This is a bachelor/master (thesis) internship for minimum 6 months for 4-5 days per week (3 days on-site). The start date of this internship is as of February 2026 but flexible.

Other requirements you need to meet:

• You are enrolled at an educational institutefor the entire duration of the internship;

• Attach your cover letter with a clear motivation why you are interested in this internship assignment in particular;

• You need to be located in the Netherlands to be perform your case you are currently living/studying outside of the Netherlands your CV/motivation letter includes the willingness to relocate.

• If you are a non-EU citizen studying in the Netherlands your university is willing to sign the documents relevant for doing an internship (i.e. Nuffic agreement).

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit hire train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race color religion sex age national origin veteran status disability sexual orientation or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

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