PhD Researcher · Jönköping University

Aju
Menon

Engineering Design & AI/ML Researcher
Data-driven design, knowledge reuse & CAD automation for manufacturing.

Bridging industrial engineering practice with research through AI-powered tools, Case-Based Reasoning, and collaborative partnerships with leading Swedish manufacturers.

Aju Menon
Jönköping University
Jönköping University
Sweden · PhD in Product Development
0Years PhD research
0Publications
0Industry partners
0Countries worked in
About

Engineering researcher
with an industrial focus

I am a PhD student in Product Development at Jönköping University, conducting research within the Leaner Tools project in close collaboration with Swedish manufacturing companies including Thule AB, Östrand & Hansen AB, MP Bolagen AB, and TDi AB.

My research centers on data-driven design for knowledge reuse in the sheet metal tooling industry. I develop AI/ML-based support systems grounded in Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) frameworks and build decision-aiding tools derived from CAD histories — bringing academic rigor directly into industrial practice through Insider Action Research.

Alongside my research, I teach CAD modeling in SolidWorks, API-driven automation, plastic product and injection mold design, and sheet metal tooling analysis. I hold an MSc in Engineering Design (Machine Design track) from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.

My background spans mechanical engineering, marine energy research at Politecnico di Torino, and a deep interest in green energy and sustainable engineering solutions.

Research interests
Engineering Design · AI/ML Integration · 3D CAD Modelling & Simulation · Knowledge Reuse · Green Energy
Languages
EnglishFull professional
SwedishElementary
MalayalamNative / bilingual
Publications

Research output

Peer-reviewed conference papers and thesis work in engineering design and AI/ML for manufacturing.

2025
Exploring AI/ML approaches for CBR-enabled Knowledge Reuse in Sheet Metal Tooling Development
AS Menon, R Stolt, F Elgh
Procedia CIRP 136, 746–751
Conference
2024
Sheet Metal Forming Tooling — State of Art and Practice in Five Manufacturing Companies
AS Menon, R Stolt, F Elgh
International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing
Conference
2021
Test Rig Adaptation for the Investigation of Bearings in Wave Energy Converters
AS Menon
Master's Thesis, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Thesis
Research Projects

Active research areas

Core projects within the Leaner Tools PhD programme at Jönköping University.

🤖
AI/ML-Based Knowledge Reuse System
Developing a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) framework to retrieve and adapt historical tooling design knowledge, reducing design time and improving decision quality in early-phase engineering.
CBR Machine Learning Knowledge Management
📐
CAD History-Based Decision Aid
Building ML classifiers that learn from historical SolidWorks CAD feature sequences to predict design complexity, tooling feasibility, and manufacturing effort for sheet metal components.
SolidWorks API Classification CAD Automation
🏭
Industrial Design Process Mapping
Insider Action Research with four Swedish manufacturing companies to map, evaluate, and improve product development processes in the sheet metal tooling industry.
Action Research Process Analysis Industry Collaboration
Experience

Professional history

Sep 2023 — Present
Jönköping, Sweden
Doktorand (PhD Researcher)
Jönköping University
Project: Leaner Tools · Partners: Thule AB, Östrand & Hansen AB, MP Bolagen AB, TDi AB
  • Conducting data-driven design research for knowledge reuse within the sheet metal tooling industry using Insider Action Research methodology.
  • Developing an AI/ML-based support system grounded in a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) framework to assist engineering decision-making.
  • Building ML-based decision-aiding tools from CAD histories to optimize early-phase product development.
  • Teaching CAD modeling, SolidWorks API automation, plastic product design, and sheet metal forming analysis.
ResearchAI/MLCADTeachingCBR
Jönköping University
Jönköping University campus, Sweden
Mar 2022 — Sep 2022
Torino, Italy
Researcher
MOREnergy Lab, Politecnico di Torino
Research lab for marine offshore renewable energy
  • Enhanced survivability and wave power absorption of offshore devices through conceptual 3D CAD development.
  • Estimated dimensions of mechanical components based on design feasibility and mechanical strength.
  • Refined and validated wave energy converter designs through CAD model prototyping.
  • Conducted comparative analysis of bearing alternatives for existing marine energy systems.
SolidWorksMATLABANSYSMarine Energy
Oscillating WEC — MOREnergy Lab (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Oscillating WEC · MOREnergy Lab (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Jan 2021 — Aug 2021
Stockholm, Sweden
Master Thesis Student
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Test rig adaptation for wave energy converter bearings
  • Designed a conceptual test rig for investigating bearings used in Wave Energy Converters.
  • Performed hands-on inspection and testing while studying tribological aspects of wave energy systems.
  • Presented findings to company and academic experts, formalizing requirements specifications.
SolidWorksAutodesk InventorMATLABTribology
KTH
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
Skills & Tools

Technical expertise

CAD & Simulation
SolidWorksSolid EdgeANSYS APDLANSYS Static StructuralAbaqus CAEADAMS ViewAutodesk Inventor
AI & Programming
PythonMATLABC++ / CMachine LearningSupervised LearningCase-Based ReasoningAPI Automation
Engineering Design
GD&TTopology OptimizationFeasibility StudyConcept DevelopmentModularizationDesign for Manufacturing
Research
Insider Action ResearchKnowledge ReuseData-Driven DesignCBR FrameworkProduct Development
Leadership
Team LeadershipStrategic PlanningAnalytical ThinkingProblem AnalysisTeaching
Education

Academic qualifications

JU
2023 — Present
PhD in Product Development
Jönköping University · Sweden
Product development · Research methodology · Automated Engineering Design · Big Data · Machine Learning
KTH
2019 — 2021
MSc Engineering Design — Machine Design
KTH Royal Institute of Technology · Stockholm
Machine design · Dynamics · Tribology · System engineering · Reliability Optimisation · CAD modelling
Amrita
2016 — 2019
BSc Mechanical Engineering
Amrita University · India
Mechatronics · Renewable energy · Manufacturing · Fluid mechanics · Thermal engineering
Contact

Open to research
collaborations &
conversations

Whether you are interested in engineering design research, AI/ML applications in manufacturing, or academic partnership — I welcome the opportunity to connect.

Phone
+46 731 610 208
Location
Jönköping, Sweden