Professor Leo J de Vin studied Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Twente in The Netherlands. He is the author of more then 100 scientific papers and a large number of trade journal contributions, technical reports and so on. Some of his current interests include: Simulation and Information Fusion for Manufacturing Decision Support; Integrated Product Development; Automation Engineering, Simulation and Virtual Production Design; Computer Aided Process Planning; Mechatronics. His personal hobbies include sports like cycling and skiing, and Leo is a keen DIY-er.
After obtaining an MSc in Production Engineering (1989) and a PhD in Computer Aided Process Planning for Sheet Metal Components (1994) at the University of Twente (NL), he worked as a Research Officer CIM at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown (UK) before joining the University of Skövde (SE) as a Visiting Lecturer in Integrated Product Development in 1997. He became Head of the Centre for Intelligent Automation in 1999. Leo was promoted to the rank of Professor in 2001 and holds the Chair in Automation Engineering, which has been sponsored by Volvocars Engine (Skövde), Volvo Powertrain (Skövde) and Euromation (now Euromaint Industry, Skövde).
Leo was the founder and co-ordinator of the Mechatronic Systems research platform that was established with substantial external funding from The Knowledge Foundation in Stockholm. He is supervisor or co-supervisor for PhD students in Automation Engineering, Integrated Product Development, and Mechatronics. Leo was also one of the driving people behind the establishment of the Virtual Systems Research Centre. He was General Chair of the 18th International Conference on Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing FAIM 2008. He is a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and of the Mechatronics Forum Committee.
Leo has been Course Director for a number of undergraduate programmes and postgraduate programmes in Automation Engineering. He is a former member of the University Board for Research and Education. He became a full member of KIVI (Royal Society of Engineers in The Netherlands) in 1990 and a senior member of SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers in the USA) in 1997.