Berthold Schlecht

Prof. Berthold Schlecht has served as Chair of Machine Elements and Director of the Institute of Machine Elements and Machine Design at Dresden University of Technology since 2001. His career centers on mechanical and plant engineering with emphasis on critical drive systems infrastructure.

Research focuses on Machine Elements and Drive Technology across high-power applications including cranes, metallurgical plants, open-cast mining equipment, ships, power generation facilities, railroads, and motor vehicles. He advocates for Sustainable Engineering solutions that balance societal mobility demands with environmental responsibility, emphasizing machine elements' foundational role in industrial systems.

As an educator, Schlecht integrates theoretical knowledge with industrial practice to prepare students for mechanical engineering challenges. He stresses the importance of curiosity, language proficiency, and interdisciplinary understanding—recommending mechanical engineering supplemented by electrical engineering and control systems for future studies.

The Institute of Machine Elements and Machine Design operates within Dresden University of Technology's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, conducting research on drive systems critical to Germany's export-oriented mechanical engineering sector.