In the past two decades the Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e has changed from a department focusing mainly on (short-term) practical work for industry into one with a strong discipline-oriented backbone, working closely together with industry to address major challenges in the field. This policy has been further extended in the present assessment period. The department is now grouped around three disciplinary fields: one focusing on mechanics and materials, the second focusing on systems, dynamics and control, and the third focusing on heat and flow. These fields aim to integrate fundamentals, design and manufacturing. The interaction between research and education, the high-profile industrial network and the sustained healthy funding level all help to make the department an exciting environment for students and visitors from academia and industry. The goal of the research assessment is partly to look back and evaluate the performance of the department and its groups over the past six years. But it is also a time to look ahead to the future, to assess the changes that we expect to face, and to advise on the right actions for further improvements. This feedback will be of great value for our strategy, for the organisation of the department, and for achieving the profile of international excellence that we aim for. As Dean of Mechanical Engineering, I would like to express my appreciation for the work of the Assessment Committee. We look forward to receiving their findings, and to putting them into practice in our drive for continuing improvement.