RUAN Xueyu (1933.1-2019.2) is a pioneer of cold extrusion technology in China, a well-known expert of plastic forming and digital manufacturing technology, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, member of the 10th Central Committee of the Jiu-San Society and professor of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Professor Ruan is the founder of the Department of Plasticity Technology of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (currently the Institute of Forming Technology and Equipment), National Engineering Research Center of Die & Mold CAD, and Shanghai Research Institute of Tool & Die Technology.

Professor Ruan, ancestrally from Zhongshan of Guangdong province, was born in Shanghai in January of 1933. He graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Jiao Tong University in 1953 and then worked there as a teacher. From 1954 to 1956, he studied at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Tsinghua University. He was a teacher in Jiao Tong University - Xi'an campus in 1958 and then returned back to Jiao Tong University - Shanghai Campus which was renamed as Shanghai Jiao Tong University since 1959. In 1978, Professor Ruan was awarded Nationwide Personal Excellence in Science and Technology and promoted professor position directly from lecturer in 1980. In 1983, he established Shanghai Research Institute of Tool & Die Technology, and served as director. The institute was supported by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Second Bureau of Light Industry and Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. He joined Jiu San Society in the same year. Professor Ruan was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1994, and was approved in 1995 to establish the National Engineering Research Center for Die & Mold CAD. In 1997, he was elected as a member of the 10th Central Committee of Jiu San Society. He has successively served as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a member of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. In addition, Professor Ruan has ever served as President of the Forging and Pressing Branch of the Chinese Society of Mechanical Engineering, Vice President of the China Die & Mould Industry Association, Director of the National Engineering Research Center for Die & Mold CAD, Director of the National Digital Manufacturing Technology Center, Director of the National Die & Mold Technology Center, and President of the Technical Committee of the National Engineering Laboratory of Digital Shipbuilding, Honorary Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Former Dean of the Department of Plasticity Technology. He was also an Adjunct Professor of Tsinghua University, Honorary Professor of Kumamoto University in Japan, Chair of the Cold Forging Technology of UNESCO, and Member of the International Cold Forging Society (ICFG).

Professor Ruan is the first people in the world to establish the theory of allowable deformation degree for cold extrusion and the first people in China to develop cold extrusion technology of ferrous metals. Professor Ruan contributed greatly to the development of precision forging theory and technology in China. He authored 4 monographs including "Cold Extrusion Technology", and won 9 awards from national and provincial governments. He pioneered the research, development and application of CAD/CAE/CAM and artificial intelligence technology in the field of plastic processing and mold technology, and leaded to complete more than 400 scientific research projects. Under his leadership, the technical services of his team covered more than 20 provinces in China and extended to many countries and regions. Professor Ruan with his team established more than 30 joint research laboratories and joint research centers with world-renowned enterprises and institutions from the United States, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland ,etc. These extensive and long-term cooperation brought significant influence to the world.

As a grandmaster in the field of plastic processing, Professor RUAN Xueyu has supervised more than 100 doctoral students, 8 postdoctoral research fellows, and published more than 200 academic papers. He has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of plastic forming and digital manufacturing technology and talent cultivation in China.