Introduction of Mechanical Engineering

Introduction of Mechanical Engineering
1. What is Engineering?
- The word “engineering” derives from the Latin root “ingeniere”, meaning to design or to
devise
- Engineers apply their knowledge of mathematics, science, and materials—as well as their
skills in communications and business—to develop new and better technologies.
- U.S. Department of Labor summarizes the engineering profession as follows:
Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research and
develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between
perceived social needs and commercial applications. Engineers design products, machinery
to build those products, plants in which those products are made, and the systems that
ensure the quality of the products and the efficiency of the workforce and manufacturing
process. Engineers design, plan, and supervise the construction of buildings, highways, and
transit systems. They develop and implement improved ways to extract, process, and use
raw materials, such as petroleum and natural gas. They develop new materials that both
improve the performance of products and take advantage of advances in technology. They
harness the power of the sun, the Earth, atoms, and electricity for use in supplying the
Nation’s power needs, and create millions of products using power. They analyze the impact
of the products they develop or the systems they design on the environment and on people
using them. Engineering knowledge is applied to improving many things, including the
quality of healthcare, the safety of food products, and the operation of financial systems.
2. Who is Mechancial Engineering?
The field of mechanical engineering encompasses the properties of forces, materials, energy,
fluids, and motion, as well as the application of those elements to devise products that advance
society and improve people’s lives.
The U.S. Department of Labor describes the profession as follows:

Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines,
machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing machines such as
electricity-producing generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and jet
and rocket engines. They also develop power using machines such as refrigeration and air-
conditioning equipment, robots used in manufacturing, machine tools, materials handling
systems, and industrial production equipment.
3. Career Paths
Mechanical engineers can:
• Design and analyze any component, material, module, or system for the next generation of
automobiles
• Design and analyze medical devices, including aids for the disabled, surgical and diagnostic
equipment, prosthetics, and artifi cial organs
• Design and analyze efficient refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning systems
• Design and analyze the power and heat dissipation systems for any number of mobile
computing and networking devices
• Design and analyze advanced urban transportation and vehicle safety systems
• Design and analyze sustainable forms of energy that are more readily accessible by nations,
states, cities, villages, and people groups
• Design and analyze the next generation of space exploration systems
• Design and analyze revolutionary manufacturing equipment and automated assembly lines
for a wide range of consumer products
• Manage a diverse team of engineers in the development of a global product platform,

identifying customer, market, and product opportunities
• Provide consultant services to any number of industries, including chemical, plastics, and
rubber manufacturing; petroleum and coal production; computer and electronic products; food
and beverage production; printing and publishing; utilities; and service providers
• Work in public service for such governmental agencies as the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, Department of Defense, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Environmental Protection Agency, and national research laboratories
• Teach mathematics, physics, science, or engineering at the high school, 2-year college, or 4-
year university level
• Pursue significant careers in law, medicine, social work, business, sales, or finance.
4. Job Position
• Product engineer • Product applications engineer
• Design engineer • Mechanical product engineer
• Systems engineer • Mechanical device engineer
• Power engineer • Energy efficiency engineer
• Manufacturing engineer • Process development engineer
• Packaging engineer • Mechatronics engineer
• Renewable energy consultant • Principal engineer
• Electro-mechanical engineer • Project capture engineer
• Applications engineer • Sales engineer
• Facilities design engineer • Plant engineer
5. Typical Mechanical Engineering Curriculum
6. Monitoring progress during your studies:

a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
Since World War II, science has been a mainstay of engineering education, and mechanical
engineering students have traditionally studied mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
Mechanical engineers set up and perform experiments, use state-ofthe art measurement
equipment, and interpret the physical implications of the test’s results.
c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic
constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety,
manufacturability, and sustainability.
This skill is the core of mechanical engineering. Engineers are trained to conceive solutions
to open-ended technical problems and to prepare a detailed, functional, safe,
environmentally friendly, and profi table design.
d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.

Mechanical engineering is not an individual activity, and you will need to demonstrate the
skills necessary to interact effectively with others in the business community.
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

Engineering is firmly based on mathematical and scientifi c principles, but it also involves
creativity and innovation to design something new. Engineers are often described as
problem solvers who can confront an unfamiliar situation and develop a clear solution.
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

Through your courses and personal experiences, you will see that engineers have a
responsibility to act professionally and ethically. Engineers need to recognize ethical and
business confl icts and resolve them with integrity when they arise.
g. An ability to communicate effectively.

Engineers are expected to be competent in both written and verbal communication,
including the presentation of engineering calculations, computations, measurement results,
and designs.
h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global
economic, environmental, and societal context.
Engineers create products, systems, and services that potentially impact millions of people
across the globe. A mechanical engineer who is aware of that context is able to make sound
technical, ethical, and career decisions.
i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.

“Educate” does not mean to fi ll up with facts; rather, it means to “bring out.” Therefore,
your intellectual growth should continue to bring out new knowledge and understanding
long after you graduate
j. A knowledge of contemporary issues.

Engineers need to be aware of social, global, environmental, economic, and political
developments that are of current importance, since they provide the context for the
technical problems that a society faces and that engineers are expected to solve.
k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
This skill is based in part on using computeraided engineering software tools and the ability
to think critically about numerical results.
Summary :
 Simply stated, engineers conceive, design, and build things that work and impact lives.
 Engineers are regarded as being good problem solvers who can clearly communicate the results
of their work to others through drawings, written reports, and verbal presentations.
 Mechanical engineering is a diverse discipline, and it is generally regarded as being the most
flexible of the traditional engineering fields.
 To accomplish those achievements, mechanical engineers use computer-aided software tools
for designing, simulating, and manufacturing.

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Introduction of Mechanical Engineering

The U.S. Department of Labor describes the profession as follows:

Mechanical engineers can:

• Design and analyze efficient refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning systems

• Design and analyze the next generation of space exploration systems

• Manage a diverse team of engineers in the development of a global product platform,

• Product engineer • Product applications engineer

• Design engineer • Mechanical product engineer

• Systems engineer • Mechanical device engineer

• Power engineer • Energy efficiency engineer

• Manufacturing engineer • Process development engineer

• Packaging engineer • Mechatronics engineer

• Renewable energy consultant • Principal engineer

• Electro-mechanical engineer • Project capture engineer

• Applications engineer • Sales engineer

• Facilities design engineer • Plant engineer

5. Typical Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

6. Monitoring progress during your studies:

d. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.

e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.

f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

g. An ability to communicate effectively.

i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.

j. A knowledge of contemporary issues.

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