Fields ofemployment,Mechanical engineering is the discipline that applies, and principles to, analyze, manufacture, and maintain. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the.The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including,. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as (CAD), (CAM), and to design and analyze, and, systems, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of.Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the in Europe in the 18th century; however, its development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. In the 19th century, developments in led to the development of mechanical engineering science. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as,. It also overlaps with, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts.
Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of, specifically with, and modelling of biological systems. Main article:The application of mechanical engineering can be seen in the archives of various ancient and medieval societies. In, the works of (287–212 BC) influenced mechanics in the Western tradition and (c.
Mechanical Engineering is a branch of engineering that is concerned with the design and manufacture of machines. It is a large sub-division of. Mechanical Engineering machine includes Lathe, Milling, Drilling, CNC and much more to study. One of the oldest engineering branches which discovers machine.
10–70 AD) created the first steam engine. In, (78–139 AD) improved a and invented a, and (200–265 AD) invented a chariot with gears. The medieval Chinese horologist and engineer (1020–1101 AD) incorporated an mechanism into his two centuries before escapement devices were found in medieval European clocks.
He also invented the world's first known endless power-transmitting.During the (7th to 15th century), made remarkable contributions in the field of mechanical technology., who was one of them, wrote his famous Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices in 1206 and presented many mechanical designs. Al-Jazari is also the first known person to create devices such as the and, which now form the basics of many mechanisms.During the 17th century, important breakthroughs in the foundations of mechanical engineering occurred in. Sir formulated and developed, the mathematical basis of physics. Newton was reluctant to publish his works for years, but he was finally persuaded to do so by his colleagues, such as Sir, much to the benefit of all mankind.
Is also credited with creating Calculus during this time period. During the early 19th century industrial revolution, were developed in England,. This allowed mechanical engineering to develop as a separate field within engineering. They brought with them manufacturing machines and the engines to power them. The first British professional society of mechanical engineers was formed in 1847, thirty years after the civil engineers formed the first such professional society. On the European continent, Johann von Zimmermann (1820–1901) founded the first factory for grinding machines in, Germany in 1848.In the United States, the (ASME) was formed in 1880, becoming the third such professional engineering society, after the (1852) and the (1871).
The first schools in the United States to offer an engineering education were the in 1817, an institution now known as in 1819, and in 1825. Education in mechanical engineering has historically been based on a strong foundation in mathematics and science. Education. Was operated by hand and could efficiently raise water, as the animated red ball demonstrates.Degrees in mechanical engineering are offered at various universities worldwide. Mechanical engineering programs typically take four to five years of study and result in a (B.Eng. Or B.E.), (B.Sc.
Or B.S.), Bachelor of Science Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.), (B.Tech.), Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (B.M.E.), or (B.A.Sc.) degree, in or with emphasis in mechanical engineering. In Spain, Portugal and most of South America, where neither B.S. Programs have been adopted, the formal name for the degree is 'Mechanical Engineer', and the course work is based on five or six years of training. In Italy the course work is based on five years of education, and training, but in order to qualify as an Engineer one has to pass a state exam at the end of the course. In Greece, the coursework is based on a five-year curriculum and the requirement of a 'Diploma' Thesis, which upon completion a 'Diploma' is awarded rather than a B.Sc. In the United States, most mechanical engineering programs are by the (ABET) to ensure similar course requirements and standards among universities.
The ABET web site lists 302 accredited mechanical engineering programs as of 11 March 2014. Mechanical engineering programs in Canada are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB), and most other countries offering engineering degrees have similar accreditation societies.In, mechanical engineering degrees are awarded as Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) or similar nomenclature, although there are an increasing number of specialisations. The degree takes four years of full-time study to achieve. To ensure quality in engineering degrees, accredits engineering degrees awarded by Australian universities in accordance with the global. Before the degree can be awarded, the student must complete at least 3 months of on the job work experience in an engineering firm. Similar systems are also present in South Africa and are overseen by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).In India, to become an engineer, one needs to have an engineering degree like a B.Tech or B.E, have a diploma in engineering, or by completing a course in an engineering trade like fitter from the (ITIs) to receive a 'ITI Trade Certificate' and also pass the All India Trade Test (AITT) with an engineering trade conducted by the National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) by which one is awarded a 'National Trade Certificate'.
A similar system is used in Nepal. Some mechanical engineers go on to pursue a postgraduate degree such as a, (M.Eng.Mgt.
Or M.E.M.), a in engineering (Eng.D. Or Ph.D.) or an. The master's and engineer's degrees may or may not include. The Doctor of Philosophy includes a significant research component and is often viewed as the entry point to.
The Engineer's degree exists at a few institutions at an intermediate level between the master's degree and the doctorate.Coursework Standards set by each country's accreditation society are intended to provide uniformity in fundamental subject material, promote competence among graduating engineers, and to maintain confidence in the engineering profession as a whole. Engineering programs in the U.S., for example, are required by ABET to show that their students can 'work professionally in both thermal and mechanical systems areas.' The specific courses required to graduate, however, may differ from program to program. Further information:, and Salaries and workforce statistics The total number of engineers employed in the U.S. In 2015 was roughly 1.6 million. Of these, 278,340 were mechanical engineers (17.28%), the largest discipline by size.
In 2012, the median annual income of mechanical engineers in the U.S. Workforce was $80,580. The median income was highest when working for the government ($92,030), and lowest in education ($57,090). In 2014, the total number of mechanical engineering jobs was projected to grow 5% over the next decade.
As of 2009, the average starting salary was $58,800 with a bachelor's degree. Subdisciplines The field of mechanical engineering can be thought of as a collection of many mechanical engineering science disciplines. Several of these subdisciplines which are typically taught at the undergraduate level are listed below, with a brief explanation and the most common application of each. Some of these subdisciplines are unique to mechanical engineering, while others are a combination of mechanical engineering and one or more other disciplines. Most work that a mechanical engineer does uses skills and techniques from several of these subdisciplines, as well as specialized subdisciplines.
Specialized subdisciplines, as used in this article, are more likely to be the subject of graduate studies or on-the-job training than undergraduate research. Several specialized subdisciplines are discussed in this section.Mechanics. Main article:Mechanics is, in the most general sense, the study of and their effect upon. Typically, engineering mechanics is used to analyze and predict the acceleration and deformation (both and ) of objects under known forces (also called loads). Subdisciplines of mechanics include., the study of non-moving bodies under known loads, how forces affect static bodies. the study of how forces affect moving bodies. Dynamics includes kinematics (about movement, velocity, and acceleration) and kinetics (about forces and resulting accelerations)., the study of how different materials deform under various types of stress., the study of how fluids react to forces., the study of the motion of bodies (objects) and systems (groups of objects), while ignoring the forces that cause the motion.
Kinematics is often used in the design and analysis of., a method of applying mechanics that assumes that objects are continuous (rather than )Mechanical engineers typically use mechanics in the design or analysis phases of engineering. If the engineering project were the design of a vehicle, statics might be employed to design the frame of the vehicle, in order to evaluate where the stresses will be most intense. Dynamics might be used when designing the car's engine, to evaluate the forces in the and as the engine cycles. Mechanics of materials might be used to choose appropriate materials for the frame and engine. Fluid mechanics might be used to design a ventilation system for the vehicle (see ), or to design the system for the engine.Mechatronics and robotics. Main articles: andMechatronics is a combination of mechanics and electronics.
It is an interdisciplinary branch of mechanical engineering, and that is concerned with integrating electrical and mechanical engineering to create hybrid systems. In this way, machines can be automated through the use of, and other electrical systems in conjunction with special software. A common example of a mechatronics system is a CD-ROM drive. Mechanical systems open and close the drive, spin the CD and move the laser, while an optical system reads the data on the CD and converts it to.
Integrated software controls the process and communicates the contents of the CD to the computer.Robotics is the application of mechatronics to create robots, which are often used in industry to perform tasks that are dangerous, unpleasant, or repetitive. These robots may be of any shape and size, but all are preprogrammed and interact physically with the world.
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To create a robot, an engineer typically employs kinematics (to determine the robot's range of motion) and mechanics (to determine the stresses within the robot).Robots are used extensively in. They allow businesses to save money on labor, perform tasks that are either too dangerous or too precise for humans to perform them economically, and to ensure better quality. Many companies employ of robots, especially in Automotive Industries and some factories are so robotized that they can run.
Outside the factory, robots have been employed in bomb disposal, and many other fields. Robots are also sold for various residential applications, from recreation to domestic applications.Structural analysis. Main articles: andStructural analysis is the branch of mechanical engineering (and also civil engineering) devoted to examining why and how objects fail and to fix the objects and their performance. Structural failures occur in two general modes: static failure, and fatigue failure. Static structural failure occurs when, upon being loaded (having a force applied) the object being analyzed either breaks or is deformed, depending on the criterion for failure. Fatigue failure occurs when an object fails after a number of repeated loading and unloading cycles.
Fatigue failure occurs because of imperfections in the object: a microscopic crack on the surface of the object, for instance, will grow slightly with each cycle (propagation) until the crack is large enough to cause.Failure is not simply defined as when a part breaks, however; it is defined as when a part does not operate as intended. Some systems, such as the perforated top sections of some plastic bags, are designed to break.
If these systems do not break, failure analysis might be employed to determine the cause.Structural analysis is often used by mechanical engineers after a failure has occurred, or when designing to prevent failure. Engineers often use online documents and books such as those published by ASM to aid them in determining the type of failure and possible causes.Once theory is applied to a mechanical design, physical testing is often performed to verify calculated results. Structural analysis may be used in an office when designing parts, in the field to analyze failed parts, or in laboratories where parts might undergo controlled failure tests.Thermodynamics and thermo-science. Main article:is an applied science used in several branches of engineering, including mechanical and chemical engineering.
At its simplest, thermodynamics is the study of energy, its use and transformation through a. Typically, engineering thermodynamics is concerned with changing energy from one form to another. As an example, automotive engines convert chemical energy from the fuel into heat, and then into mechanical work that eventually turns the wheels.Thermodynamics principles are used by mechanical engineers in the fields of,.
Mechanical engineers use thermo-science to design and, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, and others. Design and drafting. Main articles: andor technical drawing is the means by which mechanical engineers design products and create instructions for parts.
A technical drawing can be a computer model or hand-drawn schematic showing all the dimensions necessary to manufacture a part, as well as assembly notes, a list of required materials, and other pertinent information. Mechanical engineer or skilled worker who creates technical drawings may be referred to as a drafter or draftsman. Drafting has historically been a two-dimensional process, but (CAD) programs now allow the designer to create in three dimensions.Instructions for manufacturing a part must be fed to the necessary machinery, either manually, through programmed instructions, or through the use of a (CAM) or combined CAD/CAM program.
Optionally, an engineer may also manually manufacture a part using the technical drawings. However, with the advent of (CNC) manufacturing, parts can now be fabricated without the need for constant technician input. Manually manufactured parts generally consist, surface finishes, and other processes that cannot economically or practically be done by a machine.Drafting is used in nearly every subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, and by many other branches of engineering and architecture. Three-dimensional models created using CAD software are also commonly used in (FEA) and (CFD).Modern tools. An oblique view of a four-cylinder inline crankshaft with pistonsMany mechanical engineering companies, especially those in industrialized nations, have begun to incorporate (CAE) programs into their existing design and analysis processes, including 2D and 3D (CAD). This method has many benefits, including easier and more exhaustive visualization of products, the ability to create virtual assemblies of parts, and the ease of use in designing mating interfaces and tolerances.Other CAE programs commonly used by mechanical engineers include (PLM) tools and analysis tools used to perform complex simulations. Analysis tools may be used to predict product response to expected loads, including fatigue life and manufacturability.
These tools include (FEA), (CFD), and (CAM).Using CAE programs, a mechanical design team can quickly and cheaply iterate the design process to develop a product that better meets cost, performance, and other constraints. No physical prototype need be created until the design nears completion, allowing hundreds or thousands of designs to be evaluated, instead of a relative few. In addition, CAE analysis programs can model complicated physical phenomena which cannot be solved by hand, such as viscoelasticity, complex contact between mating parts, or.As mechanical engineering begins to merge with other disciplines, as seen in, (MDO) is being used with other CAE programs to automate and improve the iterative design process. MDO tools wrap around existing CAE processes, allowing product evaluation to continue even after the analyst goes home for the day. They also utilize sophisticated optimization algorithms to more intelligently explore possible designs, often finding better, innovative solutions to difficult multidisciplinary design problems.Areas of research Mechanical engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is physically possible in order to produce safer, cheaper, and more efficient machines and mechanical systems. Some technologies at the cutting edge of mechanical engineering are listed below (see also ).Micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) Micron-scale mechanical components such as springs, gears, fluidic and heat transfer devices are fabricated from a variety of substrate materials such as silicon, glass and polymers like. Examples of components are the accelerometers that are used as car airbag sensors, modern cell phones, gyroscopes for precise positioning and microfluidic devices used in biomedical applications.Friction stir welding (FSW).
Main article:Friction stir welding, a new type of, was discovered in 1991 by (TWI). The innovative steady state (non-fusion) welding technique joins materials previously un-weldable, including several.
It plays an important role in the future construction of airplanes, potentially replacing rivets. Current uses of this technology to date include welding the seams of the aluminum main Space Shuttle external tank, Orion Crew Vehicle test article, Boeing Delta II and Delta IV Expendable Launch Vehicles and the SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket, armor plating for amphibious assault ships, and welding the wings and fuselage panels of the new Eclipse 500 aircraft from Eclipse Aviation among an increasingly growing pool of uses. Composites. Main article:Composites or composite materials are a combination of materials which provide different physical characteristics than either material separately. Composite material research within mechanical engineering typically focuses on designing (and, subsequently, finding applications for) stronger or more rigid materials while attempting to reduce, susceptibility to corrosion, and other undesirable factors. Carbon fiber reinforced composites, for instance, have been used in such diverse applications as spacecraft and fishing rods.Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of mechanical engineering, and software engineering.
The discipline of mechatronics began as a way to combine mechanical principles with electrical engineering. Mechatronic concepts are used in the majority of electro-mechanical systems. Typical electro-mechanical sensors used in mechatronics are strain gauges, thermocouples, and pressure transducers.Nanotechnology. Main article:Finite Element Analysis is a computational tool used to estimate stress, strain, and deflection of solid bodies. It uses a mesh setup with user-defined sizes to measure physical quantities at a node. The more nodes there are, the higher the precision.
This field is not new, as the basis of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) or Finite Element Method (FEM) dates back to 1941. But the evolution of computers has made FEA/FEM a viable option for analysis of structural problems. Many commercial codes such as, and are widely used in industry for research and the design of components. Some 3D modeling and CAD software packages have added FEA modules.
In the recent times, cloud simulation platforms like are becoming more common.Other techniques such as finite difference method (FDM) and finite-volume method (FVM) are employed to solve problems relating heat and mass transfer, fluid flows, fluid surface interaction, etc.Biomechanics. Main article:Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles to biological systems, such as,. Biomechanics also aids in creating prosthetic limbs and artificial organs for humans. Biomechanics is closely related to, because it often uses traditional engineering sciences to analyze biological systems.
Some simple applications of and/or can supply correct approximations to the mechanics of many biological systems.In the past decade, reverse engineering of materials found in nature such as bone matter has gained funding in academia. The structure of bone matter is optimized for its purpose of bearing a large amount of compressive stress per unit weight. The goal is to replace crude steel with bio-material for structural design.Over the past decade the (FEM) has also entered the Biomedical sector highlighting further engineering aspects of Biomechanics.
FEM has since then established itself as an alternative to surgical assessment and gained the wide acceptance of academia. The main advantage of Computational Biomechanics lies in its ability to determine the endo-anatomical response of an anatomy, without being subject to ethical restrictions. This has led FE modelling to the point of becoming ubiquitous in several fields of Biomechanics while several projects have even adopted an open source philosophy (e.g.
BioSpine).Computational fluid dynamics. Main article:Computational fluid dynamics, usually abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with surfaces defined by boundary conditions. With high-speed supercomputers, better solutions can be achieved.
Ongoing research yields software that improves the accuracy and speed of complex simulation scenarios such as turbulent flows. Initial validation of such software is performed using a wind tunnel with the final validation coming in full-scale testing, e.g. Flight tests.Acoustical engineering. Main article:Acoustical engineering is one of many other sub-disciplines of mechanical engineering and is the application of acoustics. Acoustical engineering is the study of. These engineers work effectively to reduce in mechanical devices and in buildings by soundproofing or removing sources of unwanted noise. The study of acoustics can range from designing a more efficient hearing aid, microphone, headphone, or recording studio to enhancing the sound quality of an orchestra hall.
Acoustical engineering also deals with the vibration of different mechanical systems. Related fields , and are grouped with mechanical engineering at times.
A bachelor's degree in these areas will typically have a difference of a few specialized classes.See also.