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what tools do you require in Mechanical Engineering?
What other advice would you have for me.
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Rich’s Answer
In addition to the list in Dennis’ response, I would add a desire to solve problems and an understanding of the digital engineering / Model Based Systems Engineering tools such as Cameo. Although the software tools will change, Digital Engineering is definitely the future of engineering. Right now industry is struggling to find / train people to use the new MBSE digital tools so you will definitely have a job waiting for you if you can become proficient in them.
Your personal tool set has to also include detail-oriented mindset since complex problems require an understanding of the specifics of each component and system that will be integrated together. And, it helps to be able to work well with others since almost all projects are team efforts. Good luck!
Your personal tool set has to also include detail-oriented mindset since complex problems require an understanding of the specifics of each component and system that will be integrated together. And, it helps to be able to work well with others since almost all projects are team efforts. Good luck!
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Dennis’s Answer
Hello Nelson! That's an Interesting Question. Many years ago, a good engineer might also be a good draftsman, since he/she usually had to make drawings of the parts in the system he was working on. Today, we have CAD, CAM, 3-D modeling, and much more computing power, so we don't really need drawing instruments (but they are still fun to use sometimes). Another tool that is now out of date is the Slide Rule. Before PC's and cell phones and calculators, we had the slide rule to perform most math functions ( but, strangely, NOT addition and subtraction - well, actually, the Slide Rule adds or subtracts logarithms - but that's a story for another time). But, you could multiply and divide, do square roots, cube roots and logarithms and all the trig functions.
The two MOST IMPORTANT tools are still the same today, however. 1) Your Brain; 2) Mathematical models of physical systems. Along with those two are to be able to Communicate, and be a Team Member.
I can't really describe how your brain works, but it must be able to look at problems from different perspectives and understand the relationship(s) between elements of the system. Ultimately, your brain decides what to focus on to solve a problem in the system. So, one skill of the Brain is to understand and Solve Problems. To do that, the Brain must decide what physical principles are important, and then figure out what models (or equations) can be used to analyze the problem.
The Mathematical Models are what you learn in your engineering courses. Actually, what we learn is HOW to develop those mathematical models. We take simple physical systems and learn how to describe them in mathmatical terms using diagrams and Greek letters. If we work long and hard at it, we may develop a simulation of a system. That is handy, because then we can change the parameters to investigate different options for our system. Then we go back to the Brain to decide which combination of choices are best for our situation.
I wish you success in filling up your toolbox, Nelson! Have a fun time while you are doing that.
The two MOST IMPORTANT tools are still the same today, however. 1) Your Brain; 2) Mathematical models of physical systems. Along with those two are to be able to Communicate, and be a Team Member.
I can't really describe how your brain works, but it must be able to look at problems from different perspectives and understand the relationship(s) between elements of the system. Ultimately, your brain decides what to focus on to solve a problem in the system. So, one skill of the Brain is to understand and Solve Problems. To do that, the Brain must decide what physical principles are important, and then figure out what models (or equations) can be used to analyze the problem.
The Mathematical Models are what you learn in your engineering courses. Actually, what we learn is HOW to develop those mathematical models. We take simple physical systems and learn how to describe them in mathmatical terms using diagrams and Greek letters. If we work long and hard at it, we may develop a simulation of a system. That is handy, because then we can change the parameters to investigate different options for our system. Then we go back to the Brain to decide which combination of choices are best for our situation.
I wish you success in filling up your toolbox, Nelson! Have a fun time while you are doing that.
Updated
Soumya’s Answer
The major tools for a Mechanical Engineer are initial sketches and physics based tools for motion, stress, and thermal fields in a system. That is a good place to start. All these have their analogues in the computer; that is where computer aided design and computer-aided simulations come into play. Finally, you need to use computer-aided machining (similar tools) to ensure that your design can be manufactured.
If you want to make a career as a generalist in industry, then you need to have knowledge of all these domains to a certain level. In the current industry, you can be a specialist in these domains as well and pave your career. Once you come up with an initial design using the initial calculations, then you use computer aided tools to verify and optimize, depending on the available time and facilities.
If you want to make a career as a generalist in industry, then you need to have knowledge of all these domains to a certain level. In the current industry, you can be a specialist in these domains as well and pave your career. Once you come up with an initial design using the initial calculations, then you use computer aided tools to verify and optimize, depending on the available time and facilities.