Mechanical Definition and 1000 Threads

Mechanical engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge and analytical tools to complete the difficult task of shaping an idea into reality.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the Industrial Revolution 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 physics 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 composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology. It also overlaps with aerospace engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts. Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of biomedical engineering, specifically with biomechanics, transport phenomena, biomechatronics, bionanotechnology, and modelling of biological systems.

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  1. A

    Mechanical Strength of Black Iron Pipe

    If you were to mate a 1 ½” black iron pipe to a 1 ¼” black iron pipe using a 1 ½” coupling and a bushing reducer, how much bending torque would be needed before one of the parts or connections failed? That is, if you held the 1 ½” black iron pipe in a fixed position and the applied a force to...
  2. A

    Solving a Mechanical Engineering Problem: AISI 1020 HR Steel Shaft

    Hey. This is my first post, I'm a Senior in Mechanical Engineering, I will help others as far as I can. I'm trying to solve the problem from the picture. The shaft is loaded with 2 transverse loads, 2 moments and 2 torques. The critical point is immediately to the left of "B". The material is...
  3. M

    Mechanical engineering so many Choices?

    Hello all, I am a pre-junior mechanical engineering student at Drexel University. I am a non traditional student working on my second bachelors and absolutely love it. I find myself amazed by the fact at my age (33) I have the opportunity to study full time. I will just say for anyone...
  4. A

    Mechanical Bending Moment and Rod Deformation Calculations

    Homework Statement A) A circular rod is subjected to a bending moment of 315Nm. What is the minimum diameter of the rod required so that the maximum stress does not exceed 200N/mm2? B) If the Modulus of Elasticity for the material from which the rod is made of is 100kN/mm2, what radius...
  5. T

    Electrical engineering or mechanical engineering

    Hello name is Thomas and I know I want to be an engineer. I am just torn between becoming an electrical engineer or a mechanical engineer. I know the term engineer covers many fields but I was just wondering if maybe someone could give me there opinion. If there are any engineers that could...
  6. A

    How do mechanical processes depend from the speed of light?

    For example, as well known the period of the pendulum is (in linear approximation): T \approx 2\pi \sqrt\frac{L}{g} \,. So, no speed of light appears explicitly. What I'm wondering however is if and how it might be implicit? In the sense that after all the tension in the rod depends from...
  7. J

    Career Advice for Mechanical Engineering

    Hi Everyone, I am at a road block in my life where I have no idea what to do next in terms of my career plans. I graduated with a Bachelors in Biochemistry, and recently, I realized there was nothing that spoke to me within this field which I could obtain as a career. I looked into...
  8. D

    Questions for a Mechanical Engineer from a High School Student

    Hello, I am a high school student and am trying to complete an assignment to interview someone in a career field I am interested in - mechanical engineering. Would anyone be willing to answer these questions for me? A PM would be fine if you can. I really appreciate it! What are your...
  9. T

    Cesium Atom quantum mechanical description

    Hello guys, I need the quantum mechanical description of the Cesium atom/gas with its hyperfine states, and preferably with some density matrix. I don't really know where to start my search. I googled a lot, and looked for articles and books, but failed. Any help is highly appreciated...
  10. A

    Mechanical advantage of a crane

    Consider the following picture, where the same platform and man is being lifted by a crane and by the man standing the platform, who can pull on a rope connected to a pulley in the ceiling. My question is: Does the scenario in which the man has the pulley have a mechanical advantage over the...
  11. 0

    Engineering Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

    Hi guys, I'm currently completing my first year of Engineering. Program selection forms are due in a few days and I am stuck between Electrical and Mechanical engineering. I want a broad-based education that will allow me to pursue just about anything if I prefer to. I have spoken to many...
  12. S

    Engineering Mechanical Engineers: How much writing do you do?

    Hi! Right now I'm in my 2nd year of Mechanical Engineering. The only three ME classes I'm taking are Fluids/Thermo I, Mechanisms, and ME Lab I. I don't particularly like the first two, but I'm doing fairly well in them and they give me something to do. However, the lab is killing me. Every two...
  13. A

    Mechanical to Electrical Energy Project: Urgent Help Needed

    Greetings. My friends and I are working on a "mechanical to electrical energy" project, and we're facing a huge problem with the basic design of our system. Basically, we wanted to make use of a system where a person would 'step on' a pedal or a tile, whatever you may want to call it, which...
  14. S

    What are the major areas of study in a Mechanical Engineering Degree?

    Hello, I am interested in finding out what are the primary fields of study for a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I also want to know how these fields of study fit together. If anyone can help, please contact me. Thank you.
  15. D

    What Are the Best Mechanical Pencils for Durability and Quality Under $20?

    I recently have made the switch to mechanical pencils from old fashioned ones. I have to say I'm really enjoying them and my handwriting has improved (I used to write very hard and dark). I find that I really enjoy this particular kind...
  16. V

    Intuitive statistical mechanical explanation for thermodynamic 2nd law

    I don't have the intuitive picture of thermodynamic 2nd law, in terms of statistical mechanics. That is, why should the number of microstates be maximized in equilibrium? Anyone gives an intuitive explanation? Thanks a lot.
  17. L

    Engineering The suitable options for a fresh graduate Mechanical Engineer

    Dear Gentlemen, I am a fresh graduate mechanical engineer and I live in Bahrain (middle east) and usually, the positions required in the companies are limited. I want to ask you which of the given positions is preferred for a fresh Mechanical Engineer, most applicable for what I studied, because...
  18. 8

    Can I Transition from Civil to Mechanical Engineering with a Low GPA?

    Greetings, I'm currently a month away from obtaining my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. My school (Located in CA) carries a decent rank within the engineering community and, from my experience, has a fairly solid curriculum. My issue is that I spent my first two years as an...
  19. M

    Mechanical, Electrical Engineering and the Future

    Hi, I'm currently a mechanical engineering major, and I'm looking for your input about the future of mechanical and electrical engineering. I'll start off by saying that I've always been interested in dynamics, energy, and how moving things work (vehicles, etc). With electric car motors and...
  20. T

    Questions on the responsibilities of a mechanical engineer.

    Hello, my name is Thomas and I am very interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. I am an engine tranny tech at a automotive shop and I am very mechanically inclined. I was wondering if there are any mechanical or electrical engineers that could give me a detailed description of what they...
  21. M

    Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering?

    Hi everyone, I just got my Journeyman ticket as a heavy duty mechanic and finally amassed enough money to go back to school. I want to get a bachelors degree in either Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. The choice is haunting me I don't no what to do. I think I would be happy in either...
  22. G

    ANSYS Workbench: Importing a load into Mechanical from external data

    I have modeled a curved surface to which I need to applied forces defined in a Excel csv sheet. I have successfully created an external data box in the project schematic and tried to import the load into mechanical. The load file I have resembles: X Y Load 0.3...
  23. B

    Mechanical engineer's kVA question

    Hi all. I'm a mechanical engineer by training and a manufacturing engineer by trade. I currently find myself in the position of being asked to fill out a spreadsheet containing, amongst other things, machine tools' power consumption in kVA. Occasionally an OEM will be helpful and provide...
  24. H

    : Finding Mechanical Energy, Velocity, and Height

    URGENT: Finding Mechanical Energy, Velocity, and Height Homework Statement http://www.mrfizix.com/home/energy_files/image051.gifHomework Equations E0=EF PE=mgh KE=(1/2)mv2 The Attempt at a Solution I understand how to get the potential and kinetic energy values but I'm confused as to how to...
  25. J

    Mechanical vibrations, force applied to the armature

    Homework Statement FYI - I don't have any knowledge on the mechanical aspects of electric motors. you're given a 400 hp electric motor that needs to run at varying rpms. The armature is 1200 lbs and is 800mm long with a diameter of 500 mm. the air gap that exists is 2.5 mm. At 800 rpm the air...
  26. M

    Mechanical Advantage Question - Ropes

    I have to take an aptitude test that I have taken before and there are a couple questions that are stumping me. My first question I want to ask about deals with ropes / strings. It has an old-timey picture of a boy carrying books wrapped up in string and then attached to a stick and thrown...
  27. J

    Finding Transfer Functions for Mechanical Systems

    Hi guys I'm an electrical engineer and we're currently doing some control stuff which involves mechanical systems. I'm having particular trouble with a two body problem, I understand how to do the free body diagram and get the equations of motion, but I'm not sure how to get the transfer...
  28. V

    Relationship Between Kinetic Friction and Mechanical Energy

    Homework Statement Which of the following statements about friction is correct? I. Kinetic friction always decreases the mechanical energy of a system. II. The static friction force cannot change the mechanical energy of a system. III. The force of friction always points in the direction...
  29. B

    Courses Choice of 2 options for Mechanical Engineering Course - Vibrations or Mechanisms

    Good evening, I am unsure as to whether or not I am posting this question in the apropraite section of the this forum and apologize if I am not. With that said I will let you in on the question that I have for you tonight. I am currently a fourth year undergraduate student pursuing a...
  30. T

    Efficiency Calculation for Mechanical System with Incomplete Information

    Homework Statement Hey I've attached the question. My main problem is figuring out how to start. Homework Equations not exactly sure, PE=mgh? efficiency= used power/total power *100 = used power/ 2950 * 100... The Attempt at a Solution i calculated the potential energy...
  31. K

    Make a Mechanical Timer: Spring vs Counterweight

    Hi, I am thinking of making a mechanical timer to control a pedestal fan. I want do a completely mechanical one, just for the feel of it. For the energy storage method, I have two options, either a spiral spring or a counterweight. Which one should I use? Any good reading material on this...
  32. K

    Control and Vibration of mechanical systems

    Homework Statement So I have this question given to me, basically there is a aero simulator which makes the ground shake so the data logger gets false readings, now to solve this problem a vibration absorption system has been added. Please see the attached System A.png file for the complete...
  33. B

    Mechanical Engineering Placement Thermodynamics Problem

    Hi all I am struggling with this classs example A pump compressing hydrogen from a low pressure to a high pressure tank where the tanks pressure is constant and H2 is an ideal gas. Hydrogen: (H2: MW = 2, Cv = 10 kJ/kgK) Low pressure tank: (P = 4 bar, T = 30oC) High pressure tank: (P = 100...
  34. T

    Good (free) resource for learning basic mechanical engineering

    Hi there, I'm a biomedical engineering undergrad currently enrolled in an university whose engineering program is about as masochistic as any other. I'm doing pretty damn well in all my classes not named "biomechanics", which I attribute to my continued inability to learn much of anything at the...
  35. I

    Difference between Mechanical and Electrical engineer?

    Hey I want to study Engineering in college, but I'm not sure which field to go into.. Can you list some differences between the two, such as strengths needed, what each type does, etc...
  36. E

    Is PUSHING a wagon mechanical advantage?

    Hi all. So as we know the wheel can be a form of mechanical advantage. If I were to spin a wheel from its circumference and a rope was attached to its [smaller] axle, I would be applying less force per distance than is outputted on the axle. (I may have worded that funny but its not important...
  37. Femme_physics

    How can a single electrical motor control a robot? or even a mechanical arm?

    So an electrical motor converts electrical energy to mechanical one. But an electric motor can just produce a single motion in of itself. How come connecting a mechanical arm to it allows a diversity of movements like rotation, verticial and horizontal motions to both directions!?
  38. S

    Engineering Strongly considering changing from Mechanical to Civil Engineering. Need help

    Hi! I'm currently a second-semester sophomore in Mechanical Engineering. Right now I hate pretty much all of my classes. I'm currently in Intro to Fluids/Thermo (used to be Fluids I and Thermo I, now combined), Machines and Mechanisms, and Mechanical Engineering lab I (and gen ed garbage, but...
  39. Z

    Mechanical apptitude to suggest the direction of action.

    hi .. Homework Statement we have this gear system (we put an equal weight W).where will the action like A or like B direction? http://data.imagup.com/11/1146214320.jpg thanks for you suggestion.
  40. Z

    Some of mechanical apptitude test

    hi everybody.. Homework Statement we gave a force to this system (shwon in image) direction to the left;what will happen to this system (toothed axe) will move to the left or to the right or will be jammed? http://data.imagup.com/10/1146213664.jpg thanks for your help and.
  41. N

    Mechanical Waves On a String - Speed, Amplitude, and Power

    Homework Statement A string of mass 38.5g and length 5.60m is secured so that it is under tension of 220N. A wave with frequency 178 Hz travels on the string. Find the speed of the wave and the amplitude of the wave if it transmits power of 140 Watts. The Given answers are: 179 m/s and 1.35 cm...
  42. S

    Motion in circles mechanical engineering

    first time guys. i have a disc with a bearing and a shaft through it. the disc is rotating in simple harmonic motion with a dynamic force of 14400N and speed of 2.43 rpm. i need to use electromagnets to stop this disc from rotating. questions. -where or can can i get electromagnets to stop...
  43. D

    How Do You Calculate Angle and Velocity in Particle Motion Analysis?

    Homework Statement the position "r" of a moving particle moving in an xy plane is given by r=(2.00(t^3) -5t)î+ (6.00-7.00(t^4) )j with r in meters and t in seconds. In unit notation calculate: A) R B) Velocity C) R when t is 25 seconds What is the able between the positive direction of the...
  44. H

    Taking mechanical physics next fall

    Right now I am taking conceptual physics which is the most basic physics class my college offers. I am taking Calculus 1 right now and plan to take calculus 2 in the summer (2 month course). So do you think calc 1 and 2 will be enough to be prepared for mech physics? Or do you think i...
  45. S

    Questioning the law of conservation of mechanical energy

    I found something interesting in the law of conservation of mechanical energy related with rotational kinetic energy. The law states that: ME = KE(translational) + KE(rotational) + PE *ME = Mechanical Energy *KE = Kinetic Energy *PE = Potential Energy It was stated that the above law...
  46. S

    Engineering Engineering Physics vs. Mechanical Engineering

    Hey forum Which one can be considered "better" and why? I'm inclining towards Engineering Physics for my master of science in engineering, but I haven't really looked into mechanical engineering and was wondering what the forum has to say about it.
  47. A

    Calculating Mechanical Energy Lost to Friction on Ski Slope

    Homework Statement How much mechanical energy is lost to friction if a 58.1-kg skier slides down a ski slope at constant speed of 12.1 m/s? The slope is 122.3 m long and makes an angle of 10.3° with respect to the horizontal. Homework Equations Emec=KE+PE The Attempt at a Solution...
  48. M

    Mechanical Final year project for 3 person

    Can help me with any idea what topic that suitable for 3 person in Mechanical Final Year Project? I am more with "design" and "built" mechanical parts.
  49. G

    Basic Question in Mechanical Engineering

    In this question and solution: http://imgur.com/Z8DMo Why is it that when we examine the bar BCD, the force exerted by the bar AD, TAD , is not considered in the free body diagram, but when you examine the bar DFG, it is considered in the free body diagram?
  50. R

    Mechanical Advantage of a four bar linkage.

    I'm doing a project outside of school and I need some help with the mechanical advantage of a four bar linkage. Ideally I want to have a torsion spring attached to the frontward most arm so that I can load the linkage and have it fling forwards. I want to use a servo to load the spring which i...
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