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. M

    Going back to school for Mechanical Engineering

    Hello Everyone, I am debating on going to college for mechanical engineering. I am currently 21 years old working as a technician for a Toyota dealership making 15 dollars an hour(averaging 80 hours a week). I went to school for automotive mechanics at a tech school(20k in student loans, still...
  2. T

    Mechanical Principals - Drive belt tension and load torque

    Question One What would be the effect on the following if the load torque is increased and the speed maintains constant (give reasons for your answer): A. the tension in the tight side of the belt B. the tension in the slack side of the belt C. the power transmitted. Not sure on how to solve...
  3. Davidkippy

    Should Aerodynamics Fundamentals Precede Compressible Aerodynamics?

    I'm going to be an aerospace/mechanical engineering student at UAH next year and I am coming up with my four year plan. Two courses, "fundamentals of aerodynamics" and "compressible aerodynamics", are not prerequisites for each other, and they are both required. Based on your experience with...
  4. T

    Mechanical Principals -- Strain guages mounted on a cylinder

    Can anyone ratify if my answer is correct for the below. I've attached.
  5. PeppaPig

    Finding the Maximum Mass Ratio for Elastic Collisions: A Quick Homework Problem

    Homework Statement Both object A and B have mass M and are moving. An object with mass of m and moving with velocity u collide with the object B elastically. (m < M) Find the following after m collide with B 1) Velocity of m after bouncing back 2) Velocity of B Then m collide with A and bounce...
  6. PeppaPig

    Mechanical problem -- a mass sliding down a curved ramp

    Homework Statement An object which has mass = m is released from point A which has height of h. The object moves along the rail with no friction. The rail OB is a semicircular rail which C is the center and R is the radius. If the object falls from the rail at the point B, find the following...
  7. Nikhil Rajagopalan

    Do SI Units Eliminate the Need for Mechanical Equivalent of Heat?

    When computing the rise in temperature on a body due to mechanical work, if we stick to using SI units, do we need the conversion factor called mechanical equivalent of heat. That is, can we readily equate W = Q and hence W = m x C x ΔT . Where 'm' is the mass of the substance on which work is...
  8. Beamer21dc

    Engineering I want out of Mechanical Engineering

    Hi, First, let me tell you about myself: 1.) I have a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics with a mechanical focus. 2.) I have been working as a mechanical engineer for 3 years at 3 different places. 3.) My work mostly consists of product design, detailed drawings and working in a machine...
  9. K

    Side kick on a falling object, mechanical energy and work

    If an object with 1kg mass falls free (no air drag), from 100 meters high, and the gravitational acceleration is 9.81, then the mechanical energy will be: 1*9.81*100 = 981 joules. The work the gravitational force does on the object will be: 9.81N*100m = 981 joules. Another object with same...
  10. Anonymous123451234

    Conservation of mechanical energy

    Derive equation v= √((2gh)/(1+.5(m/M)(r/R)^2)) by applying conservation of mechanical energy. A string is attached to a hanging mass and wrapped around a small cylinder. The hanging mass is released from rest from an initial height (h) and accelerates to the floor. The theoretical velocity (v)...
  11. A

    Struggling In Mechanical Engineering School Need Advice/Help

    I am currently about half done with my degree for a bs in Mechanical engineering from U of M. I transferred from a community college and I took all of my gen eds there like the English, history, econ, philosophy. I am in my second semester and am struggling with the physics and math mainly. I...
  12. T

    What exactly is mechanical energy?

    Regards my question is the following. I know that mechanical energy is considered as a sum of potential and kinetic energy. But I still do not understand exactly what is the mechanical energy.Whether kinetic energy and potential energy are forms of mechanical energy or that the kinetic and...
  13. powdernose

    Mechanical Advantage in a crank system

    I am not a student btw, this is seeking extra knowledge regarding a hobby of mine, and it has been too long since I've tried to solve a physics problem. 1. Homework Statement I have the above system in which Lever L (200mm) applies force to a crank D (diameter 33mm), which has a reverse...
  14. F

    Modeling a mechanical power system

    I'm working on modeling a basic mechanical power system for a video game project. The transfer system consists of meshing gears, belts, and axles/shafts which can have basic clutches that engage/disengage. There are also power producers (hand crank, windmills, water wheels, turbines) and...
  15. A

    Mechanical gyroscopes -- still used in airplanes?

    I was a bit unsure where to post this, but this one seemed fitting enough. I was wondering about the state of gyros in airplanes, like which type is being used today. Are they all optik/fiber-based or are there mechanical gyroscopes at work. (By mechanical i mean the standard spinning wheel, not...
  16. F

    Mechanical equivalents of electronic things?

    Only recently, just 2-3 years ago, I discovered Mechanical TV, Mechanical amplifier. I was pleasantly surprised. Mechanical TV was invented by Beard. Mechanical amplifier uses air pump to amplify the sound, completely avoiding any electronics. Also, it seems there exists mechanical frequency...
  17. T

    How does an electric motor convert electrical energy to mechanical energy?

    how does electric motor convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. Hello I do not understand the following electric power is P = V * I electric motors operate on the principle of repulsion and attraction of magnetism. What confuses me where that power ends because as far as I know, the...
  18. G

    Mechanical Engineering Thesis Topic Suggestion

    Hi, I study Applied Mechanics and I'm in the last year of my study. I try to find some interesting topic for my master's thesis that will be at least a little innovative. Topics offered by my university are unfortunately quite usual and "old-fashioned". And I want to do something a little bit...
  19. C

    Mechanical energy of a block sliding on a circular path

    Homework Statement ( The following problem is taken from kleppner's " Introduction to mechanics" ) ( The question in the book talks about the velocity but my confusion is related to the Energy ) Homework Equations Conservation of Mechanical energy : Ef - Ei = 0 Consevation of Momentum : Pf -...
  20. supak111

    Make a very simple mechanical time delay?

    Hey everyone, I need to make or design a simple mechanical time delay. This probably isn't easy since I can't find anything on the market that's small and cheap. Was thinking some wind up toy might work, haven't found the right one yet. I was thinking maybe small box with a rod coming out of...
  21. E

    I Mechanical clocks and time dilation

    Does anyone know if any mechanical clocks have ever been accurate enough to show time dilation? (That would be a clock with a spring-mass harmonic oscillator.) Is there any reason to suspect they might not show the same thing as the atomic clocks? (Pendulum clocks would not, for example. They...
  22. D

    Coupling two mechanical pieces for a telescope mount

    Hello PF community! Quick introduction: I'm a fresh-out-university mechanical engineer working on a telescope altitude-azimuth mount hobby project. The mount will be designed using rotary platforms (powered by internal motors) to move the mount structure in the altitude and azimuth directions...
  23. stargateengineer

    Programs Master's vs. Bachelor's in mechanical engineering?

    Hello, I'd like to know about the master's in mechanical engineering, what exactly sets it apart from the bachelor's? What makes it a more advanced level? Is it that students are instructed in more complex, sophisticated math, physics, engineering techniques? How many years in addition to the...
  24. C

    Continuum mechanical analogous of Maxwell stress tensor

    Maxwell stress tensor ##\bar{\bar{\mathbf{T}}}## in the static case can be used to determine the total force ##\mathbf{f}## acting on a system of charges contanined in the volume bounded by ##S## $$ \int_{S} \bar{\bar{\mathbf{T}}} \cdot \mathbf n \,\,d S=\mathbf{f}= \frac{d}{dt} \mathbf...
  25. A

    Which is a stronger mechanical connection

    im attatching a bolt to the inside of a pvc endcap i plan on having a metal plate on the outside so the connection is distributed over an area larger than the nut my question is, reguarding strenght of connection, and integrity of endcap is it better to go with a single hole (eye bolt) or 2...
  26. vinicius0197

    Courses Mechanical Engineer switching to CS or Electrical

    I'm on a sticky situation right here. I have almost completed my third year of a mechanical engineering degree and I'm just now realizing that I would prefer working with embedded systems/software. This happened after I start toying around with an Arduino and learned C and Python for fun's sake...
  27. A

    Should I pursue this skill? (becoming a mechanical engineer)

    By my question I mean is this something that I should realistically consider a goal? A little about me, I'm currently a Senior in high school, well, at least I'm about to be because the school year hasn't begun yet. I'm really considering becoming a mechanical engineer because I love math and...
  28. rfranceschetti

    Engineering The relationship of a mechanical engineer with electricity

    Hi all, I have in mind that an engineering project tends to be quite "integrated", as in, it envolves different engineers. So, for instance, in order to build an aircraft, you need not only a mechanical engineer, but also an EE, Materials, managers, etc etc. So lots of teamwork. However, I'd...
  29. P

    Schools Community College vs. University for Mechanical Engineering

    Hia! I was wondering about the benefits of different schools. I will be starting school at a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and am concerned about going into debt. I could instead go to community college and then transfer, but I'm worried that I will not...
  30. Rx7man

    Something every Mechanical Engineer should watch

    Here's a great video of what one guy has to say about what he learned at university.. He really hits the nail on the head.. My favourite point is with "safety factors".. If something failed under normal use, it's not because you chose a 1.2 safety factor instead of a 1.5 safety factor, it's...
  31. A

    Electromagnetic Ring Expansion Test

    If my professor tasked me with finding out where to find the materials for setting up an electromagnetic ring expansion test, where is a good place to start? Generally, what is a good procedure to follow when setting up an experiment? I am not very experienced but I would like to learn. The...
  32. A

    Thyristor: Definition & Working Principles

    What is a thyristor and how do they work?
  33. V

    Connecting a Sensor to an RFID Chip: A Mechanical Engineer's Guide

    Hi, I have an internet of things project and I am wondering how you would cheaply go about connecting a sensor to an RFD chip? I am a mechanical engineer by training so this is a bit of a learning curve, apologies if it is a really basic and obvious question. I have found this chip...
  34. yecko

    Engineering Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer

    I am a year one student who is going to promote to year 2 in September, and I am required to choose between Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer within these few days (i just received the urgent message...) I believe I am better in memorization and language skill than mathematics...
  35. EngineerK

    Making Energy Generating Gym Equipment

    Hello Everyone, I am an engineer and I wish to implement a gym system that generates energy from the user. I am originally an electrical engineer by trade, and have limited knowledge in mechanical design. This is why I need your help. My current design follows the outline of a basic cable...
  36. O

    How to optimize this part for production

    I would like to produce the 3mm thick sheet metal steel part shown bellow but I have a few questions. I have my doubts about the whether the bending of the top right part (with the holes) will work. The 5 mm spacing has to be there as the tool will be inserted into a 3 mm surface Feel free...
  37. C

    Mechanical design -- What is the part shown in the drawing?

    Hello guys. In the picture below can u help me with the problems! I cannot understand what exactly should I comment about the strengths. I t would be easier if it was asking about the types of welding :) . Please give some help! Thanks in advance!
  38. M

    Mechanical Principles Dynamics of Rotating Systems

    1. For the mechanism shown in FIGURE 1 determine for the angle θ = 45°: (i) the velocity of the piston relative to the fixed point O (VBO) (ii) the angular velocity of AB about point A (i.e. ωAB) (iii) the acceleration of point B relative to A (aBA). (b) Determine the value of the angle θ...
  39. O

    How to increase the stiffness of a simple structure

    Hello everybody, I am currently working on desinging a tool, and I would like to get your advice on how to increase it's stiffness. The tool will be used for correct positioning of a component. It consists of 2 parts : And
  40. U

    Bernoulli equation derivation with added mechanical work

    I´m able to derive Bernoulli equation from the force bilance of the flowing element (particle): dm\cdot \left (\frac{D \vec{v}}{D \tau } \right )_{flowing particle}=\vec{dF}_{g}+\vec{dF}_{p} where dFg is the gravitational force acting on the particle, dFp is the pressure force acting on the...
  41. S

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering - Getting Your Foot In The Door

    Hello, I'm an undergraduate student working to earn my Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. I was wondering whether other mechanical engineers could share their stories about their forst engineering job and how they got it. My main issue is, surprisingly, that I have absolutely no real life...
  42. M

    How to combine two lines in one in mechanical sketches

    Would somebody explain how to combine two lines into one? I think this is a CAD question. It's from Ansys's DesignModeler, Geometry Engine. I would like to make lines 1 which is at the right hand side like 2 which is left hand side of the L-shape object. In that program there are options like...
  43. M

    "Surface Body" in mechanical sketches....

    I cannot determine where I should ask this question if here is wrong would you carry it to the correct forum? What does a "surface body" mean? What is it? "The Surfaces From Sketches feature allows the creation of surface bodies using sketches as their boundary."...
  44. R

    Mechanical energy to kinetic energy storage....?

    Can there be a system that utilizes mechanical energy to produce kinetic energy, but "storing" the mechanical energy to be used at a different time for kinetic energy? Like a bike where you pedal but don't move; that mechanical energy is waiting to be "released" by some mechanism *** exclude...
  45. zwierz

    Is the Author's Approach to Nonholonomic Constraints Physically Correct?

    I would like to discuss here some points from the article Martin Swaczyna Several examples of nonholonomic mechanical systems Communications in Mathematics, Vol. 19 (2011), No. 1, 27--56 This article is available at https://eudml.org/doc/196963 Let us open page 37: This is a classical problem...
  46. Sanchayan Ghosh

    The principle and mathematics behind Klein's construction?

    Hello, I tried looking this up a lot and just could not find it. For four bar linkage, Klein's construction is used to find velocity and acceleration of piston and connecting rod. Here is a link for the procedure of the same...
  47. Sanchayan Ghosh

    How to further metrology study from machine design approach?

    Hello, I have metrology in my 4 semester in Bachelor's of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. However, the books that we get (Engineering Metrology, R.K Jain,) give only a brief principle of how the instruments work. I want to further my study of this subject with an intention to design...
  48. lawa44

    Direct Stiffness Method for a distributed load

    I'm working on a question which asks to determine the deflection, curvature, forces and moments of a simply supported beam with a distributed load. diagram shown in here http://imgur.com/a/wpI4kInitially, I've done the calculation with 1 plane beam element with 2 nodes. At L = 0 and L = 3. But...
  49. M

    How Fast Does a Rock Fall from 20 Meters?

    Homework Statement A rock with a mass of 0.2 kg is dropped from a height of 20 m. At what velocity does the rock strike the ground?Homework Equations KE= 1/2mv^2 PE=mgh The Attempt at a Solution 0.2x9.81x20=1/2mv^2. 39.24=.1(v^2) 392.4=v^2 v=19.8 m/s First time doing one of these problems...
  50. D

    Engineering Chemical vs Mechanical Engineering

    I am a high school senior caught between these two fields. they both seem very exciting and I am not sure which would be better suited for my interests. In high school, my favorite subjects have been Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I am interested in working to develop: -more...
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