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. Mike J

    Compare 2 mechanical shock scenarios with different magnitude and time

    For example, How does one compare 100 g's for 6 milliseconds to 45 g's for 11 milliseconds. These are two different shock scenarios with different magnitudes and times, so how can I compare them? If I have something that is shock rated at 100 g's for 6 ms does this imply that it will withstand...
  2. M

    Mechanical expansion or compression of a material

    Would you explain what "mechanical expansion or compression of a material" is? It makes no sense to me I only know thermal expansion or compression. https://www.google.tl/patents/US5004946 Thank you.
  3. Amr Elsayed

    Engineering Should I major in physics or mechanical engineering?

    I'm an international student and I'm going to attend a U.S. college this fall, and in order to decide which college I should pick, I have to make my decision whether or not I would like to major in engineering because the college that I want to attend doesn't have engineering, while the other...
  4. A

    Engineering Engineering jobs for a naturalized US citizen

    I want to obtain a mechanical engineering degree and work in a respective field in USA. But I will be looking for ME jobs as a naturalized US citizen (I am from Europe, but will soon become US citizen). I heard that it would be harder for me to find a job as any kind of engineer because I...
  5. Septenary

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering with no maths?

    I'm 19 and I have a passion for cars. I'm thinking about pursuing a mechanical engineering degree & possibly creating a company in the future. There's one problem though; I didn't take algebra 2 or any maths after that (I had consumer math in hs). Is the math in mechanical engineering advanced...
  6. E

    Conservation of Mechanical Energy: Equations not equivalent?

    1. The problem A very simple question on a quiz given to me states that, "A 63 kg diver is standing on a diving board waiting to commence her dive. The diving board has compressed 0.08 m. Determine the elastic potential energy of the diver." 2. The attempt at a solution I thought this question...
  7. M

    Engineering Masters in mechanical engineering after a bachelor in NE

    Hi, is it logicial to get a masters in mechanical engineering after a bachelor of nuclear engineering ? is that going to give more options when it comes to applying for jobs ? expanding opportunities ?
  8. ramzerimar

    Mechanical vibrations + Aerodynamics?

    I'm now taking classes on mechanical vibrations and fluid dynamics, and those are two fields that are very interesting to me. I've always liked the subject of aerodynamics, but now I'm really liking to study mechanical vibrations, very interesting field of study. I'm looking for some specialty...
  9. D

    Offset Torque: Solving the 1000N Problem

    Hello guys, I am doing some basic design work and can't remember how offset torques work. I am doing the sum of the torques should be equal to 0 in order to find the tipping point around either of the wheels. My problem is with the 1000N applied at to top taking the pivot point around the...
  10. yecko

    Engineering Mechanical or Civil Engineering: Which Major is Right for You?

    hello everyone I am a year one engineering student and soon I need to choose my major, and I am still struggling mechanical or civil engineering. Background of me: compared to my engineering colleagues, my memorization, reporting skills (indeed i like oral or written presentation :) ) and...
  11. Neven

    Engineering Mechanical engineer to aerospace engineer?

    HI I am a bit early for a 16years old and already think about it maybe but , my dream is to go in the space , which type of engineer goes in space? And can i start from a mechanical engineer to a aerospace engineer ?
  12. Connor

    Engineering Best cities for mechanical engineering

    I'm a 21 year old college student studying mechanical engineering. I currently live in South Carolina and I'm looking at other states to move to after graduation. I was wondering what are some good states/cities to go to for mechanical engineering?
  13. S

    Programs Physics Minor - Course Selection for ME

    Hello! I'm a Mechanical Engineering major considering a minor in Applied Physics; however, there are so many choices and I like all of them. I was hoping someone could give me some feedback. Perhaps, what physics courses are most relevant for a Mechanical Engineer. In my university, New Jersey...
  14. D

    Electrical and Mechanical Energy as it relates to Capacitors

    Homework Statement In my lab, we are studying the efficiency of a simple DC motor. In order to do this, we related the initial potential energy of the capacitor to the final potential energy of a mass (which remained constant for all three capacitors) that the motor lifted. I was instructed...
  15. S

    Need to interview a Mechanical Engineer

    I am a first-year Mechanical Engineering major at Cal Poly, and I need to interview a Mechanical Engineer for my Technical Writing class. If you have a few minutes and could answer these five questions, I would greatly appreciate it! What are common genres in the field of mechanical...
  16. Toby_phys

    Mechanical wave reflection at a boundary

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The right hand section (A) has an incident and reflected wave $$y_1=Ae^{i(kx+\omega t)} +A'e^{i(-kx+\omega t)} $$ The middle section (B) has a transmission reflected wave $$y_2=Be^{i(k_2x+\omega t)} +B'e^{i(-k_2x+\omega t)}$$ Section (C) just has the...
  17. J

    Rotary Mechanical Brake System

    Hi, I am looking into a braking system which can limit the rotational speed of a platform; the assembly consists of a fixed vertical shaft and a rotating outer tube (seated with bearings). The platform diameter is >5 times larger than the tube. I have looked into the typical band brake...
  18. KaelanSong

    Can You Help Find a Mechanical Engineer for an Urgent Student Interview?

    One of classes needs me to interview an engineer with a degree of my same major (mechanical engr), preferably with 7+ years of experience in the field (we can lie about that, but deadlines are approaching and I've struck out everywhere), AND A BUSINESS CARD (used as proof to my professor that...
  19. E

    How to Calculate Drag Load of Sticker on Fast Moving Vehicle

    Hi Great Engineers, Need you help. I am required to calculate drag load on sticker to ensure it is not peeling off in operation. The vehicle may moves as fast as 220 km/hr with rectangular sticker size of 30 cm x 40 cm, thickness 0.0635 mm on its body. Wind direction is parallel to 40 cm length...
  20. S

    Definition(s) of "reversible" -- thermodynamics vs mechanical?

    Is there a definition for "reversible process" that applies to mechanical systems (such as a block sliding down a frictionless inclined plane) that is distinct from the definition of "reversible process" in thermodynamics? If we apply the thermodynamic definition of "reversible process" to...
  21. fuvest

    Mechanical Energy Problem/non-conservative forces

    Homework Statement A body of mass "m" is let go from on top of a surface A, where it slides down to B(without friction). From that point on, it displaces itself on an horizontal surface 5 meters away from B, where it stops at C. Being "m" a mass in kg "h" in meters and g = 10 m/s^2 The value...
  22. R

    Mechanical Engineer vs. Computer Engineer

    Hello everyone, I am in my first year at University, and I have to choose what discipline to enter. I am passionate about designing, testing, and implementing various ways to solve problems, and I found I can do this in both disciplines just in different ways. From previous job experience, I...
  23. Z

    Programs Mechanical Engineering or CS Degree

    So I was talking to one of my friends who is a huge programmer, and he said that you don't even need a computer science degree to work in software. He said that companies would rather teach a mechanical engineer how to program, than a computer science grad how to problem solve, and that out of...
  24. A

    Congratulations Mechanical Engineers

    People spend so much time drooling over the millions or even billions made by software tycoons and their sometimes very crappy software, that we may forget about the tangible accomplishments of mechanical engineers. Here is a beautiful example. Do you have more...
  25. Lucas Martins

    Basic mechanical engineering learning

    Where can I learn some basic mechanical engineering, I am thinking of applying for a course on ME and I wanted to know what I am getting into, is there a online course that you guys recommend?. I have a some physics knowledge with basic dynamics but nothing differential. and maths up to basic...
  26. M

    Where Can I Find a 6 Hour Mechanical Timer for a Pill Bottle?

    Hey mechanical engineers, I am a biomedical engineer, I have designed a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus that is currently powered on mechanical timers I have found online. Does anyone know where I could find a 6 hour mechanical timer I could fit in a standard pill bottle?
  27. Nikhil Rajagopalan

    Deriving the progressive mechanical wave equation

    Is it correct to state that a progressive wave, originates when a simple harmonic motion is imparted continuously to adjacent particles from one direction to another moving with a velocity v. Using this idea, substituting (t - x/v) instead of t is the simple harmonic motion function...
  28. S

    Finding frequency of a specific mechanical oscillator -- horizontal rod on pivot

    Homework Statement There is a cyllinder with radius 0.5 m fixed on the wall. We put a 6 metres long thin rod with mass 0.3 kg on it, which does not slip. I would like to calculate the oscillating time. It is a part of a clock, so the oscillating time is probably 1 or 2 seconds, but I got...
  29. Kaura

    Engineering Software for Mechanical Simulations

    I am a first year Mechanical Engineering Major I am wondering if there are any good computer program that I could use to simulate the physics and properties of potential designs The other day I saw something about Da Vinci's famous cryptex and this peaked my interest into designing and building...
  30. M

    Understanding the Equivalence of Two Mechanical Systems

    I cannot understand the mechanical systems in the picture. In the picture a) how can f is scattered equally to M, K1, K2, B1 and B2 ? Where do you know this? How can two systems be equivalent of each other? In the picture (b) if f is applied, how can the force on M is Ma, a is acceleration...
  31. UMath1

    Engineering Electrical vs Mechanical Engineering: Jobs, Demand, Roles

    I am a high school senior debating between these two majors. In high school, I enjoyed both Mechanics and E&M very much so its really tough for me to decide which of the two engineering fields I'll like more. Whichever field I pick, I am also planning to minor or double in Physics and Computer...
  32. Al_Pa_Cone

    Mechanical Principals Assignment Question

    I have a long question in my assignment with many part answers and I would just like to know if I have answered them correctly as I have spend a lot of time on it. can anyone help? My Question is: The component shown in Fig 1 is made from a material with the following properties and is...
  33. O

    Favorite software for generating b/w mechanical drawings

    Hi everyone. I'm a mechanical engineer and have spent a fair amount of time generating black and white line drawings to go in papers, documents, etc. What is your favorite software to create drawings like you might see in textbook homework problems? A couple of simple examples given below. I...
  34. M

    Nuclear Mechanical Engineering

    Hello Dears I am Mechanical Engineering Technology and I am thinking to get Master degree in Nuclear Engineering/ Nuclear Mechanical Engineering. So, is it possible to do that and in which university? Thank you
  35. M

    Approach for determining jerk in a mechanical system

    Hello all, I require your expertise on building an approach or a framework to identify and measure the jerk or vibration in a mechanical system with a slider. What I have is a slider (S) with a vertical link (L1) attached to it and another horizontal link (L2) attached at the tip of the link...
  36. Maximilian Popelier

    Mechanical parts of a jet engine

    Hi guys I'm making a project about jet engine. I need to write 10 pages of the mechanical part of a jet engine. I already did it for physics. What can i talk about. I need formules en stuff in the 10 pages Ty for the help guys! Max
  37. F

    Courses Dynamics through physics or mechanical engineering?

    Which is better? To study dynamics through physics or through mechanical engineering? What is the difference really? A book from MIT OCW classical mechanics 2 : Florian, Scheck. Mechanics: From Newton’s Laws to Deterministic Chaos. 3rd ed. https://www.amazon.com/dp/3540655581/?tag=pfamazon01-20...
  38. V

    Mathematical Base for a mechanical engineering undergraduate

    Hello PF friends, My name is Visakhan,and I'm presently pursuing my BE in Mechanical Engineering in India. 3/4 way through the course now,But I feel unsatisfied with my grasp of mathematics and programming. I scored marks and passed the examinations,but i don't get that feeling of satisfaction...
  39. T

    Engineering Transferable skills and the industries for engineers?

    Hello everyone, I want to give some brief background info about myself before asking; I am a junior/senior undergraduate living in Southern California studying mechanical engineering, and leaning towards the thermo/fluids side of mechanical engineering. However, when it comes to "my true...
  40. S

    Finding the total mechanical energy

    Homework Statement A bead is sliding on a surface. At point A it is 80 cm above the ground, at point B it has just hit the ground and at point C it is 50 cm above the ground. At point A it has a speed of 200 m/s, so what will its speed be at point B and C? Homework Equations W=F.d Kinetic...
  41. Beliver

    Other Looking for a Research topic at PhD level in mechanical engineering

    Can you help me what can be the science contribution in mechanical engineering in the Research field robotics and automation?
  42. Al_Pa_Cone

    Mechanical Principles -- Assignment question

    Can anyone help me? I have a question with 3 part answers on my Mechanical Principles assignment. I believe I have answered question part 'a' and 'b' but I have been stuck on question part 'c' for days! So the question is: Q5. The simply supported beam shown in FIG 4 is 5meters long with a...
  43. G

    System simplification through state space

    Hi guys! I study Electrical Engineering and, don't-know-why, I don't know anything about state space. Now I'm working on a project where I have a non-linear system. The first task in the project is to separate the linear and the non-linear part of this system, and then obtain the state space...
  44. Z

    Programs 2nd year student can't decide between engineering and physics

    I have been struggling to make this decision for the past year. I am a straight A 2nd/3rd year mechanical engineering student and I really can't decide between engineering and physics. My whole life I have always wondered about the universe, and why things work the way they do. I am way more...
  45. A

    Find the potential, kinetic, and mechanical energy

    Homework Statement A 1.40 kg block slides with a speed of 0.885 m/s on a frictionless horizontal surface until it encounters a spring with a force constant of 637 N/m . The block comes to rest after compressing the spring 4.15 cm. Part A Find the spring potential energy, U, the kinetic energy...
  46. A

    Find final speed using mechanical energy formula

    Homework Statement A skateboarder at a skate park rides along the path shown in (Figure 1) .If the speed of the skateboarder at point A is v=1.3m/s, what is her speed at point B? Assume that friction is negligible. Homework Equations ui+ki=uf+kf u=mgh k=1/2mv2 The Attempt at a Solution...
  47. FQVBSina_Jesse

    Pressure and flow speed relationship in wind tunnel

    I need 250 m/s of airflow speed in a wind tunnel. I can assume for this purpose, the test section of the wind tunnel has uniform flow. However, the wind tunnel can only generate a flow rate of 100 m/s but the pressure can be increased. I am drawing a blank on how could a generic boundary layer...
  48. P

    B The Possibility of Induced Quantum Mechanical Tunneling?

    Hi everyone, I apologize if the answer to this question is more simple than I am able to realize, but I've searched the internet and haven't found much on the possibility of inducing quantum mechanical tunneling. Is it possible to affect the probability of this event without altering the...
  49. Lil Uzi Vert

    Calculating Maximum Height of an Arrow with Loss of Mechanical Energy

    Homework Statement A 125 - G arrow is shot vertically upwards with a Vi of 28/ms. Assuming a 20% loss in Mechanical Energy while ascending, what maximum height above the position it was shot does it reach? Homework Equations Vi= 28m/s Vf= O m/s D= ? a= -9.8 m/s Vf^2= Vi^2 + 2aD Eg = mgh Ek =...
  50. F

    A doubt about Mechanical Engineering problems and exercises

    Is it true that some mechanical systems( or machines or mechanisms) of problems and exercises of Mechanical Engineering books(engineering dynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid dynamics...) are invented ? That is, they don't exist in real life, they are created only for a particular problem or...
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