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. H

    Conservation of Net Mechanical Energy in SHM

    MENTOR Note: Thread moved here from Classical Physics hence no template I have a question set that I need to be able to answer before my exam next month, I know how to answer all of them except this one. I get the feeling I'm being an idiot. Show that the simple harmonic motion solution of the...
  2. W

    Understanding solution method for finding accelerations in a mechanical linkage

    Homework Statement I was checking my work and Chegg uses the equations differently. Can somebody tell me why? Maybe I'm misunderstanding how/why to use the equation I chose. Homework Equations They say aB = -ω2ABRB/Ai I used aB = aA + αk x r - ω2rB/A The Attempt at a Solution So obviously...
  3. D

    Engineering Guidance as a nuclear physicist after B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering

    Can anyone please provide me information about the career as a nuclear physicists after B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering. is it a viable option?
  4. Parsifal1

    Foundations of Mechanical Engineering (textbook)

    I'm hoping to do a foundation year for mechanical engineering next year, can anyone recommend to get this book in preparation for it?: https://www.waterstones.com/book/foundations-of-mechanical-engineering/anthony-johnson/keith-sherwin/9780412616006 Thanks
  5. K

    Is Mechanical Engineering for me?

    I really do love the idea of engineering and being able to design and build such things. I'm currently in 12th grade about to graduate. I am going to a two year college before transferring out but I'm struggling to decide my major. I'm taking physics now and I love it, I think it's a great...
  6. sophiebeth100

    Mechanical engineering mechanics question: Motions of a triangular plate

    Homework Statement Shown in picture Homework Equations So far just used w=v/r The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Could only do part a. W=v/r =0.3/0.2 =1.5rad/s For part b I would assume the velocity is zero? But I don't think that's correct. Any help with part b and c would be great, and is...
  7. A

    Engineering Unsure of which Master's Program to Pursue

    Hello, I'm entering my final year of Mechanical Engineering undergrad. I've always had interest in aerospace like most others, but opted to avoid overspecializing at the beginning. During my undergrad career I've participated in clubs involving space and satellites, and I participated in...
  8. M

    Ansys Maxwell mechanical rotation problem

    Hie all. I want to implement an electromechanical system in maxwell. According to its sample projects,in order to define rotational movement, I should define a "Band" object that encloses all rotating parts. The problem is that in my problem the Band object can't be a non-hollow cylinder. I mean...
  9. Scott Q

    Looking for flexible seal for oscillating thin opening

    Hello Everyone, I'm looking for a sealing membrane, or comparable solution, to seal a thin opening (~15mm x 2mm) that oscillates elliptically, like in my example picture below, with a low amplitude (+/- 1mm) and frequency in the 100s - 1000s of Hz range. Any ideas?
  10. E

    Basic Forces & Bolts: Getting Started on Homework

    Homework Statement Homework Equations sum of forces in x and Y = 0 sum of the moments at a point = 0 Ffr = normal force * friction coefficient The Attempt at a Solution Im just trying to make a start, I am struggling to wrap my head around the basics with this question. Do you guys think...
  11. M

    Engineering What Textbook Covers Design and Evaluation of Mechanical Systems?

    I'm looking for a textbook on designing mechanical systems with multiple machine components. I'd like to study both rigid and non rigid dynamic systems. I'm open to studying systems composed of any mechanical component. In particular, I'd like to learn 1. draw accurate Free Body(FBD) and...
  12. Justice Hunter

    B Turbulence and Quantum Mechanical Probabilities

    So I'm a bit confused about the properties of wave mechanics, and trying to understand certain phenomena, which may be talked about, but I've never seen anyone talk about it. Here is the example. We have a bowl of water, a stick and a ball. We start with the ball, in which we drop it into the...
  13. Simple is The best

    Engineering Switching from Civil to Mechanical Engineering: Is It a Good Idea?

    I'm currently in second year in Civil I want to do mech now but I'll have to start from 2nd year. That a good idea?
  14. oliequeen

    Other Going back for Mechanical Technology?

    Hey all, so I'm at a bit of a crossroads. I recently graduated from a community college with what would probably be considered a biological technician or laboratory technician diploma. I've worked for approximately a year in my field, but got laid off a few months ago. There just seems to be...
  15. M

    Designing a Safe and Simple Enrichment Object for Elephants at the National Zoo

    Hello! I am a civil engineering student and have been tasked with creating an enrichment object for elephants at the national zoo in DC. I don't know much about pulleys, and am wondering if there are some mechanical engineers out there who could give me some hints on how to achieve this! My...
  16. R

    What Are Rami Rouhana's Interests and Expertise?

    Hello I am a mechanical engineer from Lebanon , now doing my master of science in manufacturing technology in TU Dortmund, Germany. My thesis focus is on carbon fiber manufacturing. Physics is a major subject of interest for me., I write articles on physics and mechanical design on my blog...
  17. Guidestone

    DC motor electrical and mechanical power relationship

    Hey guys, I know I still have a tread unanswered but I got a project in which I have to include some physical theory about the working of motors. I know P=V*I and also P=T*W where V is voltage, I is current, P is power, T is torque and W is angular speed. My question is, can I say V*I=T*W?. I...
  18. D

    Engineering Physicist or Mechanical Engineer?

    Can anyone please tell me the benefits being a physicist or being Mechanical Engineer?
  19. S

    Centrifugal term in mechanical energy in gravitation

    I'm studying effective potential in Newtonian gravitation. The mechanical energy of a body can be written $$E=\frac{1}{2}\mu {\dot{r}}^2+\frac{L^2}{2\mu r^2}-\gamma \frac{m M}{r^2} \tag{1}$$ Where \mu is the reduced mass of the system planet-star. Consider now the term...
  20. A

    What Drives Your Decisions and Challenges in Mechanical Engineering?

    Hello, fellow mechanical engineers. Care to spend some time to answer a few of my questions? 1) What is your biggest struggle of being a mechanical engineer? 2) What made you choose this field? 3) What is your advice towards future mechanical engineers? 4) Do you regret being a mechanical engineer?
  21. B

    Mechanical Engineering student about to lose his mind

    I am a second year student at Salt Lake Community College. About to finish my associates of science pre-engineering. I transfer to the University of Utah in the fall to start my junior year and I am kind of freeking out. I have worked my tail off. I work a full time job and take night classes...
  22. T

    Other Mechanical Engineering, real-world adv. math applications?

    Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and commonly ponder about how much of this semi-abstract math I will actually be using the workplace. I have heard real-world ME relies pretty heavily on linear algebra and differential equations. As far as advanced Calculus goes I...
  23. normal_force

    KE1 vs KE2, mechanical energy change

    Homework Statement If two objects of unequal mass and unequal Kinetic energy hit each other, they lose some energy to other forms but keep enough to do Work on each other. A good example is a car and wind, a man and ball could also apply, a ball with KE could stop a running man if KE does work...
  24. L

    Engineering Engineer switching from Mechanical to Marine

    Hi, I've had a longstanding interest in working at sea. The prospect of working as an engineer at sea is quite an exciting one. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and 2 years (non relevant) experience in design and manufacture in the oil and gas industry. Im just wondering if it's...
  25. M

    Mechanical equilibrium of the system in gravitational field

    Consider a system contained in a very tall adiabatically isolating vessel with rigid walls initially containing a thermally heterogeneous distribution of material, left for a long time under the influence of a steady gravitational field, along its tall dimension, due to an outside body such as...
  26. F

    Conservation of Mechanical Energy Requirement

    Hello Forum, Conservation of mechanical energy ME= KE+PE happens when the net work done by the non conservative forces is zero. Conservation of total momentum, instead, happens when the external net force is zero (or close to zero). In the case of mechanical energy, the non-conservative forces...
  27. Eclair_de_XII

    Courses Should I become a mechanical engineer if I'm bad at physics?

    I just can't do this critical thinking thing. I can't think about what forces go where, and I get confused about the most basic physics concepts. It's just so damn hard. Even though I'm good at calculus, doesn't mean I'll necessarily be good at engineering, right? If this is only the tip of the...
  28. K

    Schools How Can I Secure Acceptance and Scholarships for Mechanical Engineering College?

    So I'm in 10 grade and have pretty good grades and a GPA of 3.625, but I was concerned about getting accepted into college for engineering. Some of the kids in my engineeeing and physics class are crazy smart and that concerns me for futurely applying to college.My dad is a mechanical engineer...
  29. oceanscreams

    Work/Conservation of Mechanical Energy

    Homework Statement An 80-N box is pulled 20m up a 30 degree incline by an applied force of 115 N that points upward, parallel to the incline. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between box and incline is 0.22, calculate the change in the kinetic energy of the box. Homework Equations ΔKE =...
  30. S

    Relative Motion Analysis: Acceleration

    Mentor note: moved to homework forum later, therefore no template. When doing a rigid body relative motion (accel) problem using vector analysis, how do I know when it's appropriate to substitute sin/cos values vs when to use just the numbers given as the velocity?
  31. RoboNerd

    Conceptual question on angular momentum and Emech.

    Homework Statement A 60.0 kg woman stands at the western rim of a horizontal turntable having a moment of inertia of 500 and radius 0f 2.00 m. Turntable is initially at rest and is free to rotate around frictionless vertical axle through its center. Woman then starts walking around the rim at...
  32. M

    Engineering Why are aerospace engineers paid more than MechE's?

    Everyone says that the classes are basically the same, with different examples. So why are the aerospace engineers paid more by companies? And what are the differences in the job description of an aerospace engineer and a mechanical engineer both working in aerospace?
  33. henrco

    Calculate total mechanical energy of a frictionless spring

    Hi, Could you please help me determine if I've worked this problem out correctly. 1. Homework Statement A 2.86-kg object on a frictionless horizontal surface oscillates at the end of a spring with an amplitude of 7.81 cm. Its maximum acceleration is 3.74 m/s2. Calculate the total...
  34. M

    Programs Best Undergrad degree for Biomedical engineer

    Hi, I am currently a junior in college majoring in civil engineering. I want to switch my major so I can get into a ph.d program for biomedical engineering. I've read the three best majors to get into biomedical engineering are electrical, mechanical, and chemical. Chemical engineering sounds...
  35. kanibal

    How to calculate (mechanical) clutch forces

    Hello i am working on a small clutch cable testing machine this machine can give the lifetime of clutch cable i need some assistance to figure out how much forces i need to apply on this mechanism , and because the cable related directly in the clutch I'm asking if the force in the clutch in the...
  36. Kernul

    Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy Exercise

    Homework Statement A mass ##m_1 = 5.0 kg## is hanging from the end of a thread, of negligible mass, that slides on a pulley, of negligible mass too and without friction. At the other end of the thread, at the same height of ##m_1##, there is another hanging mass ##m_2 = 3.5 kg##. Using the Law...
  37. B

    Engineering Feedback Control: Modeling Mechanical System with Circuit

    Homework Statement Find the transfer function for the following mechanical system with force input fin and output x2. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The reason I left the equations blank is because I'm not sure how to appropriately model this scenario. I've seen two different...
  38. M

    What do they do? (Mechanical / Aerospace)

    This is my second field of interest. It was my first as I've always wanted a job that was related to the space industry. But, now I'm not sure if I want to be doing engineering at all... I love the problem solving of engineering, and the designing aspect. However, looking through youtube, and...
  39. Travis McWilliams

    Linear force > Angular torque > Mechanical advantage

    Guys, I'm trying to figure some stuff out, but I'm stumped. I need to figure the what my output would be. I'm applying linear force via hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder will turn a "gear" and in turn turn another. The "gear" is not necessarily a gear, it and the hydraulic cylinder will mate...
  40. charliebrown

    Engineering Mechanical engineering or computer systems engineering

    Hi everybody, I'm looking for some advice in what to do for choosing a career in a few weeks i'll be able to change my career path, I've recently applied for a career change in my school and next february 11 they'll tell me if my change of career is approved. it's very likely that i´ll obtain...
  41. E

    Passive Hydraulic System to Transmit Mechanical Power

    Hi All, I am trying to displace mechanical power using a hydraulic system with the fluid as the energy conduit. I will be using two cylinders with a connecting pipe, so when I push one down the other rises. This video illustrates well what I am going for in terms of hydraulic topology. My...
  42. YogiBear

    Mechanical variation involving auxiliary functions

    Homework Statement A chain of length L and uniform mass per unit length ρ is suspended in a uniform gravitational field. The potential energy U[y] and length l[y] functionals of the chain can be written in terms of y(x) as follows: U[y] = ρg*Int(y(1+y'^2)^1/2 dx) l[y] = Int((1+y'^2)^1/2)...
  43. R

    Schools Grad School with a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology

    Hi everyone, Hopefully someone out there has gone through this as well, or can weight in on it in some way. I have a MET degree from 2007 with a cumulative gpa below 3.0. I want to get into the aerospace industry, and I'd really like to get an advanced degree to maximize my career...
  44. Kare Skinnebach

    The difference in mechanical energy of a satellite

    Homework Statement This is from an exam for my current course in "Mechanics 2", from a couple of years ago, which means that the correct answers are given for checking results, but without further explanations. I'm confused about part (c) where my results do not correspond with the given...
  45. O

    About to study Mechanical engineering - Renewables vs oil

    I'm Currently 19 and I'm starting University this coming September, and I've received a place at the University of Edinburgh to do Mechanical engineering. Now, I've always been fascinated about big heavy industrial applications of mechanical engineering such as oil rigs and I've never really...
  46. A

    What are the benefits of cross-disciplinary learning in engineering?

    Majored HR in college, but did nothing about it yet. To work properly, learned to use SOLIDWORKS and bit UNIGRAPHICS, to work better, started learning mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, going to be 40 old now, bit difficult, but get to proceed...appreciate your help very much in...
  47. M

    Engineering Engineering Physics or Mechanical?

    Being from Canada, applications for Universities are soon due! I am back in school upgrading my high school courses from a few years ago. Wanting to start a new career. I am interested in a field of engineering. I am going for a Masters Degree that will allow me to work on green/renewable...
  48. I

    Selecting the best material for gears?

    This system consists of a shaft that is connected to a motor that is rotating at 200rpm. The whole shaft consists of two gears. The input power of the system is 500W. Is there a way i can calculate how exactly i can find the best material for my gears that is able to withstand the input power...
  49. C

    Correlation between orbit eccentricity and mechanical energy

    Homework Statement I have been tasked with showing "how the mechanical energy of a planet determines the shape of its orbit", and I cannot for the life of me make sense of it. I've run into a formula, see below, but I'm not sure how to interpret it nor if it even applies in my case at all (as E...
  50. C

    Quick question on orbital eccentricity and mechanical energy

    Hi I'm really at a loss: How should this formula be interpreted? Is e simply dependent on the specific mechanical energy of, say, a planet in orbit around the Sun as well as its angular momentum?
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