What is mechanical engineering design?

The word mechanical engineering design consists of two words, mechanical engineering, and engineering design. Mechanical engineering deals with the design and analysis of mechanical systems and components using the laws and principles of mechanics and physics. On the other hand, engineering design deals with determining the dimensions of the components or members under the action of external influences such as loads to make it fail-safe. Engineering also deals with determining the maximum and safe limit of loads and stresses that can be exerted on a body without causing the component to fail. In the domain of mechanical engineering, design is restricted to determining the permissible safe dimensions and loads that can be applied to the component without causing it to undergo fractures or deformations. Mechanical engineers are primarily in charge of the design and analysis of the mechanical components of a system under static and dynamic conditions.

Mechanical engineering in manufacturing industries

Manufacturing industries primarily deal with the manufacturing of different products and components. Manufacturing industries also deal with the building and assembling of small to large mechanical systems. For instance, shipbuilding and automobile assembling. There are a lot of engineers who work in the manufacturing engineering domain such as electronics engineers, electrical engineers, civil engineers, aerospace engineers, mechanical engineers, and so on. The role associated with mechanical engineers in the manufacturing engineering industries is to maintain the machinery. Mechanical engineers need to perform scheduled check-ups and perform necessary repairs of the engineering components. Besides, mechanical engineers are in charge of validation and modification associated with the set of codes that govern the operations of computer numerical control (CNC) machines, while electrical engineers are in charge of the design and maintenance of the electrical control system of machinery in the manufacturing industry.

The mechanical engineers of a manufacturing industry, which deals with the building of systems that work on pneumatics, are in charge of the complete design of the components, starting from material procurement to the final working product. The complete product life-cycle is under the supervision of mechanical engineers.

Whether it be an automobile manufacturing industry, a smartphone manufacturing industry, a ship manufacturing industry, or a small mechanical component manufacturing industry, mechanical engineers play an important role everywhere.

Mechanical engineering in oil and gas industries

The oil and gas industry deals with oil and gas exploration projects. In the engineering sector, mechanical engineers are employed to overview the design of mechanical components such as pumps, valves, compressors, heat exchangers, and so on. Oil and gas industries employ heat exchangers to alter the temperature of the oil for required purposes. A heat exchanger makes use of basic heat transfer principles and basic thermodynamics concepts. A primary knowledge of conduction and convection of heat transfer is required to operate a heat exchanger. The concepts that mechanical engineering graduates study during their coursework are primarily applied in this sector. However, unlike concepts and theories found in books, a mechanical engineer has to apply these concepts under practical situations.

Besides design and maintenance, a mechanical engineer also has to undertake practical works such as dismantling and welding. In an oil and gas industry, the oil is transported long distances through pipelines, and these pipelines are made of tough steel and metals. Due to faults and breakdowns, mechanical engineers have to carry out welding of parts and also need to supervise other fellow workers in welding. Besides pipelines, one also has to select the right welding procedure to weld two or more components based on their expertise.

Mechanical engineers in research and development (R&D)

In the R&D sector, a mechanical engineer deals with the creation of ideas and products from scratch. The mechanical engineer is given the designation of mechanical design engineer in an R&D firm. A mechanical design engineer first needs to apply engineering principles and perform calculations to determine the right dimensions and required loads. Then, the engineer performs three-dimensional modeling of the component in a computer program known as computer-aided design (CAD). The complete geometry of the design is then analyzed. After the modeling, the engineer needs to check for critical areas and magnitudes of loads and deformations of their design in computer-aided engineering (CAE) software.

Mechanical engineers also indulge in research and development of economic and environment-friendly combustion fuels. The combustion products of burning fossil fuels as the combustion of petrol and diesel causes damage to the atmosphere. Hence, an environment and living being friendly combustion are necessary to sustain a healthy ecosystem.

Context and Applications

The topic is primarily taught in the first-year degree courses of mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and aerospace engineering. Besides, the topic also finds its existence in the curriculum and course of applied science.

• Bachelors in Technology (Mechanical Engineering)
• Bachelors in Technology (Civil Engineering)
• Bachelors in Technology (Aerospace Engineering)
• Masters in Technology (Mechanical Engineering)
• Masters in Technology (Civil Engineering)
• Masters in Technology (Aerospace Engineering)

Practice Problems

1. Mechanical engineers are primarily in charge of which of the following components of a system?

1. Structural components
2. Mechanical components
3. Electronics and electrical components
4. None of these

Correct option- b

Explanation: Mechanical engineers are primarily in charge of the design and analysis of mechanical components.

2. Which of the following is the abbreviation for CNC?

1. Computer numeric control
2. Computer numerical control
3. Computer numerically controlled
4. Computer numerically control

Correct option- b

Explanation: The abbreviation for CNC is computer numerical control.

3. Which of the following is the primary role of electrical engineers in the manufacturing industry?

1. Design and maintenance of electrical control systems
2. Design and maintenance of machine parts
3. Design and maintenances of automation
4. None of these

Correct option- a

Explanation: In the manufacturing industry, an electrical engineer is primarily in charge of the design and control of electrical control systems. Sometimes, electrical engineers also handle electronics-related challenges.

4. Which of the following devices employs the basic heat transfer and basic thermodynamic principle?

1. Heat exchangers
2. Compressors
3. Heat pump
4. Pneumatic Pumps

Correct option- a

Explanation: The concepts of basic thermodynamics and heat transfer are applied in the working and designing of a heat exchanger.

5. Which of the following is an abbreviation for CAE?

1. Computer-aided engineers
2. Computer-aided engineering
3. Control aided engineering
4. None of these

Correct option- b

Explanation: The abbreviation for CAE is computer-aided engineering.

Related Concepts

• Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
• Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)
• Industrial robotics
• Control engineering