What is Mechanical: Definition and 1000 Discussions

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. N

    Mechanical / progressive / transverse / longitudinal waves

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but based on what I've learnt, there are three kinds of waves: mechanical, transverse progressive and longitudinal progressive. Mechanical - A disturbance makes particles vibrate on the spot Transverse progressive - Energy is carried, and moves perpendicular to the...
  2. V

    Help Needed: Experienced Mechanical Engineer for Interview

    HIhi, I am currently a college student whose taking introductory course of engineering, and I have an assignment about interviewing a mechanical engineer that has at least two years experiences. Personally I am very interested in mechanical engineering as well, so I wonder would any of you guys...
  3. Shahryar

    Clockwise direction rotational motion in MCS Adams software

    I am working on a simulation but i want to put a constraint that my shaft rotates clockwise only, If a force is applied on anti clock wise direction, it doesn't go back. Working on MSC adams software. Thank you in advance for any kind of advice anyone can help with.
  4. umang kapadiya

    Is mechanical engineering good choice for me?

    I like maths & also like physics. So can i make career in mech. engineering ? I am not good at programming. So if I wish to take computer engineering, it is good choice ? Please suggest best engineering branches. I'm very confused.
  5. K

    A marble that is rolling without slipping approaches a hill

    Homework Statement A marble that is rolling without slipping approaches a hill at 8.5 m/s. How high vertically will the marble go under these circumstances: If the hill is rough enough to prevent any slipping? If the hill is perfectly smooth? Why does the marble rise to different heights when...
  6. Kyle Burris

    Mechanical noise - A/C and radon fan standing wave hum

    Hello, I am moving into a new house, remodeling, etc. & am installing a new A/C compressor and radon fan. Being that low frequency noise highly bothers me & affects my insomnia quite a bit, I am trying to look at all considerations regarding acoustics, mechanical sound propagation properties...
  7. fobsnation

    Mechanical analysis of a simple object

    Homework Statement presentation of a component and its mechanical concerns along with some mathematics behind it. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I really have no idea how to even start this but I thought of doing the spring in mechanical pens. I would appreciate any help :)
  8. B

    MS in nuclear engineering or mechanical engineering

    Hi, I am currently trying to decide between a master in nuclear or mechanical engineering. I did my BS in mechanical engineering. If I dicide in a MS in nuclear engineering I am planning in focusing in the development of better and safer fission reactors and later on doing a PhD in fussion. I...
  9. M

    Looking for mechanical clutch solution

    Hi, I made an electronics project but I'm having some mechanical problems. Particularly, I'm having issues finding a good clutch for my problem. What I'm trying to do: A motor is connected to shaft 1, a human can manually rotate shaft 2. I want that when the motor isn't doing anything, a...
  10. A

    Programs Mechanical + Electrical Double Major

    Currently, I'm going into electrical engineering, but I've been considering a double major with mechanical engineering. I'm taking a statics course right now and am really enjoying it. It definitely seems like something in which I'd be interested. If anyone is doing this, studying either major...
  11. L

    Programs Mechanical Engineering Technology?

    Hi, I am seeking some opinions regarding a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I do understand the general scope of the degree opposed to Mechanical Engineering. I am without a college education and working full-time in Quality Control at an industrial CO2 laser company. A local...
  12. goonking

    What does it mean when total mechanical energy is negative?

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution So for part a, i just plugged 3 into the equation, got the U(3) = -5.36 to get mechanical energy, (KE + PE): 5 J + (-5.36 J)= -0.36 J is this correct? what does it mean when the total energy is a negative value? (I have never...
  13. morrobay

    In Mechanical Wave v = w/k. EM wave w/k = c. How Equated ?

    With ω/k = 2π/T / 2π/λ = velocity for both transverse mechanical waves and EM waves. I can understand velocity as distance over time in mechanical wave. But how is the ratio Em/Bm = ω/k = c. That is the maximum amplitudes of the E and B fields in the y and z planes corresponding to c in...
  14. M

    Mechanical principles rotating systems

    Homework Statement A shaft 2 m long rotates at 1500 revs min–1 between bearings as shown in FIGURE 2. The bearings experience forces of 5 kN and 3 kN acting in the same plane as shown. A single mass is to be used to balance the shaft, so that the reactions are zero. The mass is to be placed at...
  15. AdityaDev

    Robotics: ECE or mechanical engineering?

    I got to know about robotics 5-6 years ago after watching a program in the Discovery network. I even joined robotics classes and i found it fascinating. (They gave me LEGO mindstorm kits). I also learned C programming and i know python as well.(my friend told me that its important to know C...
  16. F

    How to plot stress-strain curve?

    Can we plot stress-strain curve if we only have yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation data? For example if i have: Yield strength = 300 MPa Tensile Strength = 600 MPa Elongation = 50% How to plot the stress-strain curve? Thanks
  17. B

    Steam Tables: Oil fired boiler questions

    Homework Statement This is from a practice mechanical science exam for HNC engineering. See attachment for the question sheet off a practice exam. I have no idea how to do this after the a and b parts and my answers for which are below the question (underlined), any suggestions or solutions...
  18. U

    Pressure of a sphere on a regular surface

    Since the pressure a sphere exerts on a surface tends to infinity, how do you actually calculate it? My guess would be trying to see how many atoms of the surface (a straight line) and of the sphere collide. But this is very dependent on the materials and exterior factors. I have searched...
  19. S

    Multiple engineering disciplines

    I'm currently studying Software Engineering. But I also have a major passion and interest in mechanical systems and electronics (specifically electrodynamics and pretty much anything which involves physics and mathematics). Since I have a giant greed for knowledge, is there a possibility that I...
  20. H

    Engineering Advice for a mechanical engineer turned mathematician?

    I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree in 2014 and I have had my job for a year now. I absolutely hate it, I am a manufacturing engineer, but I don't feel like I use the skills I learned at school at all, I have these little projects that I get do every once in a while but they never...
  21. J

    How is torque divided between multiple wheels in a system with friction?

    Hi there, really trying to grasp these concepts for one of my engineering papers. This is basic stuff I realized now that I never really understood. If I've got two shafts, two wheels per shaft meaning four wheels in total, each wheel is 60 mm in diameter, and the power consumed by the system...
  22. A

    Should I do mechanical engineering?

    Hello I have recently applied for college and I put down mechanical engineering as my number 1. I ament that good at maths in fact I struggle with it, but I am very good at solid works and I love working with metals. I still don't know if mechanical engineering is mainly designing or if there is...
  23. Mr Davis 97

    How does mechanical energy work?

    I am a little confused about how mechanical energy conservation operates when it comes to things like predicting velocity. I know that if conservative forces are the only forces acting on a body, then we can say that mechanical energy is conserved. This is simple to see when we have lateral up...
  24. 0

    Computer Aided Mechanical Engineering

    I am 17 years old and aspiring to be an engineer. When I go to university next year the course I will be studying is Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to study just Mechanical Engineering however I did not get into the university that does it and this is the only course that I want...
  25. Borek

    Simulation of mechanical systems - FLOPS required?

    I suppose some of you know the game called "Bridge Builder" (or Pontifex, or clones). I need some help determining how many FLOPS are required during the simulation and how do they scale with the bridge size (number of elements). Some of these bridges contain hundreds of elements and tens of...
  26. K

    Deciding between Electrical and Mechanical

    First off, thank you for spending your time to read this and respond. I'm quite aware that there have been other posts on this and I've read through nearly all of them, but I'm looking for a bit more personal advice.I started typing out a bit about myself and my experience thus far with college...
  27. James Agostino

    Professional Mechanical Engineer Interview

    Hello, I am a first year Mechanical Engineering student at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and I'm looking for a professional Mechanical Engineer to respond to these interview questions. I'm conducting interviews for my technical writing course this quarter, and would love to hear...
  28. S

    Engineering Nuclear Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering

    I have a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering and I am interested in CFD. I have an admit offer for MS in Nuclear Engineering at UIUC with RA and MS in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford without any assistantship. Which one is a better option to choose considering the fact that I am not a...
  29. B

    Mechanical advantage ideal systems

    Homework Statement An engineer with mass 100 kg has designed an ideal mechanical advantage machine shown below. Platforms 1 and 2 are attached to the machine. When he steps on platform 1, platform 2 rises straight up. The maximum weight that he can lift using his machine in this manner is...
  30. W

    Mechanical Water Waves: Understanding Behavior

    I want to understand how water waves behave. I do not need to be able to solve them (although i would like a derivation) because I tried hard to find it but I were not able to find any source on it (i probably didn't know the terms i should have been searching for) The type of stuff I want to...
  31. J

    Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology

    Hello, all. I am currently a Junior in Mechanical Engineering. I was doing really well up until this current semester and my grades are starting to get lower and I have been losing interest in the material. I am considering switching to civil because their technical gpa requirements are a bit...
  32. J

    Mathematical modelling of Electric-Thermal-Structuralphysics

    Hi i am working on a research paper for which i need very good citation for the analytic analysis coupling Electric - Thermal-Structural physics(via Joule Thomson effect & Thermal stress/strain). Please provide any good source of mathematical relations describing the above complete or in part...
  33. R

    Container stack height on a ship: Mechanical strength

    In the photo of a container ship cargo seems stacked 12 high. I do know that there's lateral supports etc. that are not visible in the figure, yet the vertical load, isn't that transferred downwards to the bottom container? Or is there some way to support the stack at an intermediate point so...
  34. goonking

    Verify Answers to Mechanical Energy Homework

    Homework Statement You do 100 J of work while pulling a child back on a swing, whose chain is 2.0 m long, until the swing makes an angle of 30.0° with the vertical. a) What is the child's mass? (Consider the swing itself and the chain massless) b) Upon releasing the swing from this position...
  35. M

    Flat plate heat exchanger - Hand calculations help

    I am designing a flat plate heat exchanger for a project and I am not sure where to start with the hand calculations, specifically the LMTD and E-NTU methods, also how to work out the parameters which i will need to complete these methods such as area and number of plates. My deadline is soon...
  36. G

    Black holes and mechanical engineers

    Hello geeks! I've reached that point in life, where I've to decide on what to study. The thing is, that I simply love the wonders and extremes of our universe, such as neutron stars, black holes etc. But the thing is, if you don't want to give lectures in a university or do research in black...
  37. 1

    The strain of a dog-bone specimen

    Homework Statement A dog-bone specimen made by aluminum alloy is used for tensile testing by a force of 4000N via two steel pins. The dimension of the specimen is shown in the following picture; the thickness of specimen and the length of pins are 4mm and 8mm, respectively. The mechanical...
  38. R

    Automotive As a mechanical project we have been asked to design a micro steam car

    [ mod note: moved from homework ] as a mechanical project we have been asked to design a micro steam car. we have chosen to use a wobbler engine for this. The aim of the project to see how far this car can travel based on a given amount of fuel. We are making a boiler which will provide the...
  39. PrincessIceFall

    How to find the depth of immersion of this boat model?

    So I am trying to find the depth of immersion of this particular boat model, which has curvilinear edges (subparabolic edges) on each side. The figure of the pontoon is shown below So now when I place this pontoon in water, the height of the water that rises, called the depth of immersion is...
  40. D

    Mechanical energy of frictionless pulley

    Homework Statement In the system shown, the block M (mass of 15.65 kg) is initially moving to the left with a speed of 3.4 m/s The mass of m is 8.26 kg and the coefficients of friction are μs=0.411 and μk=0.304. The string is massless and the pulley is massless and frictionless. How fast will M...
  41. I

    Astrophysics and mechanical engineering

    I have recently completed my A levels with 3 A's in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics (mechanics) Growing up I've always been fascinated by both aircraft engineering and astrophysics (how the universe came into being, how its going to end, big bang and big crunch etc.) My question is for a...
  42. W

    How can I use Pneumatic Muscles as Hydraulic Muscles?

    Hi everyone, this is my first post I was wondering how can I turn a pneumatic artificial muscle into a hydraulic one using water. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-air-muscles!/ These are the air muscles I was planning on using. What sort of pump would I need? Please be specific as...
  43. L

    Engineering Jobs for mechanical engineer in the US

    Hello there, i am from brazil and i will be graduating in mechanical engineering next year. i really want to live outside brazil and i would go to US or australia. thus, i want to know how could i achieve that, in terms of diploma validation and what are the best areas of mechanical engineering...
  44. Danielle Agamon

    Topics in Mechanical Engineering

    Hi! I'm currently in senior high and I'm planning to take Mechanical Engineering for my college.I want to make advance research this incoming vacation about the different things or should I call "topics" about mechanical engineering where would I start? thank you :D
  45. T

    Mechanical Vibrations Coursework: Frequency of Block Rolling in Water

    Homework Statement I am currently taking mechanical vibration course and am given coursework. A wooden block (20X200mm) floats half submerged in water. Determine the frequency of small oscillations of the block rolling from side to side. In this motion, the centre of mass remains in the plane...
  46. J

    Programs Pursuing a Minor in Physics as a Mechanical Engineering Student: Is it Worth It?

    Hello, I'm currently a freshman planning to pursue Mechanical Engineering with the intent of getting a Master's in Nuclear Engineering. I am attempting to decide whether or not to pursue a minor in physics because I deeply enjoy physics. However, my degree by itself is challenging and I want to...
  47. Patolord

    Engineering Looking for a good book on Mechanical Vibration

    Hi, I just started an introductory class on Mechanical Vibration and would like to know what's a good book mainly with good problems so i can practice. To be more clear the topic discussed here ->...
  48. M

    Thermodynamics for Mechanical Engineering Problem

    Homework Statement A closed, rigid tank contains a two-phase liquid-vapor mixture of Refrigerant 22 initially at -20 C with a quality of 50.36%. Energy transfer by heat into the tank occurs until the refrigerant is at a final pressure of 6 bar. Determine the final temperature. If the final...
  49. N

    How can I simulate a rolling non-rigid tire with obstacles using ANSYS 14.5?

    Urgent help required! I need to simulate a rolling non-rigid tyre on a ground with obstacle(s). How should i proceed with ansys 14.5? Any help will be deeply appreciated.
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