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. Engineering77744

    Max L/D Ratio: Aircraft Drag Polar Explained

    Would like help as to the method rather than the answer please. Classes haven't been very clear therefore everything is self taught. Many thanks. ' The Drag polar for an aircraft is given by: CD = 0.025 + 0.08 C^2L What is the maximum Lift to Drag ratio '
  2. C

    Most Fundamental or Important Class for Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

    Summary:: I am looking to take a engineering classes relevant to mechanical and or aerospace engineering. I am challenging my assumption that Statics & Dynamics is the most important and foundational/fundamental course to either mechanical or aerospace engineering (maybe fluid dynamics for...
  3. timotola

    I Drawbridge falling before caught by rope/cable - Max force

    Hi, I'm currently looking into the forces exerted on a cable if the cable was to go from slack to taut due to a falling object that is pivoted about a lower hinge - such as a drawbridge but instead of slowly lowering, there is slack in the cable causing the bridge to freely rotate about the...
  4. E

    How does a 3 stage linear mechanical actuator work?

    How does a 3 stage linear actuator mechanical work. I can only find a regular linear actuator mechanical but I'm unsure how will the last stage go up and down. Anyone got a poor 3d drawing for a better understanding.?
  5. freddie_mclair

    Extracting mechanical properties from strain-stress plot (real test)

    Hi everyone, recently I was working out an elasto-plastic model to make some residual stress predictions: see it here. Recently I got some real tensile tests results from a lab, therefore I would like to extract a better stress-strain curve to plug into my elasto-plastic model using the...
  6. DustyLemon

    Misc. Is a One-Piece Injection-Molded Plastic Lock Possible?

    Hi there, I've been trying to think up a mechanical design with limited success. Before I divert more time to this I thought I'd see if anyone knows if something like this already exists, or is commonly utilized. I'm basically trying to come up with a lock system whereby it is pushed down to...
  7. L

    Engineering Evaluate 2-stroke & 4-stroke Diesel engines therm & mechanical efficiency

    Evaluate 2-stroke & 4-stroke Diesel engines performance in terms of thermal & mechanical effiniecy HAs anybody got any links. all i can find is for petrol (2-stroke and 4-stroke). Is what i got so far any good?Thermal In a 2-stroke power stroke compared to a 4-stroke power stroke thermal...
  8. Barblorrane

    I Speed of EM & Mech Waves: Maxwell's Law Explained

    Based on Maxwell's Law, the speed of light can be defined by: $$c= \frac{1}{\sqrt{\epsilon_{0}\mu_{0}}}$$ Based on that, can we find a medium where a mechanical wave travels faster than a electromagnetic one? If so, how does that works?
  9. L

    Engineering Give examples of mechanical power transmission failure and solutions for a car

    just want check if i got this right. is there anything i can improve or add on this example i have? Cause and why. A cause could be bending or twisting of the prop shaft due to high torque. High torque causes high angle of twist and torsion. The high torque cause high shear stress...
  10. M

    Engineering Common way to determine motor size/power in mechanical structures?

    Hi all, I have the following situation: I need to determine the minimum force needed for a motor to move the load (75 N) at the end of the beam. I added the forces in a FBD and did the sum of forces and moment calculations (see below). Is this calculation correct and what would be the next...
  11. D

    Mechanical Engineering Problem sets for a problem member

    I got my last post locked due to insulting a member here. I do apologize I'm under a lot of stress and was nothing personal. The post was about the level of difficulty of engineering courses compared to those of mathematics at the undergraduate level. I am just curious if anyone would be kind...
  12. D

    Is an Engineering Degree More Difficult Than a Math or Physics Degree?

    How hard is an engineering degree compared with a mathematics or physics degree? I am considering going back to university for a master's program that is 30 credits. How hard will the transition be from someone with a bachelor's degree in math with some physics and a few courses in engineering...
  13. khodournajem

    Minimum motor power for a mechanical horizontal sieving machine

    r = 2.5 l=10 cm angle = 0 (maximum connecting rode elongation) w = 0.5 (30 rpm) n=10/2.5 = 4 so the acceleration is 1.5×0.5×0.5(1 + 1/4 ) = 0.4 m/s friction force = 10*9.81*0.3 = 29.4 Newton. Crank force is the mass of the object into acceleration. So crank force = 10 × 0.4 = 4 Newton...
  14. tommy7

    Mechanical device trigger with variable time delay (100-500ms)

    This device, if it or something similar exists at all, needs to be completely mechanical without ANY electricity and be really precise and strong (to last a long time). Press a button in order to trigger the start of the delay time. It must start only when the button is fully pressed down (or...
  15. W

    Mechanical energy- how to solve for v

    Hi there, I am doing a mechanical energy question. I think the solution is simple but I'm stuck on an algebra step. This is the solution but I am really not sure how they have simplified down to Va. For example I tried to factor out the m resulting in 1/2mv^2=m(1/2va^2+gh) Then I cancel...
  16. Jake Ng

    Mechanical Engineer Career. Short 3 question interview.

    I have an assignment for a class where I have to interview Mechanical Engineers. The questions are “Why did you choose this career?”, “Are you happy in this career?”, and “What advice would you give to someone who wanted to pursue this career?” I would appreciate it if someone could answer these...
  17. PainterGuy

    Free-body diagram of mechanical system

    Hi, Could you please help me with the queries below? Question 1: Do you think that the free-body diagram for M1 correct? It looks fine except that, I think, the arrow for M_{1}\frac{d^{2}}{dt^{2}}x_{1} should point downward. Question 2: Similarly, I think that the free-body diagram for M2 is...
  18. T

    Mechanical System 1D: Need Help?

    I have no idea about a possible solution, please help me :)
  19. Shankar Das

    Practicing Mechanical Engineering Dynamics Problems

    Hello, I hope you all are doing fine and healthy. For my mechanical engineering dynamics I want to practice related problems taught in my class, here is a preview of some problems. Can anyone tell me from which book or solution manual are these problems from? I want to practice as much problems...
  20. Someone_physics

    I Realizing a Quantum Mechanical Watch-Stop

    Question --- I can show for a position eigenstate ## | x \rangle ## if it evolves in time ##U(\Delta t) | x\rangle ## (where ##U## is the unitary operator). Then one can bound the time elapsed by finding the probability amplitude ##| \langle x | U^\dagger(\Delta t)| x + \Delta x \rangle |^2 ##...
  21. Urika

    MHB Elastic modulus requirements in mechanical system

    Problem 2 – Composites A composite component (such as shown in Fig.2) is required for an aerospace application. The specification for the component stipulates that it must have an Elastic Modulus in the fibre direction of at least 320 GN/m2, and the transverse direction modulus must not be less...
  22. Faris ARSLAN

    Approximate energy loss ratio in mechanical springs

    Hi!.. As known, a certain amount of energy is applied for compressing a mechanical spring. Thus mechanical spring is charged with energy and it stores it as elastic-potential energy. But whole energy, applied for compressing spring, can not be converted into potential energy. The reason is...
  23. B

    Insights for a Mechanical Engineering student

    Hello everyone, I'm a mechanical engineering student, I'm italian, so, sorry for my bad english. In this moment i am studying the following subjects: Mathematical Analysis II (multivariable calculus), Physics II (eletctromagnetism), Mechanical design and fundamentals of structural mechanics...
  24. T

    Conservation of Mechanical Energy

    Okay For a this is what I did. a. I'm confused about B. I understand that it has something to do with the Conservation of Mechanical Energy, but I don't exactly know what to do.
  25. L

    How hard is the maths for Mechanical Principles and Thermo in ME studies?

    i going to do the online HNC mechanical engineering. its has 2 units mechanical principles and thermo. i was wonder how hard is it to learn those units and the maths online or with online tutor. i can do the maths if its inperson in class but learn on line I am not sure.
  26. T

    Vibrations, Modal Analysis and Mechanical Systems

    Hello I have used and enjoyed the textbook: "Theory of Vibrations with Applications," by William Thomson However, many of the examples there are more civil engineering than mechanical. There are many good examples of "buildings" under vibrations (good examples, but civil, nonetheless) The few...
  27. Hamiltonian

    Proving that the total mechanical energy is conserved with time

    To prove: total mechanical energy is constant with time where ##E(t)## is the total mechanical energy and ##V(x(t))## is the potential energy of the object-system. $$E(t) = 1/2 mv^2 + V(x(t))$$ taking the the derivative of ##E(t)## with respect time should give 0. in the third step in the...
  28. P

    Energy Conservation between mechanical and electrical

    I am not sure if i can explain my question properly. I am studying the Generators section in the magnetism chapter. As i mentioned the statement "The rate at which work is done is exactly equal to the rate at which energy is dissipated in the resistance". When the term dissipated is used does it...
  29. ahbin98

    Engineering Mechanical Vibration Assignment Help

    I just need any simple calculation that can be made, anyone who willing to help me out please contact me
  30. Handysmurf

    I need some help with mechanical advantage (pulleys)

    I'm wanting to get a winch for my truck for vehicle recovery, but they are expensive. I know if I get a couple of snatch block pulleys, I can get a "smaller" (and less expensive) winch. My problem is that I don't know if the cable and pulleys need to be rated at or above the winch capacity, or...
  31. B

    Engineering Velocity Ratio, mechanical advantage, Efficiency of a screw jack

    Hello, I have completed the question below. I am just unsure on whether i am correct or not. I am unsure on Mechanical Advantage. As i have seen a few different equations. Question: Answer: a) Velocity Ratio = $$\frac{\text{Distance Moved By Effort}}{\text{Distance Moved By Load}}$$...
  32. Yashi234

    Can a Pulley System Replace Hydraulic Rams for Mechanical Lifting Without Power?

    I thought of using hydraulic Ram n actuators but was informed no power available on some site. I am thinking if we can use pulley mechanism from back that connects to top of overhead. I hv modified the container n attached screenshot of how it has to be. Please help if you know of a way to lift...
  33. F

    Mechanical Advantage of a pulley with horizontal effort

    How will the MA of a fixed pulley change if I apply the effort horizontally? Intuitively, I feel horizontal effort should be lesser effort than vertical effort.
  34. N

    Mechanical engineering: Maximum Power Transmitted by a V-Belt Assembly

    Summary:: Hi I’m in second year mechanical engineering and I really need help with this question! Sorry about my handwriting in the attachment I’ve put in, I've written the question out but there is an image of figure one on the file attached. Many thanks! [Mentor Note -- Thread moved from a...
  35. A

    Solve my Mechanical Motion Puzzle: 18in(7lbs)

    I am at my wits end with trying to find this formula. So far all I've gotten is I need to figure out mechanical power, maybe torque? I can't figure out the formula for this motion as it is like negative leverage. I want to build a machine that can do this thousands of times so I also need to...
  36. E

    Can Uneven Heating and Mechanical Rotation Generate Winds?

    I've had a question bugging me lately and no matter how much I google, I can't seem to find an answer. I'm sure this probably isn't possible, and my logic is probably flawed (Earth sciences isn't my forte), so I figured I'd ask you fine folks here. First, my understanding of wind, it's caused...
  37. A

    B Mechanical Resonance and Natural Frequency at the Atomic/Lattice Level

    How do we explain resonance of a complex system (say a bridge) at the atomic level? What's happening to its molecules when it's oscillating at resonance, and does that have anything to do with the frequency at which the molecules oscillate in the material?
  38. M

    Mechanical Energy of two Cannonballs fired at two different angles

    I solved for both heights: h1 = (1.85x10^4)m, h2 = (5.10 x 10^4)m Question is knowing ME = PE + KE for ball at h1 (angled 37 degrees), is it safe to assume there would be no KE as velocity would equal zero at the highest point? So the mechanical energy = mgh ? Would it be the same for ball at h2?
  39. E

    S-wave phase shift for quantum mechanical scattering

    a.) The potential is a delta function, so ##V \left( r \right) = \frac {\hbar^2} {2\mu} \gamma \delta \left(r-a \right)##, therefore ##V \left( r \right) = \frac {\hbar^2} {2\mu} \gamma ## at ##r=a##, and ##V \left( r \right) = 0## otherwise. I've tried a few different approaches: 1.) In...
  40. M

    Engineering Mechanical Vibrations - 2 DOF System - Rod with 2 springs

    Hi, So the question is to: derive the equations of motion for the following in terms of x1 and x2? The bar is assumed to be light and rigid. (NB. I know I posted another vibrations problem earlier in which I tried to use an energy approach to get to the equations of motion. However, we haven't...
  41. R

    Engineering Want to study mechanical engineering.... but failing physics exams?

    Hi, I'm feeling pretty disheartened after failing my second college physics exam in a row (I have about a low C in the class with homework and labs). I'm a freshman in physics 1, my first college physics class, where we are learning mechanics. I took physics in high school but my teacher was...
  42. A

    Want to take the PE Mechanical exam

    Summary:: Passed the FE, ready to take the PE. Hello, I had recently passed the FE exam, ready to start studying for the PE Mechanical exam. Does anyone recommend any specific study material? I just recently purchased the PE Mechanical reference textbook and looking into purchasing some study...
  43. H

    Some questions from the navy oar mechanical comprehension

    I am looking at the following exam the mechanical comprehension part and I am having trouble with some of the questions. Here is the link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ITIf6mx4RmDoL96IYoH-eY6-jQPh7CUv. I am having trouble with the following 3. A woman sits in a dragster the beginning...
  44. S

    Job Skills Future Mechanical Engineering Domains

    Hi, Which technology specializations within the mechanical engineering domain will be most demanded in the future? (I am looking for different technologies rather than for applications enabled by the technology. For example not 'robotics', but rather the technologies used for robotics) Thanks...
  45. Rolacycle

    Mechanical advantage of a moving pulley vs an anchored pulley

    This is deer feeder pulley system I plan to make unless there is more efficient way to use the same 6 pulleys and pull load centered between the two poles
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