What is Mechanical engineering: Definition and 549 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. M

    Which of Physics and Mechanical Engineering requires math

    Hello I hope this is the appropriate place for asking my question I wonder and feel like knowing which of Physics and Mechanical Engineering requires more advanced Mathematics. That's all!
  2. S

    Aerospace engineering vs. Mechanical engineering

    Hi everyone. I am entering first year university in aerospace engineering, and since I've heard that job positions are limited in Canada in aero filed, I am wondering if i will be able to work in some mechanical engineering position after i get my degree. ( I know that these two are similar...
  3. A

    Fluid mechanics help mechanical engineering

    Fluid mechanics help! mechanical engineering Hi people! I have been doing some fluid questions and got stuck ont he following two; 1) A Casson plastic fluid is subjected to a shear force of 5.5 Pa. If the fluid obeys a law of the form T =1.5 +0.2^0.45u, determine the shear rate and...
  4. A

    Mechanical engineering help with fluids

    Hi people! I have been doing some fluid questions and got stuck ont he following two; 1) A Casson plastic fluid is subjected to a shear force of 5.5 Pa. If the fluid obeys a law of the form T =1.5 +0.2^0.45u, determine the shear rate and apparent viscosity under these conditions 2)...
  5. A

    Fluid mechanics help mechanical engineering

    Fluid mechanics help! mechanical engineering Hi all, I've answered a page of questions from a engineering textbook by mike tooley but I'm really struggling on these two questions. 1) A Casson plastic fluid is subjected to a shear force of 5.5 Pa. If the fluid obeys a law of the form T...
  6. G

    Mechanical engineering graduate transferring to civil engineering

    i completed my mechanical engineering degree in 2004. having spent a while backpacking i returned and have been working for a friends civil engineering company as a labourer. i spent a while thinking about retraining after i got back and am now looking to study civil engineering. I am interested...
  7. A

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering & Business Adm: Exploring Career Options

    Hey guys! I'm currently a senior in high school who will be moving onto college next year. I've always had a strong point in math, it's something I want to continue studying. In high school I didn't really push myself to the limit so I haven't studied Physics yet. I'm currently in...
  8. L

    Dual Majoring in Mechanical Engineering & Physics

    I'm about to finish my BS in Mechanical engineering and I was wondering about doing a dual major in Physics. The departments are very closely related. I actually only have to take 12 hours of upper level physics courses (intro modern physics, quantum, electromagnetic theory, etc.) I've...
  9. C

    Mechatronics vs regular mechanical engineering

    Hey, I'm in second year of engineering, and have to pick my courses for third year. I have the option of going into mechatronics or stick to regular mechanical engineering.I don't know what i should do. I heard mechatronics has a lot to do with controls system. I want to invent my own things...
  10. 6

    Nuclear or Mechanical Engineering?

    My school has a BS degree for both. Although Nuclear seems more cool and involves more physics, Mechanical Engineering seems like a more flexible degree. I'm interested in getting a job in the energy sector (not necessarily nuclear power plant design/reactor design), or in technical...
  11. M

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering Career Path

    Hello, I am a Mechanical engineering student and I would really appreciate help with finishing a report I have to write. I have to interview mechanical engineers and ask them about their careers but I don't know that many (almost none) engineers in real life. The purpose of this report is to...
  12. M

    Mechanical Engineering Career Path

    Hello, I am a Mechanical engineering student and I would really appreciate help with finishing a report I have to write. I have to interview mechanical engineers and ask them about their careers but I don't know that many (almost none) engineers in real life. The purpose of this report is to...
  13. M

    Problem because of mechanical engineering :S :S

    hello friends iam a mechanical engineer graduated at 2007 and i am working in maintenance section in a big company @ work i always dealling with gears bearings mechanical elements u know i have spent my studies dealling with fluid power , fluid mechanics and thermal engineering i come to...
  14. V

    Applications for Mechanical Engineering - Reasoning

    Howdy big timers. I need some stouthearted mechanical engineers to help me out with my reasoning here. Since I graduated some five years ago I’ve have found that there is a gap between what you know as a college graduate, and what that knowledge does and means in the real world. In the field...
  15. Z

    Mechanical Engineering: Books for High School Students

    Hi all this is my first post and i wanted some suggestions on good books to read about mechanical engineering. I am a freshman in high school and I am interested in mechanical engineering and I wanted to read some books about what mechanical engineering is.
  16. T

    What area(s) or topics of chemistry are used in mechanical engineering

    what area(s) of chemistry is used in mechanical engineering, Is chemistry crucial to Mechanical Engineering and if it is ,What areas or topics should one concentrate on . Thanks in advance.
  17. T

    Is it possible to work fulltime and study full time mechanical engineering

    Is it possible to work full-time and study mechanical engineering (full credit) at the same time ,How much pressure will I face through out the program ,any specific courses which are specifically challenging ,Because I finished my first semester(full credit) while working and barely found...
  18. D

    Mechanical Engineering or Microbiology?

    hey there...just wondering if I can get some suggestions choosing the sub I want to grad. from.. The thing is that I just finished my high school n now got chance in both Mechanical Engineering n Microbiology...I think I'm pretty good at Physics..n also in Math n Biology...tho I really don't...
  19. C

    Auditing mechanical engineering classes?

    I just graduated with my BS in physics and applied math. In a year or so, I may apply to grad schools in materials or mechanical engineering or applied math. I chose not to apply this fall since I don't have enough background in engineering to know for sure that I will enjoy graduate studies in...
  20. D

    Help deciding between BS and AAS in mechanical engineering

    Hi everyone in the forums, this is obviously my first post here... I've been faced with a dilemma which consists of which career path to continue. Ive been in college for some time now: I started going to school in 04 for architecture, but realized it wasn't for me two years later, in 06...
  21. seouldavid

    Audio and video lectures on mechanical engineering

    There are some helpful courses and lectures related to mechanical engineering available on the Internet. http://www.infocobuild.com/education/audio-video-courses/mechanical-engineering/mechanical-engineering.html This contains audio/video courses and lectures in mechanical engineering...
  22. T

    Engineering Civil engineering or mechanical engineering

    Hi, Right now I am studying forest engineering at University of British Columbia but I am starting to regret choosing forestry since the industry is doing so bad. So I've decided to go into engineering since I am interested in it and it has good pay and good job outlook. But it is hard to...
  23. S

    Engineering Offshore Platforms and Mechanical Engineering

    Hi, I am currently studying Mechanical Engineering and am really interested in Offshore platforms/Oil rigs etc. What branch of engineering is most commonly associated with this industry? I would have thought structural would be very active but constantly hear that mechanical engineers are...
  24. T

    Structural Engineering with Mechanical Engineering background

    Someone with a BS in Mechanical Engineering can he branch off to graduate studies in Structural Engineering so he can be involved in construction projects, piping systems, water distribution systems and complex utility projects, etc. If so, what does he need to do.
  25. T

    Mechanical Engineering Technology vs. Physics

    I'm a freshman college student and I'm confused about what I want my major to be. My current major is Mechanical Engineering Technology. I love engineering because I want to design and create machines that will be beneficial to human life, but I love physics because I want to know how the...
  26. T

    Mechanical engineering Autodesk?

    I've just heard of this program - http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?siteID=123112&id=13717655 But if anyone's familiar with autodac, can they tell me if it's good for mechanical engineering, so does it simulate motion and such?
  27. T

    Free Mechanical Engineering Software?

    Do you know of any free engineering software where I can design and test my own models?
  28. W

    Fresh start Love Mechanical engineering but dont know what to do

    Hello my name is Jake I am fresh out of high school and in my first semester of school. Over the past few years I have been leaning more and more tward mechanical engineering as a major however the field seems so open I can't decide what is correct for me. I guess I am just asking for a little...
  29. A

    Mechanical Engineering finish time

    Does anyone know the average time it takes to finish a Mechanical Engineering degree because I've been going over the course http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/info/regist/calendars/programs/99.html" and it looks pretty tough to finish this in 4 years.
  30. G

    Engineering Can a Mechanical Engineer Pursue a PhD in Physics in the US?

    I graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering (2009) from India(One of Premier Engineering Institutes in India).Since I am very interested in Physics I want to pursue Ph.D in Physics, I have taken a year off to get more exposure in Physics and currently I am researching on Soft matter...
  31. Link

    Engineering Is Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering a subfield of Mechanical Engineering

    After looking at the course content of some Mechanical and Electrical Engineering degree specifications at various universities, I get the feeling that Mechanical Engineering students got the opportunity to specialise in Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering whereas Electrical Engineering...
  32. D

    Mechanical engineering or electrical engineering

    I am having trouble deciding whether I wan to be a mechanical or electrical engineer... I want to build gundams and go into space and even mechanics on land. But I am moderately good at programming and enjoy circuts. I guess what I am asking is , can you guys try to inspire me into a partilar...
  33. A

    Mining or Mechanical Engineering?

    Hi, I just finished my second year at Virginia Tech in Mech Eng and have been doing a lot of thinking lately about whether or not to stay in ME. I do enjoy it and am doing fine grades wise but just have concerns about what type of job I will get. I grew up on a farm and enjoy figuring out how...
  34. J

    Help with mechanical engineering

    Hey, I'm only young 13.. i want to be a mechanical engineer when I'm older.. when I'm in year 11 what subjects should i choose? like physics, maths etc. and at a young age what can i learn a bit now that will help me when I'm older. thanks.
  35. S

    Help on Senior Elective for Mechanical Engineering

    Group 1: ME 422 ---- Introduction to Combustion ME 423 ---- Intermediate Mechanics of Deformable solids ME 425 ---- Experimental Mechanics ME 426 ---- Introduction to Composite Materials ME 432 ---- Intermediate Fluid Mechanics ME 440 ---- Aerospace Engineering Fundamentals ME 444 ----...
  36. J

    Engineering Engineering Physics / Mechanical Engineering

    I am currently a senior in high school who will be attending Cornell U this fall. I have applied to Cornell intending to graduate on Engineering Physics. However, through some research, I have found that not many people focus much on Mechanical Engineering while majoring in EP and found more...
  37. A

    Mechanical Engineering start-over

    Declaration of Need To Improve World Life Style, and Environment, Through Better Energy Management! In relation to the energy field, current technology is leading us into stagnation! Today, piston engine technology is available that will effectively renovate the machine age. Society is...
  38. F

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering good career options

    Hey all... I've got a good friend of mine who's graduating this May from University of Alaska Fairbanks with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He's also getting married this July and moving to Indiana (around Warsaw) to be with his wife while she finishes up a degree. My question is...
  39. Y

    Mechanical Engineering Project, Need A Creative Mind

    Mechanical Engineering Project, Need A Creative Mind! Please Help! Ok well I think I've figured out what I am going to do for my project, but I just need a little help to finish it off. So the idea is that there is a semicircle fountain/pond and we have to build an object that will get an...
  40. M

    Programs Student Struggling to Decide: Physics or Mechanical Engineering?

    It's time to register for classes again and I'm afraid I have a slight dilemma. My major, currently, is Physics. I enjoy Physics and I have no wish to transfer out of it, but I have no interest whatsoever in doing pure physics as a career (research and teaching aren't my style, neither are the...
  41. M

    Schools Mechanical engineering Grad School- MEMS

    Hey, my company may be sending me to get a masters in mechanical engineering, particularly for small electromechanical engineering. It's not quite MEMS, but I think MEMS best applies and that was specifically what my manager is asking for. So, what grad schools have good MEMS programs...
  42. D

    Engineering MSc in Mechanical Engineering?

    Universities offer a MEng in mechanical engineering, but what is a Master of Science in Mechanical engineering? What are the differences and what do they do?? Thanks DoubleMint
  43. B

    Choosing Between Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

    Electrical? Mechanical? I've chosen engineering because I want to have tangible evidence of my accomplishments. I would love a hands-on career in which I am creating, testing, analyzing; a career in which I am advancing a technology, making more efficient, economical, and/or powerful. But...
  44. B

    Programs Mechanical Engineering degree helpful for non-engineers?

    I'm about two years from completing a mech engineering degree, and I've realized that the thought of having a 9-5, 8 hours a day / 5 day a week job doesn't appeal to me. What I'd really like to do is work as a freelance programmer (ideally as a game designer, though realistically I'll only...
  45. C

    Applied math or mechanical engineering

    i'm currently a physics and applied math double major considering applying to grad schools next fall. i plan on going to graduate school to study applied math or engineering. I'm worried that not too many companies will want someone with an applied math degree who studied modeling. my...
  46. R

    Programs Best subject to take for Mechanical Engineering major?

    Hello all, I'm currently entering my second year of a Bachelor of Mechanical Systems degree, hoping to move into Masters of Mechanical or Mechatronics engineering. I've got to decide on a science elective and I've got it down to two: Thermal and Classical Physics: This subject...
  47. R

    Which school is better for studying the M. Tech of mechanical engineering?

    which school is better for studying the M. Tech of mechanical engineering? Indian institute of technology(IIT-Delhi) or Chalmers technical university-Sweden?
  48. B

    Engineering Aerospace vs. Mechanical Engineering Careers

    I am just entering as a junior in my undergrad program, and have one semester left of classes which can apply to either degree. So soon I will have to make a concrete choice regarding which degree I am going for. Hopefully some ME's or ASE's out there can give me some advice. Personally...
  49. S

    Mechanical engineering - Cam Laws - Ct Accel.

    1. Homework Statement If you could please tell me the "fall" laws for displacement, velocity and acceleration for a cam with constant acceleration. 3. The Attempt at a Solution Could only manage to find the laws for the rising part, in a 1996 book. Didnt find the laws on google...
  50. M

    Mechanical Engineering - Pin joint Framework problem

    Homework Statement A framework of pin jointed members has to be designed to support a plug introduced into the reservoir wall to prevent leakage and further progression of a crack along the wall. The plug is cylindrical, has a diameter of 0.35 m and is supported by a single pin joint. The...
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