Mechanical Engineering And Science - Research Paper Example

Technology refers to the methods used in collecting, modifying, and arranging information for the main purpose of developing a machine or a project. Bird and Ross (2012) explains that technology plays a great role in influencing people and giving them the ability to control their environment. This term technology can be used to imply a specific area, or a general area. Examples of areas where technology has played a great role, is in the fields of construction, information, medical, mechanical, electronic, etc. This paper examines the field of mechanical engineering, and this is mostly because of my interest in pursuing this field. It is important to understand that mechanical engineering is one of the oldest fields of technological innovations to exist. Mechanical engineering refers to a branch of engineering that is responsible for applying the concepts of engineering, material science and physics with the main intention of designing, analyzing, manufacturing and maintenance of mechanical systems. It further involves the production and usage of mechanical power and heat for purposes of designing, producing and operating tools and machines Skills in mechanical engineering have helped to develop vehicles which are an essential component of the transportation industry. Vehicles have played a great role in improving the economy of states, this is mostly because they transport products and goods to places of production. The field of engineering that produces vehicles and automobiles is referred to as mechanics, and it is the most popular field of study, in mechanical engineering. He (2014) explains that the major role of mechanical engineers is to develop a product from an idea, and take it to the market place. In order to achieve this mission, an individual requires a wide range of skills. A mechanical engineer has to understand the various forces and a thermal environment of a product, its subsystem, and its parts. This would help an individual to design their functionality and aesthetics for purposes of enabling the products to withstand the thermal environment and forces that they will be placed to. This would further help in determining the best way of manufacturing them, and ensuring that they do not operate without failure. He (2014) explains that one notable skill that mechanical engineers have, is the ability and capability of designing systems and objects that have motion and hence can move. These skills are a requirement in designing and developing almost anything here on earth. Based on these facts, mechanical engineering is the widest and largest technological science that an individual can study. Bird and Ross (2012) therefore give an explanation that mechanical engineering plays a central role in industries such as aerospace, automotive, computers and electronics, automotive, energy conversion, environmental control, manufacturing, etc. Bird and Ross (2012) further explains that mechanical engineers are able to learn about solid and fluid mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, instrumentation, control, etc. There are different sub-branches of mechanical engineering, and they include structural analysis, mechatronic and robotics, mechanics, design and drafting, and thermo science. My major interest in the study of mechanical engineering is in the field of mechatronic and robotics. Mechatronics is a field of engineering that consists of electrical, mechanical and software engineering. This field of engineering concerns itself with integrating mechanical and electronic engineering for purposes of creating a hybrid system. Through this method, it becomes possible to automate machines by using servo-mechanisms, electric motors and other electronic systems. This field of mechanical engineering also requires knowledge on software engineering. This is because engineers would use special software’s for purposes of creating machines and tools. A good example of a mechatronic device is the CD-ROM computer drive. A mechanical system is responsible for opening and closing the CD drive, spinning the CD, and moving the laser. On the other hand, an optical system is able to read the data or information contained in the CD, converting it to bits. Furthermore, integrated software is responsible for controlling the process, and communicating the contents of a CD to the computer. This is a new field of mechatronics that has gained prominences in the 20th and 21st century. It is important to denote that without skills and knowledge in information technology, the development t of computer systems such as CD drives could not be possible. This technology has improved the manner in which people are able to share information and knowledge through computers. Based on these facts, it is therefore my desire to study mechanical engineering, with the aim of acquitting skills in software development. Some of the most important projects that are developed through the use of computer software’s include social media sites such as face book, twitter, instagram, linked, etc. Murzin (2013) explains that this technology in software development has played a great role in changing the manner in which the world is communicating. For instance, social networking sites such as face book and twitter are able to provide information to a large number of people within an instant. Furthermore, business organizations can use social networking sites for purposes of advertising their products. Based on this fact, social networking sites have helped in improving the economy of states. Despite this advantage, social networking sites have a series of disadvantages, and one major disadvantage is the loss of privacy. This is because people are able to provide their personal information, and this information is accessed by third parties. Parker-pope (2010) further explains that due to the emergence of the social media, people have spent so much time these sites, affecting their productivity at the work place. Based on this fact, He (2014) advocates against the development of social media sites. However, these assertions are not true, because positive use of technology can greatly help in improving the lives of people. For example, due to the advances of information technology, it is now possible for people to carry out business transactions through the internet. This is an aspect referred to as e-commerce. Due to the emergence of the social media and technologies that surround the development of the social media, governments are able to improve on the manner in which they provide services to their citizens. This is an aspect referred to as e-governance. Based on these facts, it is therefore possible to denote that technological innovations supplement each other. The principles of information technology can be used in mechanical engineering, and on the other hand, product made from mechanical engineering can be used by information technology. An example is the computer CD drive. Bird and Ross (2012) explains that majority of mechanical engineering companies have incorporated computer-aided engineering (C.A.E) designs, into their analysis and design processes. This includes 3D and 2D computer aided designs (CAD). This new methods of engineering has a number of advantages, and this includes easier visualization of products, and the ability to develop virtual assemblies of various parts of a product. Murzin (2013) explains that some of the other CAE programs that are used by mechanical engineers also include the PLM, which is an abbreviation for product lifecycle management tools, and tools of analysis which are used to carry out complex simulations. Tools of analysis are also used to predict how a product would respond to the expected loads, and this includes manufacturability of the product under consideration, and the fatigue life of the product. Murzin (2013) identifies these tools as, finite element analysis, computer-aided manufacturing, computational fluid dynamics, etc. These tools of information technology can help the mechanical engineers to cheaply and quickly develop the design of a product or substance. Furthermore, there is no need of creating a physical prototype before the designs are completed. This allows so many designs to be evaluated within a short period of time. He (2014) explains that the analysis of the CAE programs have the capability of modeling complicated physical phenomena’s, which is difficult to solve by hand. The uses of these techniques are the modern methods in which mechanical engineers use for purposes of designing movable products. It is important to denote that students of mechanical engineering are not only limited to the above mentioned career choices. There are other careers that these students can pursue. For instance, a student who manages to achieve a graduate status in the field of mechanical engineering can get involved in the field of research and academia. Furthermore, these students are equipped with creative skills, and hence they have the capability of employing themselves, designing a new product, ability at overcoming the constraints associated with their jobs, and the ability to work as a team. These skills obtained while pursuing a career in mechanical engineering can also propel an individual to seek a career in law, medicine, finance, banking, management, etc. In conclusion, mechanical engineering is an important field of engineering. This is because nearly all movable products are built through knowledge derived from this course. Technology is an aspect that keeps on changing, and this affects the engineering field. Due to the evolution of technology, it is now possible to use some aspects of information technology, in mechanical engineering. References: Bird, J. O., & Ross, C. T. (2012). Mechanical engineering principles (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. He, W. (2014). Dynamics and control of mechanical systems in offshore engineering. London: Springer. Murzin, D. (2013). Engineering Catalysis. Berlin: De Gruyter. Parker-pope, T. (2010, June 6). An Ugly Toll of Technology: Impatience and Forgetfulness. The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brainside.html?ref=yourbrainoncomputers&_r=0 Read More