Mechanical Engineering is just like any other field of study. It has many subjects under it that are then related to many other subjects even outside the field. As a result, we also have design and manufacturing in mechanical engineering. These two areas are what we often associate with the textile industry, and the engineering world seems too technical for these two areas. However, they are an integral part of mechanical engineering.
In engineering, people must be creative to come up with solutions. Engineering is not only building the same parts repeatedly or fixing simple problems with textbook solutions. Sometimes, the solutions will need to be invented, designed, and manufactured by engineers.
What Does the Course Include?
Designing in engineering includes in-depth analysis. The problem will need to be looked over with a critical eye that is used to coming up with practical problems. After the problem is identified and evaluated, the process of coming up with a solution falls on the engineers. If their solution requires the invention of new mechanical parts, the task falls to the mechanical designers. They will design parts that meet the requirements of the engineers’ solutions.
CAD software can help design 2D or 3D drafts of the required pieces. Although it is not easy, it is becoming easier with current technology. And the software design is also preferred over hard copies of the ideas, which are not easily changeable. To have usable drafts of the parts needed, they will have to create prototypes, which falls under manufacturing. Several design engineer courses, both online and offline, offer beginner and advanced courses in the field of designing.
How is Manufacturing Related?
Another very important field that falls under mechanical engineering is manufacturing. The first manufactured product will have to be a simple prototype to ensure correct dimensions. They might also have to try different materials if this is a new invention. Manufacturing will require proper knowledge of materials, their qualities, and how they react to other elements and materials. Shaping these materials will also require skills and knowledge of methods of building. For example, a laser might work on some, but sharp metal might work better on others.
Prototypes are, therefore, very important in manufacturing. Prototypes can help engineers detect design, material problems, etc. Engineers may depend on software designs to visualise the solution, but manufacturing is essential actually to arrive at the solution.
Conclusion
Mechanical engineering requires bright minds that can think of out-of-the-box solutions for problems that seem impossible to solve. It also requires skill and experience in the fields of design and manufacturing. Learning in a class is important, but the best engineers are those who learn through experience. Design is not easy to do, to visualise how the solution will look and get its dimensions correct, all on software. Manufacturing, too, will not be easier with experience, but it helps. Even when building just a prototype, the experience will help quicken the process of getting the materials right.
