MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

  MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

- Dr. M. Siva Prakash, M.E, Ph.D 

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.


 

History of Mechanical Engineering  

Mechanical engineering has always existed from the human life started  for example, the emergence of works on mechanics and the development of the first machines in ancient Greece, medieval China, and Antiquity. Indeed, the first steam engine is dated from ancient Greece, with the work of Heon of Alexandria. Then, during the Islamic Golden Age (from 7th to 15th century), a lot of things has been made regarding mechanical design. One of the best examples is certainly the book of Al-Jazari, written in 1206: Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices.


Indeed, what we know today as mechanical engineering really started with the Industrial Revolution with a growing demand for machinery in the latter part of the 18th century, with the development of steam engines. Indeed, the evolution of mechanical engineering comes with the development of tooling and machinery.

The first professional society for mechanical engineers, the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, was formed in the United Kingdom in 1847. Since then, this engineering branch has obviously evolved.
 
Development of physics and machine tools during the 19th century allowed the separation of mechanical engineering from engineering. This actually led to the manufacturing of machine and engines, in order to power them! Indeed, one of the first challenges of mechanical engineering was the creation of power-driven systems.
Manufacturing is obviously evolving all along with the development of civilization. The first power-driven machines were made during the 19th century, then, during the 20th century more advanced systems were built, and laser-based manufacturing started to grow. In the 21st century, technologies such as 3D printing are seriously starting to take over in some sectors.   
This discipline quickly evolved with the understanding of mechanical science, which includes dynamics, thermodynamics, the use of different forms of heat, the creation of energy, power, heat transfer and so on.
 
There is always a big need for development in machinery and automation of production. All machine tools and components need to be created by engineers with great knowledge and skills, allowing them to innovate and find the best mechanical systems possible.Mechanical engineering is on the basis of the creation of machines actually allowing the production of goods.
 
It is also one of its main uses. Mechanical engineering has basically been developed because of a need for improvement regarding power and energies. Creation of turbines and nuclear energy are developed thanks to mechanical engineering.It is also really present in the transportation field, where it is helping to create equipment and power, in collaboration with electrical engineers.
 

 
Working as a mechanical engineer obviously requires a great knowledge of mechanical science, in order to invent functional systems. Education in mechanical engineering has historically been based on a strong foundation in mathematics and science.   Education is adapting to the rapid changes in technologies. You will know everything about material strength, physical science, production and industrial engineering, and so on! Everything you will need to be part of the future of mechanical engineering!
 
He has to analyze problems and develop mechanical devices to solve them. Constantly innovating, the mechanical engineer will work on design and redesign, develop prototypes, work on tests results, and follow the manufacturing process. It can be batteries, power-producing machines like internal combustion engines, gas turbines or any systems like refrigeration or air-conditioning.

 

Don’t hesitate to share with us your views on the evolution of mechanical engineering.
 

 

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