Transcript Engineering Information

Engineering
What is engineering?
Engineering is the art of applying scientific, mathematical
and physical principles, experience, judgment, and
common sense to construct (or engineer) things meet a
specific need and benefit people. Engineers design
everything from bridges to heart valves, jet fighters to
pollution containment systems. There are various types of
engineering work, the largest being chemical, civil,
electrical, industrial, mechanical and computer
engineering. More specialised engineering fields include
aerospace, ocean, nuclear, biological, and environmental
engineering.
If you are interested in the latest technical developments,
you might consider a career as a research engineer. If you
have lots of ideas and creativity, design engineering may
be for you. Analytical engineers are methodical people
working with figures and physical laws. If you like
conducting laboratory experiments, look into becoming a
development engineer. Sales engineering could be a good
choice if you are charismatic, an excellent communicator
and enjoy working with people. There are so many
aspects to engineering you can choose from!
Types of Engineering
Engineering is a highly diverse sector comprised of many
disciplines. All are highly technical and deal with the
development of solutions and new applications. The
sections following address the key disciplines of
engineering.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers are involved in all aspects of chemical
production, research and design, construction and the operation
of industrial plants.
Chemical engineers will usually specialise in one area, such as
food, pharmaceuticals, heat transfer and energy conversion,
petrochemicals (chemicals made from petroleum or natural
gas), or consumer products such as plastics, detergents, paint,
and synthetic textiles.
They develop equipment to manufacture chemicals and related
products, conduct research to develop new manufacturing
processes, analyse operating procedures, equipment and
machinery functions, and make recommendations for reducing
processing time and cost.
They design equipment for safe storage and transportation of
chemical solids, liquids, and gases, as well as design control
systems for chemical plants, based upon data from lab
experiments and pilot plant operations.
Working as part of a team, they coordinate with scientists and
other engineers to find solutions for environmental or biomedical
problems.
Other chemical engineers, who have knowledge and experience
in both the scientific and production aspects of the work, may be
employed as administrators, project directors, sales engineers,
or technical consultants.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineers will design, produce, maintain and
develop machines. Whether building components, engines or
entire systems, Mechanical Engineers are bound only by the
limits of their imaginations and the laws of physics.
Examples of the kind of projects specialist mechanical
engineers would work upon include automated assembly line
robots, defense systems, railway maintenance vehicles,
machine tools, and F1 racing cars.
Mechanical Engineers are also involved with the conversion of
energy to other forms for example internal combustion engines
and large power-generating stations.
The field is varied and Mechanical Engineers can work in
different areas including: design, testing, manufacturing/plant
engineering, sales or teaching.
Computers have become an integral part of the mechanical
engineer's role. Using CAD systems they can create realistic
geometric models of objects and view these models from any
angle they choose. Particularly exciting is that engineers can
now output these 3D designs to a solid object printer which
outputs a plastic/wax prototype in 3D.
During the testing process if problems arise the test engineers
may recommend design changes, perhaps changes to
materials, particular components or manufacturing procedures.
Mechanical Engineers design, install and operate complex
manufacturing systems comprised of people, materials,
robotics and other automated equipment. Working in teams
with design and test engineers, they develop the product and
the production process concurrently.
Sales of sophisticated technical products frequently require
knowledge of how the device or system operates. Therefore,
Mechanical Engineers are sometimes employed as sales
representatives. They solicit new business and furnish
technical assistance to customers; they also provide feedback
to design engineers on customer problems and needs.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical and Electronics engineers are involved in the
science that studies elementary particles called Electrons.
There is a distinct difference between the two types: Electrical
Engineers specialise in the production, transmission and uses
of electrical power. Electronics Engineers are more involved
with low power applications including radio and television,
computers and telephones.
When Edison first patented the light bulb electricity was
considered a novelty, today it is a necessity. Heating our water
and homes, and powering the digital revolution. It is an
exciting and profitable industry to be involved with, from the
latest communication systems to computer chip evolution,
global positioning and data storage.
We still rely heavily on fossil fuels for our power, Electrical
Engineers work in plant construction and design, and try to
source new more efficient energy systems.
Many Engineers also write technical manuals, instructional
pamphlets, and installation instructions.
Electrical and Electronics Engineers frequently present the
findings of their work in oral presentations, as well as in
technical reports. This requires the keeping of accurate
records of all work performed and the ability to clearly
communicate findings and results. Much of their time is also
spent consulting with specialists in other engineering
disciplines and business occupations.
Industrial Engineering
Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways for an
organisation to use the basic factors of production-people,
machines, materials, information, and energy-to make a
product or provide a service.
They are the link between management goals and
operational performance. They are more concerned with
increasing productivity through the management of people,
methods of business organisation, and technology than the
engineers in other specialties, who generally work more with
products or processes.
To solve organisational, production, and related problems
most efficiently, industrial engineers carefully study the
product and its requirements, use mathematical methods
such as operations research to meet those requirements,
and design manufacturing and information systems.
Industrial engineers determine which plant location has the
best combination of raw materials availability, transportation,
and costs. They also develop wage and salary administration
systems and job evaluation programs.
Industrial Engineers must also understand ergonomics
(which seeks to adapt working conditions to suit the worker)
and consider how the machines and work environment affect
the worker. They design work stations to reduce fatigue and
prevent discomfort and work related injuries. They check the
fit of chairs, the positioning of equipment, computers and
keyboards, and the height of desks and tables.
Industrial Engineers are sometimes known as manufacturing
engineers, operations or systems analysts, process
engineers or facilities engineers.
Many industrial engineers move into management positions
because the work is closely related.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineers are either concerned with software or
hardware. Software engineers are skilled programmers. The
language currently most in demand is C++. Software engineers
construct complex solutions, for example defense missile
guidance systems, navigation, communication.
Software engineers require a very logical thought process and
methodical mind. Firstly they have to think of a solution to a
problem, and this is a problem because there are usually many
many different ways of programming to the same effect. Then
after completion, if there is a problem they have to go back and
check where the problem is, this could mean pawing over reams
and reams of code, isolating and checking each section.
Hardware engineers are closely related to electronic engineers,
usually dealing solely with computer systems. They design
processors, disk drives and monitors. As with other engineers
they maintain current technology whilst constantly looking to find
new, faster, more efficient ways of doing things.
Often working in teams; there are aspects of project planning,
coordinating the activities of team members and managing
resources, time management, and taking an active role in
quality improvement.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineers plan, design, and direct the construction and
maintenance of roads, roundabouts, bridges, pipelines, airports,
amenity infrastructure, and many other types of facilities.
They may work in a specific field such as construction, land
development, structural or hydraulic design, soil mechanics, waste
water treatment, or solid waste management.
They identify a need, survey and take measurements, then
propose solutions based around the local topography, geology,
population habits, etc.
They may go into the field to make sure that work in progress
conforms to the plans and specifications; they may also inspect
existing structures that may need repair or replacement. In
transportation, engineers design streets and highways and plan
alterations to improve traffic flow.
They may also prepare reports on environmental impact. Civil
engineers may further specialise in a particular part of the process
such as improving traffic signs, planning and designing impact
devices, or studying pedestrian traffic. Others study population
growth and industrial trends to determine future transportation
needs.