why mech

What is Mechanical Engineering?

The mechanical engineer has been called the general practitioner and the jack-of-all trades among engineering professions because of the education and skills that span a broad range of technical, social, environmental, and economic problems. In general, however, the mechanical engineer is concerned with controlling the principles of motion, energy, and force through mechanical solutions.

A mechanical engineer designs the tools and processes to used for satisfying the needs of society through a combination of material, human, and economic resources. They might work on electric generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and other power-generating machines. They might also develop machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, power tools, and other power-using machines.

"The scientist explores what is; the engineer creates what has not been."
-- Theodore Von Karman

What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

The diverse mechanical engineering field can be divided in a variety of ways in terms of job functions. Some of the most common functions relate to these areas of technology, but not all do. Among these fields are:

• Product Design -- developing products ranging from biomedical products to gasoline-powered engines. A mechanical engineer designs anything that uses mechanical motion.
• Research and Development -- discovering new solutions to human needs or improving older methods.
• Manufacturing -- developing the machines that process materials into products. Designing and building machines and systems of machines that improve operating efficiency is of prime importance.
• Systems management -- overseeing operations of a large system such as a power plant as well as supervising the people who work there.
• Energy -- planning how energy is generated, stored, and moved. Industries that produce and deliver electrical power such as natural gas and oil employ mechanical engineers to develop more fuel-efficient cars, motors, and appliances.
• Marketing -- using a technical background for determining the need for a new or modified product, product availability, market size, cost structure, profitability, specifications, and distribution channels.