Mechanical Engineering - Report Example

Mechanical Engineering Email address: The motivation and inspiration for become a mechanical engineer has been triggered by a number of factors. The world is slowly becoming a global village and engineering technology in the 21st century is the tool to achieve this. This kind of environment where everything has turned to be dynamic hence created various technological challenges has increased my interest in this field to find solutions for these problems [1]. I also have a great passion for mathematics and physics which are the core subjects in mechanical engineering. I have an extensive interest in use of computers and as a result, I’m able to complete my assignments and research work in time at school. This has generated a great motivation for me to venture into this field. My desire to do something that will impact on the society summarizes the motivation behind my interest in mechanical engineering. With technology that is evolving on a daily basis, I will be able to make a major contribution to the welfare of the society [1]. In the field of engineering, mechanical engineering is recognized as the oldest discipline with the widest scope. This fact has been a great motivation in my choice of the engineering discipline to pursue. Mechanical engineering makes use of mechanical principles, materials and energy in order the creation of designs and maintenance of mechanical systems. In the field of mechanics, heat is usually produced and together with mechanical power and used in production and operation of machines. Therefore, it can be stated that mechanical engineering deals with the ideas regarding forces and motion of bodies. Mechanical engineers use mathematical methods together with their knowledge about thermodynamics and properties of materials to solve mechanical problems [1]. There is a wide range of the evidence of existence of mechanical engineering in the world for thousands of years. Between the years 10 and 70 AD, Heron of Alexandria made the first steam engine. This development was a result of Archimedes’ work in his native Greek nation between the years 212 and 287 BC. Proceeding the year 139 AD, the seismometer was invented by Zhang Zeng of China and this device was used to enhance the water clock. During the same period, Ma Ju also developed the first chariot that had different gears. With time, there were more developments in mechanical engineering over the years and more sophisticated devices were invented. The 18th century marked a major milestone in the field of mechanical engineering during the industrial revolution in Europe. In 1847, the first union of professional mechanical engineers was formed in Britain. The following year in 1848, the first grinding machines factory in Germany was started by Johan Von Zimmerman. On the other side of the world in the USA, the American society of mechanical engineers was formed in 1880 to help advance this field. Throughout the 19th century, there was great increase in the field of mechanical engineering as a result of the major developments in the field of physics. During this period, the production of machines, tools and engines increased tremendously in Europe. This has eventually proved to be a major pillar in the development of the modern technology [1]. Mechanical engineering as a profession can be defined as being individualistic, flexible and having a definite breadth. Mechanical engineers mainly deal with research activities, creation of designs, development of system, manufacturing and testing of the developed tools, machines and engines. As an engineering discipline that has a very wide scope, it involves the movement of a given particle to its composite structure [1]. Mechanical engineers also make use of a wide range of fluids including both liquids and gases. The power generating machines such as intercombustion engines or gas turbines are manufactured by mechanical engineers. They also work on machines such as air conditioners, robots and material handling systems that consume energy for them to be in operation. It is also important to point out that mechanical engineers are also involved in the design and production of tools and materials that are used by engineers operating in the other fields. It therefore be stated that the basic objective of mechanical engineering is to analyze, design and synthesize. After visualization and statement of the problem, computer models and various tests can be used to get solutions for various problems [2]. A modern evidence of mechanical engineering today is the advancement that has been gained in the car manufacture industry. There has been a major increase in the design and building of new cars in the 21st century. This has shown the ability of mechanical engineers to produce cars with different amounts of power, size, weight, shape flexibility and safety. These determinate factors have been integrated to develop the car industry. Mechanical engineering has also been advanced to the aerospace industry problems [2]. The transmission by information using rocket boosters has been developed and remains to be a major pillar of the modern technology. In this kind of transmission, fluid power coupling is used in the application of large amounts of power and as a result, conventional procedures of transmission can no longer work as a result of the weight and inertia that is experienced [2]. The systems and processes that drive modern technology and industrialization are created in the field of mechanical engineering. Practitioners in the field of mechanical engineering have made great contributions in the field of industrialization including categories such as; aerospace sciences, computer engineering and electronics, automotive engineering, manufacturing and chemical engineering, construction and civil engineering, medicine and pharmaceutics and governance. According to Grigorian & Khozina, the field of entertainment is heavily reliant on mechanical engineering in the development of amusement parks and various types of effects. Mechanical engineering is a tool for enhancing social interaction as a result of construction of bridges that establish links between differen communities. Some of the major achievements of mechanical engineering in the 20th century are the widespread electrification, connection of people to radio and television sets, constructio of highways, manufacture of automobiles and airplanes, increased mechanization in agricultureto increase production, use of air conditioning and refrigeration facilities the use of high performance household appliances. These achievements ave helped to raise the standards of living of the different members of the society. These ativities are the basic tasks that a mechanical engineer must achieve [4]. In addition, mechanical engineers have been very pivotal in the development of modern day computers. Major efforts have been put into the advancement of computer technology from the analog system to the modern day digital systems. The use of computers, mobile phones and the internet in modern day education helps to improve learning. The health sector is heavily dependent on mechanical engineering in the supply and distribution of water and the advancement of its technologies. These achievements are basically the roles that mechanical engineering has played in civilization [4]. Mechanical engineering has a large number of sub disciplines within its structure and this gives the engineers various roles [1]. Some of the sub disciplines deals with pure mechanics while others integrate other fields into them. An example of a sub discipline of mechanical engineering is engineering mechanics. The engineers who specialize in this field usually focus entirely on the relationship between forces exerted and the matters receiving it. They are able to perform analysis of acceleration and deformation under specifically defined forces. It is important to note that the field of mechatronics is closely related to robotics. The engineers who work in this field focus exclusively on the production of hybrid systems that work with a particular software. In the field of robotics, engineers use products of mechatronics to come up with robots who work in industries performing very dangerous tasks. Engineers who deal with structural analysis usually examine and provide solutions for objects in order for them to perform [1]. Mechanical engineers normally face a wide range of problems mainly design related problems. This can be attributed to the fact that most of the design works are usually open ended and may not offer the best solutions for the problem at hand. Also, this can be attributed to the fact that major changes are being experienced in the world in all sectors of the society including the economy, political life and the social life of the communities. This prompts mechanical engineers to develop solutions for the problems emanating from these changes. What is considered today as modern technology could be deemed obsolete within a given period of time and therefore engineers must cope with the changes [3]. In future, I want to rise to the level of management in this field. This will basically be tied to the main objective of mechanical engineering which calls for one to keep learning on a continuous basis. Extensive scholarly research will be carried out throughout the career and this will help in the development my career in mechanical engineering. References [1] Frolov, Paul, Mechanical Engineering, Moscow: Mechanical Engineering Research Institute , 2008. [2] Grigorian, Gatz,. & Kozhina, Lee. Science and Technology Monuments in the Museums of Russia, 3rd edn, Moscow : Znaniye, 2000. [3] Stenseng, Hensen, The future of the hotel industry, Oslo: Oslo School of Management, class of 2013. [4] University of Lousville. Important Mechanical Engineering Contributions.Lousville AGE, 2008. Read More