What is Mechanical engineer: Definition and 97 Discussions

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.Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge and analytical tools to complete the difficult task of shaping an idea into reality.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 18th century; however, its development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. In the 19th century, developments in physics led to the development of mechanical engineering science. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology. It also overlaps with aerospace engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts. Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of biomedical engineering, specifically with biomechanics, transport phenomena, biomechatronics, bionanotechnology, and modelling of biological systems.

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  1. A

    Engineering Guidance on choosing electrical or mechanical engineer

    I seem to be at a stalemate. I have an interest in the workings of all things, I enjoy getting my hands dirty and getting hands-on with my job and designing new things which mechanical engineering gives more opportunity for (I understand somewhat that they have other people to do that for...
  2. T

    How useful is mathematical proof as a mechanical engineer?

    Specifically I plan on specializing as a Mechatronics engineer. I recently bought the book "Mathematical Proofs: A Transition to Advanced Mathematics" and I plan to study it on my own due to curiosity and interest towards mathematics. I would like to listen on one's opinion on how useful it...
  3. T

    Mechanical Engineer Interview for Career Project

    I am working on a career project for school about mechanical engineering. I would prefer to have more than one answer though because it would give me more details of the job and what I could expect from it. If you would like to give me any tips, recommend some colleges, important things to know...
  4. V

    Engineering Mechanical Engineer at a Nuclear Power Plant

    Can anyone tell me who is a Mechanical Engineer and works in a Nuclear Power Plant, just what their daily duties include? How they like the work environment and such. I'm interested in knowing because as a student, my university has a Co-op program. Recently, I sent out my resume to FirstEnergy...
  5. A

    Work from home as a mechanical engineer?

    is there any work from home as a mechanical engineer?
  6. B

    Engineering How to go from being a physicist to be a mechanical engineer?

    hello all, I am a new here. I just graduated as a physicist. I know that my bachelor on physics will not give me a good job, I am thinking to go from being physicist to be a mechanical engineer. Is that easy? does anyone tried that? what courses do I have to take? and the most important, is this...
  7. W

    Engineering Looking for a Mechanical Engineer to Interview for High School

    Hi, I'm a high-school student and for a Careers assignement we need to interview someone who has a job in a career area we wish to pursue. So, I'm hoping to find a person who a mechnaical engineer who's willing to give answers with some depth and though. An automotive engineer would be even...
  8. Femme_physics

    Mechatronics = Mechanical engineer who knows some electronics?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechatronics According to the defintion, "Mechatronics is the combination of Mechanical engineering, Electronic engineering, Computer engineering, Software engineering, Control engineering, and Systems Design engineering in order to design, and manufacture useful...
  9. D

    Questions for a Mechanical Engineer from a High School Student

    Hello, I am a high school student and am trying to complete an assignment to interview someone in a career field I am interested in - mechanical engineering. Would anyone be willing to answer these questions for me? A PM would be fine if you can. I really appreciate it! What are your...
  10. L

    Engineering The suitable options for a fresh graduate Mechanical Engineer

    Dear Gentlemen, I am a fresh graduate mechanical engineer and I live in Bahrain (middle east) and usually, the positions required in the companies are limited. I want to ask you which of the given positions is preferred for a fresh Mechanical Engineer, most applicable for what I studied, because...
  11. T

    Questions on the responsibilities of a mechanical engineer.

    Hello, my name is Thomas and I am very interested in becoming a mechanical engineer. I am an engine tranny tech at a automotive shop and I am very mechanically inclined. I was wondering if there are any mechanical or electrical engineers that could give me a detailed description of what they...
  12. K

    Interview with a mechanical engineer

    Hello, I wasn't sure where to put this questionnaire, because it says on top do not post homework, but then again, I need to ask real engineers and the other forum is for undergraduates ( I think). Anyway I need to interview a mechanical engineer for my careers class, and I had been hoping that...
  13. S

    Aerospace and/or Mechanical Engineer Degree

    Hey, I always had a passion for space and pretty much anything space related and I've recently decided to change my major (currently liberal Arts & Sciences) to Aerospace engineering so i can pursue a career where I'm apart of the space industry. However, i have read from various forums how...
  14. G

    Aerospace Engineer or Mechanical Engineer?

    Hi, I am trying to decide whether I should major in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. I want to work for Boeing after college doing something with airplanes. I'm going to be a senior in high school next year. Should I go for aerospace or mechanical? I know since I want to work on planes...
  15. G

    Engineering Petroleum Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or Aerospace Engineer?

    Petroleum Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or Aerospace Engineer?? Moderator's note: several related threads have been merged into one. Hi, I am trying to decide between these majors. I am going to be a Senior in High School next year. I live in Washington State. If I was a petroleum...
  16. L

    Engineering Career and school advice for a recently graduated mechanical engineer

    This straddles the line between academic and career guidance, so I picked what I think it's more of. First, some background: I just received my BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland. I have good grades and (I think, at least) good summer job/research experience. Yet...
  17. N

    Electrical or Mechanical Engineer

    Hi All, There have probably been topics similar to this already, but I just want to see what people's advice is given my cirumstances. I already have a BSc in math, went to grad school in math for a year and didn't like it, so have gone back to undergrad for ME, which I will be starting...
  18. A

    Aspiring to become a Mechanical Engineer

    Hello PF users: First off, I would like to say how excited I am to be part of the PF community. I just wanted to make a brief introduction of myself to 'break the ice'. I am a 19 year old student aspiring to become a Mechanical Engineer. I love learning how things work and how to...
  19. J

    Electrical, Electronics or Mechanical engineer?

    What career should I choose? I really don't know what I would like more and this is my first semester in college so I need two more years to learn about either of these field, however, I am taking a Basic Electric Circuits course for electronics engineering right now and well... most of is...
  20. M

    Engineering Career Guidance: Mechanical Engineer BS to Theoretical Physics

    Howdy everyone, I'm at the point were I have to make the decision on my career well actually I'm a semester late but I need help with this. First, my main goal, is to be a theoretical physicist or something along those lines because that's where my interest is but I need a Ph.D. for that and...
  21. K

    Mechanical Engineer Class Interview

    Hello, I am a sophomore and I need to conduct an interview on an engineer in the field i wish to enter into one day, so i was looking for a mechanical engineer, so if someone could get back to me as soon as possible that would be great, thanks for your time, Kevin.Reid414
  22. E

    Engineering Can a Mechanical Engineer do this? Water Industry

    Can a Mechanical Engineer design: -Pump Stations -Water/Waste Treatment Plants -Piping design for water distribution system It seems like the mechanical engineer can only do like equipment selection and installation which sounds real boring. Can an ME design what i mentioned?
  23. A

    Engineering Can a Mechanical Engineer help society?

    Can a Mechanical Engineer help society?? I really much into in how science and technology, math and physics can help society in a practical way(i don't mean that theoretical dosent do any good so don't come with that). Some times i feel science is used just to make unnecesary needs for people...
  24. M

    Advice for a Mechanical Engineer in a Factory

    mechanical engineer :D or :S well i am a mechanical engineer in a factory my job is maintenance of different machines so i am dealing with many mechanical systems also dealing with air compressors pneumatic circuits , hydraulic circuits and air chillers i deal with many things may be...
  25. A

    It is Fun to be a Mechanical Engineer?

    I only left 3 month to choose a career, i love physics and math in overall science and sci-fi. So do you see a lot of physics and science in mechanical engineering? How useful is mechanical engineerng for society?.
  26. A

    Mechanical engineer and physicist?

    Well i would to have a career that have a lot of physics and that one is mechanical engineerng. But i also want to se some day quantum mechanics or something like that, but i don't go in the career of physicist becouse of the low job oportunities, especially here in my country. So it viable to...
  27. W

    Engineering Want to become a mechanical engineer

    Hey, everyone I finally made up my mind on what carreer path I want to get into, but the problem is that it deals with a great deal of math. The same math I rejected as a child. I'm now 20 and since I'm not good at math as of right now I must start from the basic does anyone known the best...
  28. D

    Engineering Physics major vs. mechanical engineer undergrad degree to become an engineer

    physics vs. mechanical engineering undergrad degree to become an engineer hi-- i am an intended mechanical engineering major (undergrad) since that's where i would like to end up professionally. I'm still relatively early on in my education, but upon taking physics I'm struck by how much more...
  29. P

    A mechanical engineer told me Science isn't useful?

    I talked to a mechanical engineer the other day, and he said "Science and physics isn't all that useful." :confused::confused: I'm curious what a good response to that would be? He said when he works on his projects, the "big picture" is the project, and Science and other aspects are only...
  30. O

    MATLAB Should a Mechanical Engineer focus on MATLAB or broaden his horizons?

    I am currently a junior year mechanical engineering major. I have always been interested in programming and throughout the years read books on C and Java. I recently started focusing on MATLAB. We've always had to use it in some of our classes, but I never really dedicated myself to learning...
  31. T

    Becoming a mechanical engineer?

    Since graduating high school in 2007 I've been kind of moping around my parents' house. It's starting to look a little pathetic at this point, so I've decided to attend college this year. Somehow waking up to find that three years has already past by has put me in an unusually motivated mood...
  32. J

    Interview a MECHANICAL ENGINEER

    Hi, I need to interview a mechanical engineer for a school career project, and I was wondering if a mechanical engineer would be kind enough to answer some questions. I am really interested in studying to be one. I'm currently a junior in high school. Here are some questions, and I was wondering...
  33. K

    Engineering Daily Work of a Mechanical Engineer

    Not sure if this is the place for this thread and after looking through 5 pages of a search, I didn't find a similar topic, but please tell me if I'm wrong. As you can tell I'm new, so hello, I'll probably be on here more in a few months as I'll be starting grade 11 and may need help...
  34. C

    Engineering Graduate School Question for a Mechanical Engineer

    Hi, I was wondering if a graduate program exists for product design and development? I have searched google, but haven't found the results I wanted. Would there be another name for a program like this or does it not exist at all?
  35. M

    Interview a Mechanical Engineer,

    Hi, I need to interview a mechanical engineer for a school career project and I was wondering if a mechanical engineer is nice enough to answer some questions. I am really interested in studying to be one (currently a sophomore in High school so it's not that far away) and would really...
  36. T

    Wanted to interview a mechanical Engineer

    Yo can I ask you a few questions for one of my engineering classes. I'm required to interview a engineer. Mechanical Engineering is what I want to do. How did you decide upon this occupation? If you were hiring a person for your job, what are the qualifications for which you would looks...
  37. N

    What Does It Take to Succeed as a Mechanical Engineer?

    I am a high school senior and I was required to interview a profession based upon what I have chosen(mechanical engineer).Basically, what I ask is it is possible for a mechanical engineer with some years in the field take some time to answer these interview questions of mine.The questions are as...
  38. E

    Need to interview a Mechanical Engineer for project.

    I am a junior in high school looking to get into the mechanical engineering field. I have a college research project where I need to find information about the career I wish to do. Part of the project involves me interviewing someone already in the field I have chosen. It's just a few simple...
  39. J

    Interview a mechanical engineer for a project

    I'm a sophmore in high school and I need to interview a mechanical engineer for a project. so if any mechanical engineer could answer the following questions, that would be great. thanks for your time. 1. Describe how mechanical engineering has changed during your lifetime. 2. What...
  40. D

    Mechanical Engineer Research for Aerospace Postgraduate Degree

    hi, I am rigth now a undergraduate pursuing my mechanical degree. I wish to join the best university for my post graduation in aerospace. So what are the fields I should research in as a mechanical engineer.
  41. X

    The average day of a mechanical engineer

    I'm a freshman in college and I'm just wondering what I'm getting myself into... I was hoping all you mechanical engineers can give me examples of the day to day life in the field, whatever field of ME you might be in.
  42. B

    How hard is it to freelance as a Mechanical Engineer?

    I'm almost 25 years old and I've finally started going to college, for a bachelors in mechanical engineering. I feel like it's the perfect major for me: I love math and physics, and I love creating things. My only problem is that I'm not wild about the idea of having a 9-5 job, working 5 days...
  43. E

    Things that a mechanical engineer must know for sure

    suppose someone claims that he's a mechanical engineer who you make sure that he really is, or rather he's a good one?
  44. A

    Im a physics student and was told that a mechanical engineer

    Hey Im a physics student and was told that a mechanical engineer may think or i good idea to help so here goes... (this is what I've posted in the physics forum) Hello I have to complete an experimental physics project for high school physics this year and with help of the physics...
  45. K

    Mechanical engineer who want to work for Biomedical field

    Can a mechanical student easily apply his knowledge of mechanical engineering in Biomedical field? Can a mechanical student easily enter Biomedical field by the time he finish his study?
  46. R

    Mechanical engineer and car engine

    Does every mechanical engineer need to be able to repair Automobile engine?
  47. russ_watters

    Meet the New Moderator: Who is Greg and What Are His Qualifications?

    Figured this forum was as good as any for making a formal introduction since I'm a mechanical engineer with some aerospace background and a computer science/engineering hobby. I'm happy Greg gave me the opportunity to moderate this forum. Its something I've never done before but always had...
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