What is the importance of computing in mechanical engineering?

Answer 1

Computer Engineering is the science of programming. Mechanical Engineering is a wide field that covers subjects from material properties (used in everything from developing chips to earth-moving machines). A typical Mechanical Engineer will have a variety of skills that envolve "dynamics", "statics", and a lot of other fun stuff. However, to know how to program things that involve Mechanical Engineering, you would need to know a fair amount of the subject. Knowing how to program something without knowing how it works would need...at best an interprerter. I have an electronic, electrical, and chemical background; however I know how to program a lot of things and have a few computer languages under my belt. My experience is that to know the real world around you and knowing some languages is a lot more helpful than just programming. Of course, I am a little biased, but if you see my logic, you can see that knowing Engineering helps you to understand the world around you and you become a much more effective programmer or Systems manager. Life is difficult, Love difficult.

Answer 2

Mechanical Engineering is a field that is responsible for operation and manufacturing of machines. In order to do so in this field of prefession, computing is necessary since you deal with how a machine works and how you design it. There will be question about the right size of pieces and the mechanism of the machine so that it would work. This means using numerical value to make the mechanism work.
Mechanical Engineering withComputer Science

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Mechanical Engineers rely heavily on computers as a tool to design equipment, analyze flow patterns, predict energy transfers, establish stress and strain patterns and to control machines and processes. The great strides in space exploration, spacecraft design, power station design, the many innovations in travel and agriculture all trace their success to the importance of Engineers being able to simulate and solve complex problems on computers. Clearly the current and future Mechanical Engineering practitioner must be highly computer literate. The demand for Mechanical Engineers is very high, but the demand for an Engineer with a combined Mechanical Engineering and a Computer Science degree is overwhelming.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FUNCTIONS

Four functions of the mechanical engineer can be cited.

1. understanding and dealing with the bases of mechanical science. These include dynamics, concerning the relation between forces and motion, such as in vibration; automatic control; thermodynamics, dealing with the relations among the various forms of heat, energy, and power; fluid flow; heat transfer; lubrication; and properties of materials.

2. the sequence of research, design, and development. This function attempts to bring about the changes necessary to meet present and future needs. Such work requires a clear understanding of mechanical science, an ability to analyze a complex system into its basic factors, and the originality to synthesize and invent.

3. the production of products and power, which embraces planning operations, and maintenance. To produce the maximum value with the minimum investment and cost while maintaining or enhancing long term viability and reputation of the enterprise.

4. the co-ordinating function of the mechanical engineer, including management, consulting, and in some cases, marketing.

In these functions there is a long continuing trend towards the use of scientific methods. Operations research, value engineering, and PABLA (problem analysis by logical approach) are typical titles of such rationalized approaches. Creativity, the ability to take the important and unexpected step that opens up new solutions remains in mechanical engineering, as elsewhere, largely a personal and spontaneous characteristic.

EXAMPLES OF WHAT MECHANICAL ENGINEERS DO INCLUDE:

• Motor vehicle engine design to increase efficiency, reduce weight etc.

• Motor vehicle body and component design for function, aesthetics and aerodynamics

• Aircraft engine and body design, maintenance, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis

• Manufacturing equipment design, maintenance, condition monitoring and fault diagnosis

• Production planning in manufacturing or mining industries

• Quality control of manufactured products

• Design of novel consumer products

• Management consulting-organisational troubleshooting and efficiency improvement

• Environmental pollution control

• Occupational and environmental noise and vibration control

• Mechanical services in buildings -design and maintenance(e.g. air conditioning)

• Design and layout of new production lines for bulk manufacturing of products

• Introduction of new technology to increase efficiency in industry

• Computer modelling to improve products design and manufacturing processes

• Development of new materials(including polymers and steels)

• Development of better ways of joining materials together (e.g. new welding technologies)

• Design of spacecraft and associated launch hardware

• Aid worker, helping third world countries by installing essential services

• Water supply engineer responsible for operation of large pumping stations

• Electricity generation or distribution engineer responsible for installation and maintenance of power generation and powerdistribution equipment

• Gas turbine designer

• Technical manual writer

• Manager of specific projects

• Manager of specialised engineering aspects of companies

• Inventor (new equipment and processes)

• Computer analyst developing new and more efficient products
Computers play major roles in all engineering fields these days. Computer Aided Design (CAD) is computer software used to create logical models which can be manipulated and validated virtually to assist in the overall design process.