TO: Jorge Gomez
From: Robert Feagans
Date: September 19th 2011
Subject: Interview on Mechanical engineering
This past Tuesday I completed an interview with Dr. Robert Nichols. My interview contains a basic synopsis of the Mechanical engineering field as a whole. I attempted to ask questions which would further extend my knowledge of the field in order to give me a small preview of what I can expect in this career path. I also wanted to ask questions that would allow me to make a better judgment on whether or not mechanical engineering is something that I would truly enjoy as a career.
In the simplest terms, mechanical engineering is the study of moving structures. For example: gas flow, machines and mechanisms. These objects can range from a watch to a gun. These objects are both mechanisms that use many pieces in conjunction in order to achieve a certain goal, such as firing a bullet or telling time. One of the most common forms of mechanical engineering, and perhaps the most intriguing to me, the engine, combines not only many different mechanisms, but also gas flow and transfer of energy. Many jobs in the mechanical engineering industry involve testing and analyzing. Many hours are spent testing an object in order to determine if it functions properly. Often times this testing is done using mathematical and statistical analysis of data that is collected through various high tech machines. It is also possible to apply mechanical engineering to the aerospace field. As aerospace engineering is simply taking mechanical engineering principles and applying them to a more narrowed field of research. Another very common job in the field is propulsion design and testing. This area involves the launching of many different rocket propelled vessels. However, much time is spent properly setting up and analyzing physics in order to insure a problem free flight due to the expensive nature of rockets.
Over the last 25 years, most innovations in the field have been in the area of data analysis. We are able to not only calculate data much quicker, but also more accurately. Over the years with the advent of calculators and more advanced computers, the way in which we calculate data has greatly changed. We no longer have to sue long formulas to formulate data; we have machines that will do these things for us. Along with the increase in speed of calculations, we have also seen an influx of other electronic advances. One of the most notable being specialized devices such as graphic cards. These devices allow computers too much more effectively operate as there is now a “brain” or calculator for many of the different major functions. This way the computer can not only run faster, but complete many more tasks at once. In the next 25 years we are headed in the same direction. The laws of physics, chemistry and the basics principles of mechanical engineering are fixed, they have been established. However, there is still much room for improvement in how we interpret these laws. Thus, the age of computer advancement will continue for the foreseeable future, most notably in the area of computation. The calculators of today are as powerful as the first space shuttles. We are headed in a direction that allows us to compute data in different ways that are quicker, more effective and more accurate.
Mechanical engineering is one of the types of engineering that overlaps into all types of other engineering. You may use bits of electrical engineering in order to build a computer to record data. Aerospace engineering may be used in order to determine the most aerodynamic design for a car, or civil engineering could be used for determining the most structurally sound design for a car’s chassis. As a mechanical engineer in today’s business place you must be very versatile. It is often thought that if you aren’t a mathematician then you won’t make it as an engineer. That, however, is not true. While it is true that math is important, it is more important that you know how to apply the basic principles of math, rather than be able to calculate obscure numbers by hand. At this point in time there are many computer aids available to help with calculations as long as you know how the formulas you give them work. Perhaps one of the most important qualities a mechanical engineer must possess is the knowledge that you will never be right all of the time. There are too many variables for that to be possible. Instead you must be able to create precise and as accurate as possible results every time.
My interview with Dr. Robert Nichols went very well. I was able to gather a great amount of helpful information about the field I am interested in.
