Enigeering

The main areas of study in Mechanical Engineering are:
Mechanics – Mechanics is, in the most general sense, the study of forces and their effect upon matter.
Typically, engineering mechanics is used to analyze and predict the acceleration and deformation (both
elastic and plastic) of objects under known forces (also called loads) or stresses.
Kinematics – Kinematics is the study of the motion of bodies (objects) and systems (groups of objects),
while ignoring the forces that cause the motion. The movement of a crane and the oscillations of a piston
in an engine are both simple kinematic systems. The crane is a type of open kinematic chain, while the
piston is part of a closed four-bar linkage.
2
Mechanical Engineering | 5/15/2010
Mechanical Engineers typically use kinematics in the design and analysis of mechanisms. Kinematics can
be used to find the possible range of motion for a given mechanism, or, working in reverse, it can be used
to design a mechanism that has a desired range of motion.
Mechatronics – Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary branch of mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering and software engineering that is concerned with integrating electrical and mechanical
engineering to create hybrid systems. In this way, machines can be automated through the use of electric
motors, servo-mechanisms, and other electrical systems in conjunction with special software. A common
example of a mechatronics system is a CD-ROM drive.
Robotics – Robotics is the application of mechatronics to create robots, which are often used in industry
to perform tasks that are dangerous, unpleasant, or repetitive. These robots may be of any shape and
size, but all are preprogrammed and can interact physically with the world.
Structural Analysis – Structural analysis is the branch of mechanical engineering (and also civil
engineering) devoted to examining why and how objects fail and to fix the objects and their performance.
Structural analysis may be used in the office when designing parts, in the field to analyze failed parts, or
in laboratories where parts might undergo controlled failure tests.
Thermo-dynamics – Thermo-dynamics is an applied science used in several branches of engineering,
including mechanical and chemical engineering. At its simplest, thermo-dynamics is the study of energy,
its use and transformation through a system. Typically, engineering thermo-dynamics is concerned with
changing energy from one form to another. As an example, automotive engines convert chemical energy
(enthalpy) from the fuel into heat, and then into mechanical work that eventually turns the wheels.
Drafting – Drafting or technical drawing is the means by which mechanical engineers create instructions
for manufacturing parts. A technical drawing can be a computer model or hand-drawn schematic showing
all the dimensions necessary to manufacture a part, as well as assembly notes, a list of required
materials, and other pertinent information.
Mechanical Engineers have to study a whole lot of physics, Engineering drawing, machine drawing and
many more concepts such as:
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Kinematics
• Strength of Materials
• Materials Science
• Theory of Machines
• Thermodynamics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Heat Transfer
• Manufacturing
• Machine Design
• Electrical Circuits
• Mechanical Drawing
• Mechanical Vibrations
• Metallurgy
• Manufacturing Process
• Production Management
• Computer Aided Design/ Drafting (CAD)
• Automobile Engineering
• Industrial Automation and Robotics

Mechanical engineering has a tremendous scope in industries such as:
• Automobile Industry
• Cement Industry
• Steel Industry
• Power Sector
• Hydraulics
• Manufacturing Plants
• Drilling and Mining Industry
• Oil and Gas Industry
• Aeronautical Industry
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology and many more.
A mechanical engineer is commonly involved with projects such as:
• Development and design of various mechanical design projects
• Product design and development
• Manufacturing and production engineering
• Installation of thermal fluid and mechanical systems
• Design and analysis of energy
• Working on mechanical engineering projects overseas
• Collaborating with a mechanical engineering team
• Overseeing a staff of other mechanical engineers