Importance of strong basics for design engineers

Mufaddal Rasheed Author

Why is learning CAD software not enough and learning basics are so important

Generally , Design engineers are led to believe that knowing how to use CAD effectively and Mastery it is enough to design products and systems. But this is far from the truth 

Engineering basics are the foundation for all mechanical design engineers, and understanding these concepts is essential for success in the field. Here are some reasons why engineering basics are important for mechanical design engineers:

1. Solid understanding of fundamental concepts: Engineering basics provide a solid understanding of fundamental concepts, such as mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics. Mechanical design engineers need to have a deep understanding of these concepts to develop effective designs that meet the required performance specifications.
2. Design considerations: Engineering basics provide a framework for considering design constraints, such as strength, weight, cost, and manufacturability. Mechanical design engineers need to balance these constraints to develop designs that are optimal for the application.
3. Communication with other engineers: Mechanical design engineers often work in teams with other engineers from different disciplines. A solid understanding of engineering basics is essential for effective communication and collaboration with other team members.
4. Continuous learning: Mechanical design engineers need to keep up with advancements in the field, and a strong foundation in engineering basics provides a framework for ongoing learning and development.
5. Troubleshooting: Mechanical design engineers need to be able to troubleshoot problems that arise during the design and manufacturing process. A solid understanding of engineering basics is essential for diagnosing and resolving these problems

Which areas of basics should a design engineer be strong in? 

1. Basic Math and Physics : 

2. Engineering Mechanics

3. Strength of Materials/ Mechanics of Materials

4. Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines and mechanisms

5. Material properties and their comparative analysis

6. Manufacturing processes 

7. Thermodynamics and Fluid mechanics basics

8. Logical Problem solving

9. Attention to detail

Building on strong fundamentals is like a Building with a strong foundation. One with a weak one crumbles. 

Categories: Skills and knowledge