Why are mechanical design skills important today ?

Innovation is accelerating with the infusion of new technologies like AI, Machine learning into every system whether hardware or software.

Mechanical engineering and design have been the key area of work for innovation through the ages. From the industrial revolution to the development of Mechanical systems for transportation, appliances and industrial machinery. All of which have been based on mechanical principles utilizing the state of the art in manufacturing.

Gradually, pure mechanical systems were converted to electromechanical systems and now are being converted or developed into Mechatronic systems. With each step adding more electrification, automation and control. Think cars, appliances, and machinery.

Pure Mechanical systems - > Electromechanical systems - > Mechatronic systems

However, this evolution of systems does not mean that the value of former has diminished, rather they compliment each other to form the integral whole.

A bicycle is a simple mechanical system

The Original Bicycle -> Electric Bicycle -> Smart and electric Bicycle

Fundamentally the underlying mechanical system is being enhanced.

The Information economy has created a lot of emphasis on information and data as the new resource and source of wealth, but the development of new physical systems which employ the same fundamental principles of mechanical design and engineering that have been used for many years has not stopped. Rather there is higher rate of new product development of systems which are required to solve difficult problems.

Here is a list of areas where new products are being developed

Electric Vehicles:

The Internal combustion engine may have been replaced but the there are many systems within the EV which require mechanical engineers to design and analyse. Body structures, suspension systems, Chassis structures, Systems and mechanisms inside the vehicles.

With new varieties of EVs being developed, new unique applications arise and hence the requirement of mechanical systems increases.

Robots:

Fundamentally, robots have been built as mechanical systems which become smart due to control systems and their programming. Like the architecture of a building, the robots are first built on the mechanical architecture and considering areas like Kinematics and dynamics of systems to first design the robots and then control their motions through algorithms.

Automation systems:

Apart from robots any mechatronic system which does the job automatically employs actuators, mechanisms, and structures to perform the work. Requiring mechanical design engineering to design the layouts and structures.

Bespoke design:

3D printing has enabled design freedom for mechanical design engineers unlocking the potential of bespoke designs which cater to very specific requirements. The combination of new technologies and the creativity of engineers produces new products

Consumer products:

New systems being developed which have “more features” more gadgets and more functionality. All needed mechanical systems integrated.

Industrial systems:

Manufacturing and processing have employed mechanical systems and will continue to employ new systems to improve productivity and efficiency. Hence requirement for engineers will only increase as whole.

Skill requirements

Specializations in a domain
Holistic engineering skills to develop solutions
Creative problem solving

So, if you keep hearing that mechanical engineering is dead or obsolete, you can be sure that it is from a uninformed source.

Future world will be built by mechanical engineers who work in tandem with electronics and computer software engineers.

Every physical product we see today has been invented, produced through a design process.

1. The First step is Research and Opportunity identification . What is the problem to be solved? For whom? Who is the target group which will benefit from a solution? what are exact needs?
2. Second step is Ideation and Concept generation. Coming up with a solution for the problem . Initially in the form of rough ideas, then refined into concepts which can be drawn and modelled.
3. Proof of Concept : How can we be sure the concept works to solve the problem ? Building a rough prototype to test out the concept performs intended function.
4. Developing a design plan : Once the confidence is built on a certain concept. The next step is to make it into a design plan . Layouts and details are added.
5. Prototyping and Testing : Virtually or physically the design is tested to perform the function
6. Refine and Improve .

Categories: : Skills and knowledge