Engineering help
I had a bit of a change of career last year, and have ended up in Mechanical Engineering, (stop sniggering), well Im finding it quite interesting, although have not much intention of staying with my current employer for very long, but here is a chance to learn some new practical skills which might be beneficial later on.
So I decided to invest a little of my spare time into reading up on mechanical principles etc. Trouble is, I bought some very expensive books off Amazon, "Shigleys: Mechanical Engineering Design" which is a top rated book, amonsgt others, and while this is exactly what I am trying to learn, Im afraid it starts off a bit above my understanding, especially the mathematics of it all.
Im hoping some of you can point me in the right direction for learning this stuff, assuming little or no prevoius knowledge, so that I don't spend alot of money on books I dont yet understand.
So I decided to invest a little of my spare time into reading up on mechanical principles etc. Trouble is, I bought some very expensive books off Amazon, "Shigleys: Mechanical Engineering Design" which is a top rated book, amonsgt others, and while this is exactly what I am trying to learn, Im afraid it starts off a bit above my understanding, especially the mathematics of it all.
Im hoping some of you can point me in the right direction for learning this stuff, assuming little or no prevoius knowledge, so that I don't spend alot of money on books I dont yet understand.
Comments
What you'll want:
- Calculus in a single variable
- Calculus in multiple variables (Vector calc)
- Linear Algebra
- Differential Equations
That's your math stuff, then:
- An understanding of Newtonian Mechanics
- An understanding of Thermodynamics
Is more along the scientific lines. a knowledge of materials also helps. Beyond this, it gets more specialized.
Personally, I'm an EE student, and I can't help you beyond this much. Furthermore, these aren't book names. Go to a store and look for books that you like. Personally, I prefer books that are loaded down with visuals. Some people prefer proofs. You decide.
<strong>I'm impressed that you got a MechE job without having any knowledge of the subject. Considering that it takes 4 years of pain & all-nighters to get a MechE degree, it's not as simple as saying "Oh, you need this, this and this."
What you'll want:
- Calculus in a single variable
- Calculus in multiple variables (Vector calc)
- Linear Algebra
- Differential Equations
That's your math stuff, then:
- An understanding of Newtonian Mechanics
- An understanding of Thermodynamics
Is more along the scientific lines. a knowledge of materials also helps. Beyond this, it gets more specialized.
Personally, I'm an EE student, and I can't help you beyond this much. Furthermore, these aren't book names. Go to a store and look for books that you like. Personally, I prefer books that are loaded down with visuals. Some people prefer proofs. You decide.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Theres no need to be so impressed, a MechE job in the heart of rural wiltshire UK is probably just the same in name only to the real-world. What I have too do, is really not at all difficult, but I'd like to actually know how to do the stress, bending calculations etc on the stuff I work on, but by the nature of what it is, isn't important too this company, and it may help me get out of this shit-hole.
you have to study it
to do it
working on the job
having fun with it
do other stuff
etc
just writing stuff
You haven't told us what you are going to design. You MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO DESIGN SOMETHING, YOU HAD BETTER FOR DAMN-SURE MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE USED BY/NEAR/WITH PEOPLE! IF YOU UNDERDESIGN SOMETHING, IT >WILL FAIL<. The consequences of mechanical failure are that something breaks.
If a Mechanical Engineering firm has hired you as an ME, and you don't have a degree or 'on the job experience' (here in the US you can sit for a Professional Engineering Examination after you have fifteen years of 'experience' if you don't have a degree. With the degree, you need 5 years of practice to take the test. ) I can't help but think that you are opening your employer and yourself to one hell of a lawsuit (US-over-run-with-lawyers-perspective) if something that you do goes bad.
Honestly, you do need to be careful.
Aries 1B
BSME, BSECE, BSBA, USGovPMC 89-3.
I have been in some form of Engineering for the last 5 years. I have excellent 3d modelling skills, excellent at AutoCAD, and can operate many of the various machines typically found on an engineering workshop to a high standard.
I also understand many of the principles of mechE from first hand experience. My problem is that I don't know how to do the calculations. And this is good enough for my employer.
I dont want lectures on how big my balls are. I am looking too improve my understanding, not for my current employer, but for my own progress. If it takes me 5 years of studying, then so be it. I cant afford to go back to Uni at the moment, so I am doing what I can with the limited resources I have. In a year or so, its quite possible I will be able to afford to take the qualifications, and as I am serious about this, I am doing a bit of prepatory work to ensure I get the highest grade possible, and then with my first-hand experience and recognised qualification, no doubt, I will be a very good Mechanical Engineer.
As opposed to doing nothing and winging about shit on AI, it seems like a better option.
So If you can point me in the direction of books that will be a good introduction to what Im intending to achieve thanks for the help.
<strong>I also understand many of the principles of mechE from first hand experience. My problem is that I don't know how to do the calculations. And this is good enough for my employer.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Probably the first thing I learnt after I left uni was don't argue with a guy who doesn't have a degree but has 30 years experience. He knows more than you.
That said all engineering comes down to 3 things. Firstly it revolves around experience. I learnt 100x more about being an engineer in my first few years actually on the job than I ever did at uni.
Second, the majority of engineering is maths. When you get to roughly your second year of uni you come to realise when some lecturer fails you in a major project because "engineer's write reports from a quantifiable perspective not the qualitative guess work and drivel you've fed me". He really said that and I've never forgotten it. The funny part is I got off lightly compared to most of the people.
Anyway if you are interested in Engineering you will ultimately need to learn the maths because it's rather central to the profession.
Thirdly, Engineering is all about design. Anybody can maintain a piece of equipment or run it but in taking the step to understanding why it is designed the way it is and being able to do so yourself you take the step towards being an engineer.
Splinemodel has given a pretty good subject list. I'd add maticies as well but that could be under vector calc and solving multivariable equations.
Otherwise head to the largest local university you can find. If you must just do this next time you travel through a large city. You want somewhere with a relatively good reputation.
Go to the student centre and buy a handbook for engineering (you may need one for science to as often Maths is considered a science subject). Inside it should have class lists that engineers are required to enrol in and suggested electives. Note down the subjects then find the suggested texts for each subject. Often lecturers print notes for their students too that can be bought bound at the local copy center.
Engineering is best learnt on the job but maths is simply a matter of practice. It will drive you nuts but generally depending on how good you are in the subject area you can pick up reasonable proficiency within a month (I used to do it in about 2 - 3 days including tutorials for uni but I wouldn't advise condensing 6 months into 3 days
Most universities these days post tutorials to the web and often solutions too at the end of the semester so just search around and download them.
Also, take some Machine Trades (lathe, surface grinder, etc.) and Welding courses. Good luck.
Aries 1B
<strong>Schaum's Outlines.
Also, take some Machine Trades (lathe, surface grinder, etc.) and Welding courses. Good luck.
Aries 1B</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thats a name of a book right???
Done the rest;-)
Aries 1B
[ 11-21-2002: Message edited by: Aries 1B ]</p>
I fould 565 matches in Amazon, I saved 5 that I thought might be on-topic, but is there a specific one you are referring too?
And BTW, are these examples going to be in Imperial Units etc. I REALLY hate that!
Re: units. I couldn't agree with you more about the units! Thermodynamics is a "Slug"-ridden nightmare! (WARNING: Too much exposure to Mechanical Engineering will make you laugh, actually laugh, at that last line.) The units should be mixed, because the United States is going metric! Any day now, any day....
Best,
Aries 1B
Everything else can be derived.
<strong>E = mc²
Everything else can be derived.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Perhaps you could then tell me how to derive the deflection in a 6 meter long simply supported beam made of BSEN10025 EN50D Structural steel size 254x104x74kg if I apply a uniformly distributed load of 1000kN.?
[ 12-01-2002: Message edited by: MarcUK ]
[ 12-01-2002: Message edited by: MarcUK ]</p>