Saturday, 21 December 2013

Some mechanical terms worth knowing

Ball and Detent :
 A simple mechanical arrangement used to hold a moving part in a
temporarily fixed position relative to another part. The ball slides within a bored cylinder, against the
pressure of a spring, which pushes the ball against the detent, a hole of smaller diameter than the ball.
When the hole is in line with the cylinder, the ball falls partially into the hole under spring pressure,
holding the parts at that position. Additional force will push the ball back into its cylinder, compressing
the spring, and allowing the parts to move.
Bearing :
 The part of a machine within which a rotating or sliding
shaft is held. In some bearing types, balls or rollers are used between the bearing surfaces to reduce
rolling friction.
Bell crank:
 A pivoting double lever used to change the direction of applied motion. 
Boss : A cylindrical projection, as on a casting or a forging. Usually provides a contact surface 
around a hole. 
Broach:
To finish the inside of a hole to a shape other than round, as in a keyway (n) The tool for the 
process, which has serrated edges and is pushed or pulled through the hole to produce the required 
shape. 
Clevis :
A U-shaped piece with holes into which a link is inserted and through which a pin or bolt is 
run. It is used as a fastening device which allows rotational motion. 
Collar :
 A cylindrical feature on a part fitted on a shaft used to prevent sliding (axial) movement. 
Core:
 To form the hollow part of a casting, using a solid form placed in the mold (n) The 
solid form used in the coring process, often made of wood, sand, or metal. 
Counterbore:
 A cylindrical flat-bottomed hole, which enlarges the diameter of an existing pilot 
hole. The process used to create that feature.
Countersink  A conical depression added to an existing hole to accommodate and the conic head 
of a fastener recessing it below the surface of a face. The process used to create that feature.
Coupling :
 A device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of 
transmitting power. May be used to account for minor misalignment or for mitigating shock loads. 
Die :
 One of a pair of hardened metal plates or impressing or forming desired shape. Also, a tool 
for cutting external threads. 
Face : 
 To machine a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a piece.
Fillet :
 A rounded surface filling the internal angle between two intersection surfaces. Also Rounds
Fit :
 The class of contact between two machined surfaces, based upon their respective specified 
size tolerances (clearance, transitional, interference) 
Fixture :
A device used to hold a workpiece while manufacturing operations are performed upon 
that workpiece. 
Flange:
 A projecting rim or edge for fastening, stiffening or positioning. 
 Gage :
 A device used for determining the accuracy of specified manufactured parts by direct 
comparison..
Gage blocks :
 Precision machined steel blocks having two flat, parallel surfaces 
whose separation distance is fabricated to a guaranteed accuracy of a few millionths of an inch; 
Spotface :
 a round machine surface around a hole on a casting or forging, usually to provide a 
contact surface for a fastener or other mating component, the process used to create that feature 
Shim : 
A thin strip of metal inserted between two surfaces to adjust for fit. The process 
of inserting shims. 
Sheave :
 A grooved wheel used to accommodate a belt for the transmission of power. 
Sometimes referred to as a pulley sheave. 
Retaining Ring:
 A tool steel ring used in conjunction with a shaft groove or internal groove to 
located or control position of a component. 
Planetary Gears:
 A gearset characterized by one or more planet gear rotating 
around a sun gear. Epicyclic gearing systems include an outer ring gear (known as an annulas) with the 
planetary system. 

 
 
 

Thursday, 19 December 2013

An example career path of a Mechanical Engineer

Generally the path works like this:

1. After graduation, a fresh out would be expected to do some simple design and detailing on a CAD station (such as Solidworks, Pro/E, or Inventor). They may also conduct tests and begin to write simple reports. Depending on the organization and engineer's skill set, they may also perform some simple simulations.  
2. After about 3 years, the engineer will get more complicated projects and start simple designing. 
3. After about 7 years, the engineer will work on simple products, going from start to finish. 
4. After about 10 years, the engineer will start working on scheduling, complex simulations, developing simple test plans, etc. It is usually at this stage where they will begin heavy interaction with whatever manufacturing is going on (going on vendor visits, managing schedules, managing vendor relationships, etc). 
5. After about 15 years, the engineer will be a decision in their career-stay where they are, go the management track (and pursue and MBA for example), or go the technical track (get more training, get MSME, etc). This will all be based on market conditions, the engineer's personal preferences, etc. It is usually at this stage, the engineer may be required to write "white papers."
6. After the 20th year, the engineer will be firmly in the management or technical track. It is usually there that their design work is over. They manage people to accomplish goals. Some become middle and upper management. A select few become CEOs. The rest become senior design leaders. This lasts until retirement (or laid-off!).