First year ME student (38M) left the high end chef world after 17 years because my body and mind were giving out(mind faster). Now that I’m enrolled in an undergrad program-what are some certs to keep an eye on that y’all can foresee being valuable? Is a GPA worth killing yourself over in attempts to keep it above 3.7? I have a family friend who was large on GE Aero for years, I’ll probably end up asking them for a reference. That aside: looking at ME job threads it seems pretty doom and gloom but, what have y’all seen as far as common jobs?

Need help on how to go about determining the clamping force exerted by this spring clip design (Material: Stainless steel 301)

This clip is designed to provide enough force to hold a heat sink and create pressure on a Thermal Interface Material. What controls the clamping force ?

So I'm stuck at choosing what type of mecchanism I should be using for gear shifting for a shaftdriven bicycle. The thing is we'ere supposed to design the gear mechanisms ourselves so it can't be too complicated as I'm an studying ug for mechanical and I don't have any experience with this topic. I need help so please help me out if anyone can give me an advice on how this can be done and which mechanism I should pick. Thankyouu

I was wondering how one could create a gravity power generator to achieve 10kw of power for a farm/homestead. This system would be low tech from recyclable refurbished materials...

Is it possible to have many smaller motors and weights in series to create 10kw? How big would the motors by and how heavy would the weights have to be? I'm not an engineer and I would appreciate explaining how you could keep this multi gravity power flowing smoothly with weights constantly being raised and dropped to obtain electricity? I was thinking wind, animal or solar power to winch the gravity weights back up.

Any insight with the dynamics of this hypothetical system would be appreciated

I am a recent aerospace engineering graduate that wanted to move away from the sector as I did not want to be part of the defence sector. I had a few interviews a few weeks ago and got a job as a mechanical engineer in the building services sector for a small consultancy. I got the job from messaging the hiring manager who was after an apprentice for there apprentice program but they offered me a role as a graduate with an average graduate salary in the UK.

During the interview I was told by the senior mechanical engineer that I would be trained and work under them and they would teach me about building services. I was meant to spend the first two weeks doing AutoCAD training as I had mainly 3D CAD experience. The office I am working in is quite small as they have opened up a new branch in a new city with a very small team (less than 10). I was sent for induction in there main branch where I had a great time, people were friendly and the environment was very relaxed, small breaks talking and a helpful environment. I was meant to spend the first two weeks doing AutoCAD training as I had mainly 3D CAD experience. After two days I was told by my manager if I would like to help her with some live projects, I accepted but then she told me I would no longer be doing the CAD training and since then I have been under constant stress.

A few examples of what I have had to do. Shown a plan of a building and told to arrange heating components from a markup, Xref was completely unclean with multiple lines for walls made working out the area for underground heating awful, no explanation for symbols or purpose of components, told to keep components in places in rooms that don't exist on the drawing. all instructions either through a large log of teams messages or by a single instruction that I have to quickly right down, gets frustrated when I ask more than once, Told often that they don't understand how I don't understand "simple instructions" often written in broken English. After giving me a task that I have never done before constantly asking how long this task will take, messages every hour on status report.

Told to correctly order a schematic for rainwater system, told to make this schematic like the example, the other one seems to have no rhyme or reason? If you want components in a certain order why not spend a minute writing down the order instead of me trying to work through a schematic I've never seen in my life was very frustrated when I did something wrong, told that the task I did should take 30 mins instead of a day, given timelines half way during a task e.g. was told I had at 2PM to finish the schematic I started at 10AM by 4PM as this needed to be issued ASAP, why am I in my 5th day with two days of AutoCAD training in charge of such a time sensitive project? . Was told I need to spend more time at home "learning building services" how? I do something different every day ventilation/rainwater/component drawing they said that my lack of knowledge simply cannot continue but you hired me knowing this? I'm feeling like I hate engineering despite loving it at Uni is all engineering like this. I'm told I should stick out the 6 months for the experience but going to work fills me with dread. Apologies for the long post

Hey guys, I am a high school senior and I am looking forward to partaking in a mechanical engineering (possibly switching to another engineering discipline) degree over my next four years of college. I am currently trying to decide between NC State, Colorado School of Mines, and the University of Maryland (College Park) to complete my undergrad. Since they are all very good schools for engineering and are all different many ways, I am having a hard time deciding which school I want to go to. I've closely considered non-academic aspects of the schools so my decision has boiled down to how my degree will differ depending on the school I go to. In terms of "best engineering school" rankings, UMD is first then NC state, then CSM. I am curious if the schools's rankings truly matter or if engineering degrees at "good schools" are roughly synonymous. Please let me know how the same degree would differ depending on the school, it would help greatly with my decision making.

Edit: I am not worried about the price of the school at all. I basically have a full ride at all three.

Hi I’m not sure which project to choose for my internship . I just want to choose the one with the most industry demand and the one to make my resume look a lot better for when I apply to another internship next year and eventually an actual job. Any advice is appreciated. These are the options

AI-Controlled 3D Printed Prosthetic Hand

Data-Driven Digital Twin & Defect Detection for LPBF

FEA-Based AI Modelling for Faster Design and Optimisation

Me and my dad are fixing a 2015 cross track se Subaru and we need help with getting the rusted cotter pin out so we can replace it, but our control arm is too big and can't fit, can anyone help

TLDR: I graduated last semester with a B.S. ME, the job hunt has been miserable, and I've never felt so lost in my life. I'm (desperately) seeking any guidance on starting my career, navigating into the right industries, and finding the right path. I've spent a lot of time trying to figure this out but a lot of information I find is either outdated or not particularly relevant to me.

About me: I have really solid internship experience that involved engineering work like CAD, GD&T, R&D, as well as some unique product and project management work at a brake OEM. In school I was interested in thermodynamics and fluids, especially turbomachinery, gas turbine engines, and ICEs. I was quite good with the coding projects (MATLAB) and enjoy doing that. My senior project was a massive conceptual aerospace project, in which I did a lot of independent research on aircraft design.

As you probably deduced, I've been targeting the aerospace industry as that is where (I think) my passion lies within the broad scope of ME. I am yet to have any success getting my foot in. At the same time, I often think about software engineering and how computers/coding has been an interest of mine. I considered majoring in CS and sometimes feel like maybe I should've. I even taught myself C# so I could program and develop my own games in Unity.

My questions: How can I get into the aerospace industry? Is it worth starting in another industry and will it be realistic to switch? What other industries or positions should I seek, given I like to code? Is it worth pursuing SWE even though I already got an ME degree? What are valuable roles employers NEED and are really looking for?

I know I'm just spilling a lot of random info here but overall I just don't know what to do now that I graduated. I've had 3 months of thinking, applying to jobs, and more thinking, to the point where I am second-guessing every thought I have.

Please help me straighten my head out! I'd appreciate any and all thoughts or questions. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

To make a long story short, my grandpa wants me to go to grad school and is willing to pay for the whole thing (I’m very grateful for him). Is it worth it to go instead of working?

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I know this is a mechanical engr sub but for my context it's also relevant.

I have a BSE in EE and have been working for a printing manufacturing company for 4 months. Boss told me he wanted to promote me to a real engineer position and he'll pay for my further education as long as I know what I want to focus on. It sounds like he wanted me to get a certificate/knowledge rather than a Master's degree.

My company does manufacturing on printing machines/parts and afaik we mostly use CAD, PLC programming, mechanical assembly, and electrical wiring,... Right now I'm only a technician working on the last two categories (though I have an Engr degree). I apologize for this unclear question but I need some guidance and insight. I have very basic skills when it comes to java, assembly language, and Solidworks, but Zero prior knowledge of CAD and PLC prog. So what should I be focused on learning in order to be useful in this kind of industry? what else do you think is useful (I heard about Revit but not sure)?

Has anyone made a diff tool for engineering drawings? A diff tool is a software utility that compares files to identify and highlight differences between versions. I think it would be cool to compare a revised version (before you put into actual review) and the old released version of the print. It would save so much time!

Hello, I came here for the most common dilemma amongst college students dreaming of becoming and engineer.

Do I take a degree in Mechanical engineering or Civil Engineering???

Let me clarify my ambitions. I am very much interested in developing green technology and focus more on environmental conservation and sustainability from the technical stance. I'm very interested in renewable energy as well. In short, I want to do something good for the environment.

So you might be wondering "Just go for Environmental Engineering then?" Well here's the challenge, in my country where I'm studying at it is still not a thing yet in most universities! So I have to choose between Civil or Mechanical.

I want to know the insights from engineers on:

1. How did you overcome this situation if you ever had one?
2. Does your current job reflect your degree especially those working on green technology development
3. What do I take???

Hey everyone! I have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from McGill but have no job in the domain. This would be due to a lack of internships during my studies. Well, now I am on a mission to enrich my CV and want to collaborate with passionate and engaging engineers/students to come up with some projects we can work on to grow our skills. I can create a discord chat and take it from there. Anybody interested?

Im hoping this doesnt fall under the “design this for me” rule. Im just looking for advice to see if the electric motor im looking to use will work.

So I recently created a device that would automatically shake the big 32oz state fair lemonades, and I finished all of the major machine-shop mechanical work right before I left college. Attached is a video that kind of shows us what exactly it is.

Basically, I am at the point where I need to get a motor and actually make this baby run. The motor you see in the video ended up being 3-phase, and I need a normal 120v motor. Most motors I see are too big for the 8in aluminum base. I have been looking around and saw these cheap chinese motors on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Torque-Electric-Single-phase-Variable-Controller/dp/B09LQ8BQ92/ref=asc_df_B09LQ8BQ92?mcid=3ae8e1f99d003f25a762e94ddeaed083&hvocijid=17752748916282834443-B09LQ8BQ92-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17752748916282834443&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007915&hvtargid=pla-2281435180058&psc=1)

but I have a few questions:

1) How would I mount this horizontally in a way that is actually rigid? I need to mount it so the output shaft is parallel to the shaft I was spinning in the video. I feel like mounting it ONLY via those 4 bolts up front with some sort of right-angle bracket wont be rigid enough. Im pretty sure 60w will be enough, especially if it is geared down, and 60w is also the biggest motor I can get that is below 8in in length.

2) Is this motor configurable so that it could be plugged into a normal wall socket?

Thanks so much in advance!

The direction of M is anti-clockwise in the first picture and clockwise in the second picture, yet how did the moment equation stay the same as M=-Px when sign convention still stays the same?

I'm looking for work in Aus. Citizen, late 30s. Some of the job ads are pretty depressing. Check out this one paying 75-80k!

https://www.seek.com.au/job/82950712

What you bring with is: -

Engineering Degree or equivalent in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering A positive attitude, professionalism, and excels in collaborative team settings Outstanding experience in Python and C++ programming languages and development skills Deep experience with UR COBOT systems Excellent problem-solving capabilities Strong development experience in Python especially using libraries such as TensorFlow, PyCharm etc Proficiency in deploying code to systems Very strong SOLIDWORKS and AUTOCAD experience Ability to generate technical drawings for manufacture Proficiency with automation and auxiliary robotics Experience with programming, operation and troubleshooting of OMRON PLCs Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot using schematic diagrams Knowledge of database systems Proficiency in real-time operating systems (RTOS) Strong attention to detail and accuracy Good attendance and time management skills Self-starter and able to work autonomously and within a team

I’m an EMT right now, looking at careers, love diesel engines, like really love. Especially older Cummins and German diesel stuff. What’s a good path to end up doing something with that in the US? And will it get phased out in the next few years?

Hi all,

Look for some different perspectives on my situation. I currently hold a bs in civil, during my undergrad all my internship experience was mechanical working for the National labs and other doe contractors. After graduation I landed a civil structural job, held it for a year and realized this isn’t what I want to do. Thankfully I landed a job at a company that I was a previous intern for, doing mostly meche work (data acquisition, designing geomechanical systems / instrumentation). In the next few years I’m looking to transfer to another doe facility that primarily hires meche but I feel like I’ll still viewed as a civil. Is this really the case? Can meche experience justify the lack of degree? I feel like it can also go the same the other way, if I wanted to step back into civil, I’m lacking the experience but got the degree.

Thanks !

Hi all,

I currently hold a bs in civil engineering, during university and after graduation all my experience has came from mechE roles, such as designing pressurized systems, engineering geomechanical instrumentation (linear potentiometers, load cells, acoustic emission sensors) to designing multi-drop data acquisition networks using different protocols (RS485, TCP/IP, I2C). I am looking to make a switch from government work (dept of energy) to data centers, do I bring applicable skills to this industry? I feel like I may be passed up given my engineering discipline I study, this work seems very mechanical engineering heavy, which I do feel like I have the knowledge and experience just not the degree to back me up on this. I do have my EIT license, with plans to take my mechE PE in the near future.

For context, I have just switched into mechanical engineering semester. I noticed a lot of issues with the way that I studied and issues with my old habits. After that, I decided to change some of my old habits and really work towards doing better for myself this semester and I have shown improvement in terms of study habits and grades. I also found out I have severe ADHD.

However, something that was out of my control happened this semester. My old professor had issues with his work visa and got removed about a month in, just as I was starting to understand the material. The new professor in place of him said he wasn't going to change much at first but halfway into the semester, he changed the entire syllabus including the weights of the categories. He got rid of the final project and changed it to a final exam and turned the quizzes from MCQ to FRQ. To make matters worse, he got rid of the one thing that would really help my grade. He is still not done changing the syllabus as he is looking for ways to "help" some of the students out, however, I don't have an expectation for anything regarding this class. The drop deadline is next week. I'm also not doing too well in Calc 3 and feel like my grade for Physics 2 is starting to slip below B range if things keep going the way they're going.

If I drop this class, l'd have to retake it again next semester. In doing so, there will be better professors but I will be even more behind. I also won't be able to take any of the other AME classes that don't require this class as a prerequisite because they will overlap with this class if i were to retake it again. I'm already a semester behind which means I'm projected to graduate in the fall but got permission to walk in the spring with the previous class in the spring. Dropping it leaves me no room for failure in the future, which I cannot guarantee it wont happen.

If I stay in the class and somehow make it out, I will have a "meh" understanding of what's going on for the next class, but I will not be behind. If I stay, that means I have to put in even more effort to get at least a C-, which I am not even sure is still possible at this point considering how poorly I'm doing. My main concern with staying is that I will cause myself to get a D in calc 3 and drop my physics grade to a C and getting a D/F for this class in the end. I cannot afford to take hits in calc 3 and physics 2 at this point.

I've already talked to him on ways I can improve after the first midterm and what I can really do from this point forward after the second midterm. He told me to talk to my advisor and weigh out the pros and the cons of staying in this class. He told me I’d have to do at least average or above average for him to pass me with a C- or better. That means I have to dedicate all my time which could cause me to level my calc 3 and physics 2 grade entirely. Should I just cut my losses and try again next semester or should I try my best to keep pushing? What should I do?

Hi everyone, I am an Egyptian junior mechanical engineer graduated 2022 with a bachelors degree and found my way working in waste management in an oil service company but things are looking that good the country.

Does I am considering immigration first I was looking two immigrate for Canada but as it seems they are closing their doors for immigrants.

Appreciate any advices or ideas and where should I set my sites over on ways that can secure my future in a good country that welcomes mechanical engineers

Hi everyone,
I'm an international student from Italy and I've recently been admitted to the Master's program in Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University. My goal is to specialize in fluid dynamics and become a CFD engineer. I’d like to know if ASU is a good university to help me prepare for this career path. Also I want to work and settle in the USA.

I want to learn design software with purpose of getting a job in it. . I have already graduated and didn't learn during that time.