chapters 2&3 engineering majors 1 elec 104, fall 2010 dr. mckinney
TRANSCRIPT
Engineers and ScientistsEngineers and ScientistsScientists seek technical answers
to understand natural phenomenon
Engineers study technical problems with a practical application always in mind
For example◦“Scientists study atomic structure to
understand the nature of matter; engineers study atomic structure to make smaller and faster microchips”
2
The Engineer and the The Engineer and the Engineering TechnologistEngineering TechnologistMain difference between the two
is:◦Engineers design and manufacture
machines and systems, while engineering technologists have the technical know-how to use and install the machines properly
An example:◦“The technologist identifies the
equipment necessary to assemble a new CD player; the engineer designs said CD player”
3
What do Engineers do?What do Engineers do?Three variables
◦Discipline/Major◦Position/Function◦Industry
Engineering FunctionsEngineering Functions
Design, Development, Research, Test, Analysis,
Production, Sales, Technical Support
Get into eight groupsDevelop 2 bullet points describing the engineering function you have been assigned
Design EngineerDesign EngineerProduce dimensions and
specification for a product to ensure is works with existing systems and products
Redesign and modify parts to reduce production time and costs and to redesign products that have not lived up to expectations
Development EngineerDevelopment EngineerTest new products and see if
they will work in a large scale production
Take knowledge acquired from researchers to use on specific products
Research EngineerResearch EngineerExplore fundamental principles
through the use of experiments in order to overcome technical barriers
In order to save time they use computational techniques to solve complex problems
Test EngineerTest EngineerDevelop data acquisition and
instrumentation systems and methods to verify integrity, reliability and quality of products before they are introduced to the public
Must have a wide range of technical and problem solving skills
Analysis EngineerAnalysis EngineerSpecialize in one particular area
and provide technical expertise in that area
Serve as an interface between the test engineers and design engineers to determine the pertinent information needed by both groups
Production EngineerProduction EngineerDevelops processes to
manufacture a product by taking raw materials forming them into finished pieces considering manufacturing concerns such as cost, risk, and quality.
Keep track of equipment in the plant as well as maintain a safe and reliable workplace.
Sales EngineerSales EngineerAnswer customer concerns and
guide customer through the appropriate product selection process
Identify applications and other products for the customers to use
Technical Support Technical Support EngineerEngineerSupport and assist the customer
to ensure that they can use the product in the most efficient way
Know enough about the problem and the product to be able to find the necessary information to solve nearly any problem
Engineering MajorsEngineering Majors
Biomedical, Electrical, Computer, Chemical, Civil & Environmental, Materials, Aerospace, Mechanical
Rearrange into eight different groupsDevelop 2 bullet points describing the engineering major you have been assigned
BiomedicalBiomedicalResponsible for designing
medical equipment to make medical procedures go more smoothly
Work with any part of the biological systems
Divided into medical engineering, bio-engineering and clinical engineering
ElectricalElectricalApply principles of electricity to
solve problems and develop new technologies
Broad field which ranges from nanotechnology to power generation
ComputerComputerDesign and develop hardware for
computer systemsOptimize HW/SW interfaces,
working alongside computer scientists
ChemicalChemicalUses chemical properties and
physics, applying them in design and developmental processes to mass produce products in society
Work with various materials such as plastics, oil, and natural gasses to make various products ranging from circuit boards to artificial kidneys
Civil & EnvironmentalCivil & EnvironmentalEnvironmental engineers job is to
prevent, improve and maintain the environment in the wake of industrial activity
A Civil engineer’s primary function is to build and maintain structures to keep the economy stable
Main fields are: structural, architectural, transportation, water resources, urban planning, and construction
MaterialsMaterialsMaterial engineers innovate
current materials and develop new materials
Test and conduct experiments on materials to ensure their performances meet expectations
AerospaceAerospaceDesign and build machines to fly
within (and outside of) the Earth’s atmosphere
In addition to designing machines, they must take the physiological limitations of human beings into account
Main fields include: propulsion and energy, space and missile systems, aerospace sciences, and structure and design testing
MechanicalMechanicalDivided into two main categories:
◦Design and controls – deal with the design and testing of engineering components
◦Thermal Sciences – deal with heat transfer and also predict and study the temperatures of components in environments
Broad field ranging from fluid engineering to nuclear engineering
Homework Homework (due in one week)(due in one week)
Pick three blocks in the cube (Figure 2-1) and write a job description for that engineer.
None of your blocks can haveany similar variables.
Profiles in EngineeringProfiles in EngineeringCombine groups into four groupsEach group take one of the
specified profiled engineersStudy the bio in the textPresent this person to the group
◦What do they do?◦Where do they fit into the “cube”?◦Do they seem to enjoy engineering?◦Does their life seem to be in balance?