09_Accessing Engineering Information (Ch8)

7/31/2019 09_Accessing Engineering Information (Ch8)

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Ch8 1

Accessing Engineering Information

During your study or in your career life,You need to access information relatedto your specialized field or other fields

Before setting out to the library oropening your favorite Web search

engine, know some strategies forplanning your search and for gettingthe most out of your search


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Ch8 2

Accessing Engineering InformationSearch Preparation

Purpose: write report, select equipmentor product or work on a designproblem, conduct research etc

Type of information: Theoretical,practical, product information, etc

Exact needs: Raw data, overview of the

subject, Historical information (e.g., forproduct liability), Up-to-date, state ofthe art informationetc


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Ch8 3

Accessing Engineering InformationBasic Search Strategies

What is my time frame: hours, days,weeks?

What resources do you have access to:

company, university, library, internet, nearby experts, publications?

Are you going to pay for the information?

And how much?

Your answer to these questions determinewhere to look for information.


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Ch8 4

Accessing Engineering InformationFollowing the Trail

General Books: Recent books give up-to-dateinformation but old books may give goodbackground or basic information. Library,

internet (e-books), or bookstores where youcan find the books

Reference Books: Used for quick use (notchecked out of the building) such as

handbooks, reference manuals, guides, etc Journals: Hardcopies/electronic copies. They

are very important to keep up with the most

resent related works.


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Ch8 5

Accessing Engineering InformationFollowing the Trail


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Ch8 6

Accessing Engineering InformationIndexes and Abstracts

Indexes (periodical index): An index, in print orelectronic form, lists articles grouped bysubjects from selected periodicals which givesinformation about article titles, authors, Journaltitles, volume, issues, dates, and page count

Abstract: indexes enables you to find manyarticles therefore you read the abstract which

Gives you a summary about the article (content,results, and findings). So, you can read theabstract of the article to decide whether you willuse it in your project or not. Abstracts mayappear separately in indexes


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Ch8 7



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Ch8 9



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Ch8 10

Accessing Engineering InformationTechnical Reports and Patents

Technical Reports: Huge number ofreports are written every year. For asearch or a report, use indexes and

abstracts to narrow the search. Usuallyreports, supported by government orcontract, are easy to find

Patents: Documents have detailedinformation about materials, design,inventions related information.


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Ch8 11

Accessing Engineering InformationProduct Literature

Include productsmanufacturer,Company, and vendorcatalogs, product

selectors, buyersguides, performancedata, photographs ordrawings of products,

data books forcomputers andintegrated circuitdevicesetc


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Ch8 12

Accessing Engineering InformationWhen to use product literature?

If you are on a design project, productliterature is indispensable (essential)

You can get the dimensions or

performance figures for specificcomponents, accessories, or equipmentrelated to your subject or project

These resources also help you if you areproducing or marketing your ownproducts by telling you what's alreadyavailable in your field


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Ch8 13

Accessing Engineering InformationStandards and Specifications

Most products we use are designed andproduced in accordance with certain standardsor specifications

These standards are essential if you want to beable to consistently fit light bulbs into sockets,screw nuts onto bolts, replace engine parts, orrely on the strength of concrete

As a designer you must be aware of thesestandards and specifications or codes thatalready exist that may be relevant to your

product


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Ch8 14

Accessing Engineering InformationStandards and Specifications


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Ch8 15

Accessing Engineering InformationInternet Resources for Eng. Information

Electronic Mailing Lists: You subscribe(using e-mail address) to any of thediscussion groups (like: Usenet which

refers to news groups, chose onerelated to you topic) so you can getdiscussions or information from any

one in the group. Electronic Newsletters and Journals


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Ch8 16



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Ch8 17



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Ch8 18
