Introduction to Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering at SDSUat SDSU

Stephen P. Gent, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringCrothers Engineering Hall 242South Dakota State UniversityStephen.Gent@sdstate.edu605-688-5337

June 13, 2012

What is Engineering all What is Engineering all about?about?

Engineers have always been focused on efficiency and sustainability

Maximum performance with minimum resource input –◦Human resources◦Material/natural resources◦Economic resources◦Time

Minimize risk of failure

Mechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering

• An old and very broad field of engineering

• Design, manufacture and application of devices and systems of all types

• Generally moving parts, but not always

• Energy conversion/transfer

Mechanical Engineering – Mechanical Engineering – Underlying SciencesUnderlying SciencesMathematicsPhysicsChemistry

Mechanical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringMechanical systems

◦ Dynamic systems◦ Devices that

perform functionsThermal-fluid and

energy systems◦ Converting energy

from one form to another

◦ Energy utilization and efficiency

◦ HVAC

5

Mechanical Engineering – Mechanical Engineering – Professional SkillsProfessional SkillsCommunication

◦ Graphical◦ Oral◦ Written

Problem-Solving◦ Logical Approach◦ Creativity◦ Constraints

Teamwork!

Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering CurriculumCurriculumEngineering Sciences

◦ Mechanics- statics, dynamics, materials (stress/strain)

◦ Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat TransferDesign

◦ Machine Design◦ Thermal System Design◦ Projects – ME 240, Senior Capstone – ME 478/479

Mechanical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringElective SpecialtiesElective Specialties

Machine DesignControlsAerodynamicsTurbomachines/EnginesHVAC-Building SystemsEnergy/Power ProductionIndustrial/Manufacturing

M.E. LabsM.E. LabsMeasurements and

InstrumentationThermo-FluidsDynamic Systems/ControlsMaterialsDesign Lab

Design ProjectsDesign Projects

M.E. Department ProfileM.E. Department ProfileUndergrad Enrollment – 300

studentsGraduate Enrollment – 30 studentsFaculty – 10 faculty membersResearch Projects- $2.7 million/yr

◦Biomass Energy Conversion◦Photovoltaic Materials◦Fatigue Testing/Non-Destructive

Evaluation of Military Components◦Multi-Body Dynamic Analysis◦Grain Drying Systems◦Computational Fluid Dynamics

Extra-Curricular ActivitiesExtra-Curricular ActivitiesProfessional Societies

◦American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

◦American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

◦Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

◦Pi Tau Sigma –Honor Society

M.E. EmploymentM.E. EmploymentInternships- opportunities are out

thereMechanical Engineering is a stable

profession50% of recent graduates took jobs in

SD85+% Employed in SD, MN, IA, NECompanies from virtually every

industry are looking for engineersAverage starting salary for M.E.’s is

approximately $55k/yr

Where do SDSU ME Grads Where do SDSU ME Grads Go?Go?Angus-Palm IndustriesNorthwestern EnergyAGCOOceaneeringDaktronics, Inc.3MWildcat Mfg.Pella Corp.Vermeer Corp.

14

Honeywell AerospaceTrail King Inc.Poet BiorefiningKolberg-PioneerBrock Grain SystemsMalloy ElectricRFA Minnesota EngineeringHorton Industries

15

General MillsGeneral ElectricPolaris IndustriesBobcat (Doosan) Gehl Company (Manitou)TSP -

Architecture/Engineering/Construction The Trane Company West Plains Engineering Associated Consulting Engineering,

Inc. Ulteig Engineers

16

The O'Connor Group - Including The O'Connor Co.,  G&R Controls, Balancing Professionals, Inc.

Climate Systems, Inc. EDA EngineersHoneywell InternationalJohnson ControlsCrimson Fire

17

Sioux CorporationAdams Thermal Systems, Inc. Terex UtilitiesCNHCapterpillar Paving Products, MNMasaba Mining EquipmentXcel Energy

18

Missouri River Energy ServicesTessier's, Inc. Roby, Quintal, & EversonRockwell CollinsSebesta Blomberg AssociatesStanley Consultants

19

Mechanical Engineering at Mechanical Engineering at SDSUSDSU

Questions?