Mechanical Engineering• Currently the Largest Branch

(2nd largest branch is EE)

• One of the broadest of all engineering branches

• Found at most campuses with Engineering programs

Mechanical Engineering

• Involved with “Machines”:

– MEs design tools, engines, machines

– Design and develop power-producing machines,including…

• internal combustion engines

Mechanical Engineering

– Design and develop power-producing machines, including

• Steam and Gas turbines

TurboFans from Jet Aircraft

Turbinator Gas Turbine Engine Race Car

Mechanical Engineering Jet and Rocket engines.

Jet Engine powered Truck

NASA next-generation rocket engine powered

spacecraft

Mechanical Engineering

Design and develop power-using machines such as

• Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning (HVAC) systems

Mechanical Engineering

Design and develop power-using machines such as

• Robotic systems

Land Mine Detecting Robot

Mechanical Engineering - Robotics

ZEUS robotic system used for Open Heart Surgery

made by Computer Motion

SOCRATES telecommunication system made by Computer

Motion

Mechanical Engineering

Design and develop power-using machines such as

• Machine Tools

TITLE: Cotton Gin PATENT NUMBER: 72X March 14, 1794 Eli WhitneyUS Patent & Trademark Office

Mechanical Engineering

Three Broad Areas covered by ME:

1. Energy

2. Mechanical Systems: Structures and motion

3. Manufacturing

Mechanical Engineering

• In MicroElectronics IndustryMEs often design the housing or casing that holds electronic circuitry, sometimes known as ‘packaging’

Mechanical Engineering

• Product Design involves the ergonomics and functionality of a variety of objects

www.baddesigns.com

Lists examples of bad design, including bad mechanical design

Mechanical Engineering

What’s wrong with this cup holder design?

Mechanical Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering is often a subset of Mechanical Engineering

The tools used in all operating rooms are usually developed by biomedical engineers working with surgeons and other medical personnel.

Mini-infusion pump transdermal medicine-

delivery device

Mechanical Engineering

• Some interesting websites about Mechanical Engineering:

• How Stuff Works– www.howstuffworks.com

• Mechanical Engineering Magazine– www.memagazine.org