Are you an engineer in the industrial or commercial sector? If you are part of the design team, you must know that selecting the best engineering materials is a critical part of your operations. Incorrect material selection has led to numerous disasters including the Boston Molasses Disaster, De Havilland Comet Plane Crashes and the Eschede …
Poisson’s ratio is a value that defines the amount of contraction that occurs when something is stretched, or the amount of expansion when an object is compressed. The contraction is always measured at 90o to the stretching or compression force. To put it in very simple terms – in general, when an object is stretched …
Most engineering installations and equipment are subjected to (and designed to withstand) a variety of atmospheric conditions and over a wide range of temperature, pressure, humidity and other related factors. But how do these thermodynamic quantities affect one another, and how does one property differ in relation to changes in the other? After all, these …
Deciding on the ideal coating for your engineering application is always a very difficult task, you need to decide on chemical, process, mechanical and component compatibility. Some coatings are not ideal for specific applications. There are many different types of coatings for a vast array of applications, however this post will focus on an advanced …
What is Parylene coating and when should you use it? Read More »
The act of measuring has become an important part of our everyday lives. The need to measure and standardise has developed into the science of metrology. It has become an indispensable tool in the advancement of technology. In this article we’ll look at its importance and how it relates to mechanical engineering. First of all, …
Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) refers to a reliability testing technique that aims to expose the weaknesses of a product. The main objective is to expose the product to incremental stresses, in order to discover flaws and defects. A HALT test must be conducted during the early stages of the product design process. HALT was …
In the study of electronics, many laws and theories exist. These laws enable us to understand the workings of electric circuits and components. One such law is Watt’s law. Watt’s law is named after James Watt, a Scottish engineer and chemist. It defines the relationship between power, voltage and current. This law states that the …
The amount of CAD packages available is overwhelming and it is often a painful exercise to decide which is best. This article will compare two of the most popular CAD packages; Solid Edge software by Siemens, and SolidWorks software by Dassualt Systemes. Both are very capable at 3d modelling and simulation. However, they have unique …
In simple terms, cold rolling is an industrial process used to change the material properties of sheets or strips of metal. The metal is fed between two rollers which compresses it. The resulting mechanical properties vary, depending on how much strain is applied. The main benefits of cold rolling are that it results in a …
Do you know of a material that can work as a mould release agent, dispersant and modifier for plastic? Whether utilized for surface properties or as a processing agent, polyethylene (PE) wax offers a myriad of benefits. For these and many other reasons, the product is growing in popularity at an amazing pace. According to …
What is shear stress equation? How do you calculate shear stress on a beam? Impact shear stress equation Fluids shear stress equation Wall Shear Stress measurement Did you realise that when you rub your hands together while washing, you are causing shear stress on the surface of your hands? Or that when you brush your …
Shear Stress Equation clearly explained. Average, Beam, Impact, Fluids shear stress Read More »
Hardness generally refers to the resistance of a material to scratching or indentation, and a qualitative measure of the strength of the material. The most commonly used hardness tests are the Rockwell test, Brinell test and the Vickers hardness test. This article will provide an introduction into durometer hardness and the gauge used to measure …
EDM stands for Electrical Discharge Machining. An EDM machine is the piece of equipment used to carry out this manufacturing process. The principle behind EDM was first observed in 1770 by Joseph Priestley, who was experimenting with electrical discharges. He noticed that the sparks had eroded some of the electrode material. Almost 200 years later …
Have you come across Pascals as a unit of pressure and not quite sure what it is? Pressure can be a bit confusing. There are a few different units of pressure that are still in common use, depending on which country you’re in and the industry of application. Pressure units include Pounds per Square Inch …
Pascals explained: A simplified guide for boneheads Read More »
Before defining the volumetric flow rate equation and how to apply it, let’s explore the concept of volumetric flow and how the principle is used in engineering and physics. What exactly is volumetric flow rate? It can be described as the rate at which a fluid flows. In simple terms, it is a measurement of …
Different heating methodologies have historically been used for both domestic and commercial purposes. Conduction, convection and radiation are the main types of heat transfer, with more complex thermodynamics based on these three basic principles. Several heat transfer methods are implemented in manufacturing industries to change the electrical resistivity, magnetic, and physical properties of metals by …
Resonant frequency can apply to many areas of the physical sciences or engineering. Thus, there is more than one resonant frequency equation, depending on the field you happen to be studying – electrical, acoustic, or mechanical engineering for example. In this article, we’re going to start by looking at what resonant frequency actually is, before …
Resonant Frequency Equation: mechanical, electrical and acoustic Read More »
Have you ever wondered what the ‘perfect’ choice of aluminium for your project is? Aluminium is the most widely used non-ferrous metal, and there are dozens of commercial options available, which greatly vary in properties based on their alloy composition and temper. The 7075-T6 aluminium offers an excellent balance of properties that make it a …
It’s very likely that when people hear the terms; chrome plating, chromium plating, or even just “chrome” what probably comes to mind is the visualization of a shiny metal surface, but does it only serve an aesthetic purpose? If not, what other purpose does it serve? When unalloyed, Chromium has a relative high hardness and …
Grade 316 stainless steel is a highly corrosion resistant type of standard grade stainless steel. Have you ever wondered why this alloy fits in such a wide range of applications including heat exchangers, boat fittings, and threaded fasteners among many others? Stainless steel is generally suitable for many processing and related industries, but 316 stainless …
Imagine pulling a rubber band with both hands, in opposite directions. The rubber band is elastic and expands. Beyond a certain point, however, when the band can no longer take the ‘stress’, it breaks. That, is yield strength for you. Materials, in general, exhibit elastic or plastic behavior. Elastic behavior is when the material regains …
Farmers have The Old Farmer’s Almanac and parents have the famous book Baby and Childcare. Have you ever wondered what the ‘Bible’ of aircraft engineering is? For more than six decades, a guide has been the essential design and maintenance guide for aircraft engineers – the MMPDS. These initials stand for Metallic Materials Properties Development …
MMPDS – A Guide to “Metallic Materials Properties Development Standardization” Read More »
Yield strength is one of the most important material properties to be aware of. It’s something that every mechanical engineer should know about. Why do some plastics break cleanly and others deform and elongate prior to break? This is a common question and an important phenomenon to understand. The yield strength of plastics holds the …
Seriously, you won’t believe some of these mechanical engineering bodges. You’ll be intrigued, flabbergasted and horrified in equal measures at these bodges that ended in catastrophe. 1. Titanic (1912) Everyone knows that the maiden voyage of the Titanic didn’t go quite as planned. The captain was blamed for poor navigation and traveling at a speed …
What does the future of industrial design look like? How has the role of designers changed in the last half century? Many mechanical engineering professionals and students have asked such questions at some point. Five decades ago, the sole role of the designer was to sketch on a paper. Everything revolved around improving functionality, aesthetics …
The mechanical engineer’s guide to industrial design Read More »
It has been observed that most aircraft accidents occur during the take-off or landing phase of the flight. Lift is a major part of takeoff. Before getting technical and diving right into the, let’s understand what lift is in simple terms. This will make it easier to grasp the concepts involved in the equation itself. …
Lift Equation – fully explained and simplified for beginners Read More »
Wood is a natural resource that comes from trees, and has been used for centuries in a vast amount of different applications from furniture and decorative items, through to structures and framework. But how do the different properties affect the applications? As you would expect, wood has both physical and chemical properties. Physical properties comprise …
Density of wood in kg/m3, g/cm3, lb/ft3 – the ultimate guide Read More »
Ask any engineer to list a few of the most popular software tools for 3D design creation and modeling, and the answers will most likely contain SolidWorks as one of the preferred tools. SolidWorks is a CAD/CAE software that helps users create 3D models and assemblies, based on specific parameters. It is easy-to-use and runs …
Whether you’re a seasoned engineer or a wet-behind-the-ears novice, there are some immutable laws that must be followed to produce a good mechanical design. If you don’t follow them, you’ll be sentenced to eternal hellfire and damnation. Either that, or you’ll find yourself having to do lots of redesigning and pulling out of hair. So, …
Steel reinforcing bar, or rebar, is used to reinforce concrete in building work. It can be a complicated area of construction to navigate if you’re unfamiliar with it. Rebar sizes vary greatly and choosing the right ones for the job requires a certain amount of knowledge and skill. As well as the size of rebar, …
A Guide to Rebar Sizes – an overview of steel reinforcement bars Read More »
Viscosity refers to the amount that a fluid (gas or liquid) resists changing shape. In other words, how much a fluid opposes flow. Therefore, the viscosity of water refers to how much water resists flow or movement. A more technical way to describe viscosity is that it’s a measure of how much a given fluid …
Have you ever wondered why gauge symmetry is synonymous with electromagnetism equations? Anytime the topic comes up, it reminds us of Maxwell’s electrodynamics. Gauge field theories are the characteristic of gauge symmetries. Interestingly, you were most probably taught about these theories if you went through a physics class, albeit unknowingly. In this guide, we will …
Gauge Symmetry for Boneheads – a brief explanation of the fundamentals. Read More »
As engineers we love to model the world around us and estimate the impact of variables on our design. It is an activity that appeals to the core of our profession. In this review, we look at a tool that uses the convenience of digital computers to help solve complex hydrological problems. Introducing – HydroCAD, …
When deciding whether or not to invest the time and money into learning a new CAD package, the sea of choice is often overwhelming. Making the task that much more daunting is that fact that not all packages are equal. Some are better suited for machine design whereas others are better suited for product design …
As engineering designs increase in complexity we rely more and more on finite element analysis (FEA) packages to solve the problems encountered in these designs. Finding information on which software is best suited for your application is often a confusing and frustrating exercise. Furthermore, the cost structures of these software packages are often a labyrinth …
How much does Abaqus cost? Your 2018 guide to Abaqus pricing Read More »
Have you got your tablet of stone and hammer and chisel at the ready? Ok, so these are the 7 deadly sins, not the 10 commandments, but you get the idea. You don’t want to make these mistakes in your career if you can possibly avoid them. In this article, we’ve outlined some of the …
What are the main parts of a bridge? Many of us use bridges everyday, but have you ever stopped to consider what makes up the various parts of a bridge? Bridges are usually built when there is a need to cross over a road, railway, or water channel. Many large and small bridges have been …
Engineering forums are amazingly helpful to engineers. Engineering is a very complex practice. Not only does it encompass an immense range of fields or specialisations, but it requires the application of many different disciplines like science, mathematics, and economics. Basically, all practical and technical knowledge can be capitalised by engineering. It involves the invention, innovation, …
Newbies to engineering often underestimate the ‘soft skills’ they will need to develop for the job. Being able to present your mechanical design effectively involves much more than just knowing the technical details inside out. Tips to help you present your mechanical design Whether you need to present your mechanical design to your peers, a …
How to present your mechanical design to the team Read More »
Stronger than some steels, but almost 45% lighter….. Twice as strong as aluminium, but just about 60% heavier….. That’s titanium for you! Titanium is a lustrous, silver-coloured metal, and incredibly strong, while being very light. It has the distinction of having very high corrosion resistance (even in sea water and chlorine), and the highest strength, …
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