Boston Dynamics: From Google to Softbank
While R&D divisions often provide the most exciting news, several don’t survive a purge or a pivot in their missions. Once the big engineering programs
Category: General articles
Machine Learning in Mechanical Design Engineering
Machine learning has become a pioneering field of research in recent years. Since 2014, many big companies have invested in large data/machine learning departments complemented
Engineering Wallpaper – Top 50 FREE downloads
There are masses of free engineering wallpaper images available online today. Whether you are looking for inspiration, a reminder of past projects or perhaps you
Induction heater – how it works
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
Buoyancy and its many applications
Let us take a look at density before we deep dive (or float!) into the science of buoyancy. Density is the ratio of weight of
What is thermochromic paint? Where is it used?
Before we look at the many reasons why you would use thermochromic paint, it is worth reminding ourselves exactly what we are talking about. In
Engineering Workplace Culture
Let’s look into engineering workplace culture. Mechanical engineering is a very challenging profession: between keeping up with deadlines, managing creativity and practicality, working in teams
Leidenfrost Effect Explained plus FAQ
The Leidenfrost Effect is a phenomenon the majority of us will come across on a regular basis but probably never give it a second thought.
Fed up with modeling parts from scratch? Use a CAD library
Computer Aided Design is an integral part of the engineering industry, improving efficiency and reducing project timescales. The ability to create and test products in
Why everything you think you know about PLM is wrong
PLM has a bad reputation: It’s annoying to use. It’s so clunky. It doesn’t help me do my job. And I don’t disagree. After all,
Ionized Gas As Fuel – Useful Information
Is it possible to use ionized gas as fuel? Have you ever wondered what makes those neon signs glow? Or what makes the auroras so
Advertise with EngineeringClicks
Do you want to advertise directly to our mechanical engineering community? We can offer you some fantastic opportunities to advertise via EngineeringClicks including: Sponsored articles
The Key Principles of Inventory Management
When The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt came in 1984, readers weren’t sure how to treat it: was it a management help book, a drama with
How to Design a Tornado Shelter and how they’re tested
Many of us lucky enough not to live in areas which are frequently susceptible to tornadoes can only look on as we see images on
Underwater Welding 101: Read this and be an expert in 5 minutes!
The idea of welding underwater seems bizarre in the extreme. From a very early age we are taught never to mix electricity and water. However,
Women in Robotics – Tackling Inequality
If we look at science and engineering the presence of women in robotics is relatively low. However it is improving and if the issue is
5 Engineering Bodges that Ended in Disaster
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
Robotics For Humanitarian Purposes
One can easily be in awe when witnessing the performance of robotics in outer space. It is proof of the progress and long way we,
The mechanical engineer’s guide to industrial design
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
55 types of hammers – the ultimate guide
This post was originally published in October 2016, and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness. When we use the term “hammer” we all
Cooling Towers Explained: How does a cooling tower work?
Even though cooling towers are not as common today as they were in years gone by, you will almost certainly come across at least one
French drain design and cost, including pipe, gravel and installation
Since the days of the caveman we have seen the emergence of simple drainage systems. Used as means to reduce flood dangers or improve irrigation
6061 Aluminum Properties
It is the 6061 aluminum properties that make it one of the most widely used aluminum alloys, being applied in various fields since 1935. A member
Top 10 Most Innovative Products of All Time – what are yours?
You could argue that the world today is full of innovative products which literally changed lives. We see new services and products rolled out on
Solidworks Forum – Top 5 on the Web
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
The 10 Commandments of Mechanical Design
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
3 Things You Don’t Know About Aerodynamics
If your answer to the above questions is “NO”, then consider yourself lucky. You are in for a treat today. In this article we will
Women in ISS & the future of women in space
The International Space Station is perhaps the most visual success in the world of space exploration. It is one of the few locations in space
Gauge Symmetry for Boneheads – a brief explanation of the fundamentals.
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
HydroCAD – review and latest 2018 pricing
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
Rhino CAD – Review and 2018 Latest Pricing
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
How much does Abaqus cost? Your 2018 guide to Abaqus pricing
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.
How To Maintain Your Conveyor Belt
Conveyor belts are some of the most commonly used pieces of equipment used in a vast array of industries all over the world. This includes
How Indoor Mapping in Retail Stores Improves Customer Experience
Retail stores have always sought out new ways to improve the customer experience. From integration with online stores (e.g., Click and Collect services) to self-service
The 7 Deadly Sins of Mechanical Design
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
What Caused the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster: In Detail
The Chernobyl accident was a nuclear explosion which took place at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the city of Pripyat during the time of
Main Parts of a Bridge – Explained
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
Top 5 Engineering Forums
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,
The Khan Academy – any good for science and engineering?
The Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) is something which will become more visible in the years to come especially for those who have young children at school.
The Steam Hammer: An industrial monster
Even though the original concept of a steam hammer dates back to James Watt in 1784 it was not until the 1840s that the first
