4 answers
Dre
Student
Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
3
Questions
Asked
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If you had to explain what a mechanical engineer does using only one car part as an example, which part would you choose?
9th grade
I like physical work
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4 answers
Larry Apfel
Aircraft Mechanic
31
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Larry’s Answer
Dre,
I get the feeling you have helped work on the family car and are interested in auto mechanics and mechanical engineering. I have some experience with both. I still have my first car, a 1967 Mustang, and I still love working on it.
Now, your question, pick a part of a car and tell you what you would do as a mechanical engineer to design it. I'm going to pick a wheel bearing. Hopefully you know that wheel bearings (which are also called roller bearings) allow the wheels to spin on an axle; without bearings nothing spins. It consists of a few parts, an inner race, an outer race, roller bearings, a cage to keep the roller bearings separated, and a lubricant. If you are a mechanical engineer working at the bearing manufacturer you will need to design each of those parts and pick the correct lubricant. I'm going to answer the question as if I'm a mechanical engineer working for Ford Motor company, an automobile manufacturer.
You, as the engineer for Ford will need to pick a bearing that will do the job that your car requires based on the conditions that your car will be used. These will be things that you will already know about your car when you contact the bearing manufacturer. You will need to know how much weight is going to be sitting on it (called the "load"). You will need to know the speed at which the bearing will rotate (Called RPM-revolutions per minute), Another important criteria is how many cycles or revolutions this bearing has to go before it wears out (this is going to millions and millions of cycles). Also important item in order to pick the right bearing is the temperature of the environment in which this bearing is operated. You might guess that hotter temperatures will reduce the life of the bearing. In fact, if you exceed any of the design criteria, you will reduce the life of the bearing.
Let's just say the standard design goals are for automobiles are 10 years or 100,000 miles. Of course you will need to know what size the bearing has to be to fit into the space the car has; this is also something you will know from the drawings.
So, as the mechanical engineer you will be required to pick the correct bearing from the bearing manufacturer for the application you have. You will have to gather the information from the mechanical drawings in order to answer these questions, 1) total cycles, 2) maximum load, 3) operating temperature, 4) maximum RPM, and 5) size limitations. When you have these answers, you will be able to choose the right bearing from the bearing manufacturer's catalog. If there isn't something exact, a manufacturer can make a bearing that will fit your needs especially if you're ordering a large quantity. Lastly, your job as the mechanical engineer might be minimizing the cost of the items. You might be required to keep that bearing below a certain cost.
I hope that answers your question. I picked a part and gave you some of the design criteria you would need to select the correct one. I have always done auto mechanics and I enjoyed working as a mechanical engineer. Whatever direction you go in pick something you will enjoy doing, to make your job fun.
Best luck to you Dre,
Larry A.
I get the feeling you have helped work on the family car and are interested in auto mechanics and mechanical engineering. I have some experience with both. I still have my first car, a 1967 Mustang, and I still love working on it.
Now, your question, pick a part of a car and tell you what you would do as a mechanical engineer to design it. I'm going to pick a wheel bearing. Hopefully you know that wheel bearings (which are also called roller bearings) allow the wheels to spin on an axle; without bearings nothing spins. It consists of a few parts, an inner race, an outer race, roller bearings, a cage to keep the roller bearings separated, and a lubricant. If you are a mechanical engineer working at the bearing manufacturer you will need to design each of those parts and pick the correct lubricant. I'm going to answer the question as if I'm a mechanical engineer working for Ford Motor company, an automobile manufacturer.
You, as the engineer for Ford will need to pick a bearing that will do the job that your car requires based on the conditions that your car will be used. These will be things that you will already know about your car when you contact the bearing manufacturer. You will need to know how much weight is going to be sitting on it (called the "load"). You will need to know the speed at which the bearing will rotate (Called RPM-revolutions per minute), Another important criteria is how many cycles or revolutions this bearing has to go before it wears out (this is going to millions and millions of cycles). Also important item in order to pick the right bearing is the temperature of the environment in which this bearing is operated. You might guess that hotter temperatures will reduce the life of the bearing. In fact, if you exceed any of the design criteria, you will reduce the life of the bearing.
Let's just say the standard design goals are for automobiles are 10 years or 100,000 miles. Of course you will need to know what size the bearing has to be to fit into the space the car has; this is also something you will know from the drawings.
So, as the mechanical engineer you will be required to pick the correct bearing from the bearing manufacturer for the application you have. You will have to gather the information from the mechanical drawings in order to answer these questions, 1) total cycles, 2) maximum load, 3) operating temperature, 4) maximum RPM, and 5) size limitations. When you have these answers, you will be able to choose the right bearing from the bearing manufacturer's catalog. If there isn't something exact, a manufacturer can make a bearing that will fit your needs especially if you're ordering a large quantity. Lastly, your job as the mechanical engineer might be minimizing the cost of the items. You might be required to keep that bearing below a certain cost.
I hope that answers your question. I picked a part and gave you some of the design criteria you would need to select the correct one. I have always done auto mechanics and I enjoyed working as a mechanical engineer. Whatever direction you go in pick something you will enjoy doing, to make your job fun.
Best luck to you Dre,
Larry A.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
252
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Dre,
You have an excellent mindset.
A cooling system/radiator is required to enable a car engine maintain optimum operating temperatures. As you may be aware, a car engine is a heat engine - chemical energy in the fuel is converted into heat energy through combustion. Some of this heat energy is converted into mechanical power. The remaining heat is dissipated and therefore has to be conveyed away from the engine and it's surroundings. The radiator performs this function.
The mechanical engineer designs the radiator - establish how much heat is required to be removed (thermal load); select a working fluid/coolant (water plus additives): compute required flow rate for coolant; size circulation circuit; select circulation pump with optimum capacity; establish fan size and speed to generate the desired volumetric air flow; produce/procure & assemble parts; test system for functionality and deploy for utilization when the required reliability is achieved.
While in service, the radiator needs to be monitored, serviced & maintained - coolant level maintained, coolant condition monitored & replaced as required, circulation pump monitored for functionality and replaced when required reliability levels are not being met, circulation system monitored for leaks & repaired as required, functionality of cooling fan monitored and repairs done as required, cleanliness of casing maintained through regular cleaning. Basic diagnostics on the dashboard is used to monitor engine temperature.
Failed parts are analyzed to establish root causes & root causes are addressed to continuously improve reliability.
Holistically, roles for a mechanical engineer are found in design, manufacture, operation, projects, utilities, consulting, research and development, maintenance, teaching in institutions of higher learning and leadership in management.
I truly hope you find this useful.
Best of luck in your studies and career.
You have an excellent mindset.
A cooling system/radiator is required to enable a car engine maintain optimum operating temperatures. As you may be aware, a car engine is a heat engine - chemical energy in the fuel is converted into heat energy through combustion. Some of this heat energy is converted into mechanical power. The remaining heat is dissipated and therefore has to be conveyed away from the engine and it's surroundings. The radiator performs this function.
The mechanical engineer designs the radiator - establish how much heat is required to be removed (thermal load); select a working fluid/coolant (water plus additives): compute required flow rate for coolant; size circulation circuit; select circulation pump with optimum capacity; establish fan size and speed to generate the desired volumetric air flow; produce/procure & assemble parts; test system for functionality and deploy for utilization when the required reliability is achieved.
While in service, the radiator needs to be monitored, serviced & maintained - coolant level maintained, coolant condition monitored & replaced as required, circulation pump monitored for functionality and replaced when required reliability levels are not being met, circulation system monitored for leaks & repaired as required, functionality of cooling fan monitored and repairs done as required, cleanliness of casing maintained through regular cleaning. Basic diagnostics on the dashboard is used to monitor engine temperature.
Failed parts are analyzed to establish root causes & root causes are addressed to continuously improve reliability.
Holistically, roles for a mechanical engineer are found in design, manufacture, operation, projects, utilities, consulting, research and development, maintenance, teaching in institutions of higher learning and leadership in management.
I truly hope you find this useful.
Best of luck in your studies and career.
Dan Wallace
Strategy, Operation, Planning
1
Answer
Parrish, Florida
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Hi Dre,
Great question! I got my degree in semiconductor electronics, and when I started my first job, I was amazed by the many career options. The same goes for mechanical engineering. Depending on the path you choose, there are many possibilities. For instance, if you're interested in development, think about working on car brakes. A mechanical engineer decides how to design them so they work safely and efficiently. They determine the size of the brake discs, the materials that can handle heat, how much force is needed to stop the car, and how long the parts should last. They use math, science, design, and testing to ensure the brakes work every time you press the pedal.
Also, consider the role of AI in the next five years. I see software engineers adapting as AI takes over repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on complex projects. AI is also creating new opportunities in coding to support these models. Whatever you choose, make sure your program includes AI-related coursework.
It's wonderful that you're already thinking about your future as a 9th grader. I wish you all the best!
Dan
Great question! I got my degree in semiconductor electronics, and when I started my first job, I was amazed by the many career options. The same goes for mechanical engineering. Depending on the path you choose, there are many possibilities. For instance, if you're interested in development, think about working on car brakes. A mechanical engineer decides how to design them so they work safely and efficiently. They determine the size of the brake discs, the materials that can handle heat, how much force is needed to stop the car, and how long the parts should last. They use math, science, design, and testing to ensure the brakes work every time you press the pedal.
Also, consider the role of AI in the next five years. I see software engineers adapting as AI takes over repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on complex projects. AI is also creating new opportunities in coding to support these models. Whatever you choose, make sure your program includes AI-related coursework.
It's wonderful that you're already thinking about your future as a 9th grader. I wish you all the best!
Dan
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
118
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Dre,
Imagine the engine as the heart of a car. A mechanical engineer's job is to understand how all its parts like pistons, valves, and fuel systems work together to create power. They design it to run smoothly, fix it when needed, and make it more efficient.
This field is exciting because it combines hands-on work with problem-solving. You might be testing parts or building prototypes while using creativity and science to boost performance. For someone like you who loves physical work, mechanical engineering lets you connect theory with practice. You will see your ideas come to life in machines that move and drive.
Mechanical engineers ensure the car's "heart" beats strong, reliable, and innovative.
Wishing you lots of inspiration as you explore this path.
Imagine the engine as the heart of a car. A mechanical engineer's job is to understand how all its parts like pistons, valves, and fuel systems work together to create power. They design it to run smoothly, fix it when needed, and make it more efficient.
This field is exciting because it combines hands-on work with problem-solving. You might be testing parts or building prototypes while using creativity and science to boost performance. For someone like you who loves physical work, mechanical engineering lets you connect theory with practice. You will see your ideas come to life in machines that move and drive.
Mechanical engineers ensure the car's "heart" beats strong, reliable, and innovative.
Wishing you lots of inspiration as you explore this path.