Chapter 2

The Engineering Profession

Chapter Overview

What is Engineering? The Engineering Process Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th

Century Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career Engineering Disciplines Engineering Job Functions Employment Opportunities Important Fields for the Future Engineering as a Profession

What is Engineering?

If someone asked you the question: “What is engineering?”

How would you respond?

“Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of [hu]mankind.”

What is Engineering?

My Definition of Non Strategic Engineering

Economically Applied Physics, Chemistry (Bio Chemistry) based on Math with the following priority; 1-Physics 2-Chemistry 3-Math 0-Economy

Learning More about Engineering

Study Chapter 2 of Studying Engineering Search the web

–http://www.eweek.org–http://www.engineeringk12.org–http://www.discoverengineering.org–http://www.dedicatedengineers.org–http://www.careercornerstone.org–http://www.jets.org

Talk to engineering professionals Attend career days Other?

Astronaut Neil Armstong

Engineering is often associated with science and understandably so. Both make extensive use of mathematics, and engineering requires a solid scientific basis. Yet as any scientist or engineer will tell you, they are quite different. Science is quest for “truth for its own sake,” for an ever more exact understanding of the natural world. It explains the change in the viscosity of a liquid as its temperature is varied, the release of heat when water vapor condenses, and the reproductive process of plants. It determines the speed of light. Engineering turns those explanations and understandings into new or improved machines, technologies, and processes- to bring reality to idea and to provide solutions to social needs.

The Engineering Design Process(Heart of Engineering)

Customer need or opportunity–Missile needed by army–“Post its” Yellow sticking paper

Problem definition/Specifications–Weight–Size–Speed–Safety and reliability–Cost–Timing

Data and information collection–Field data–Literature data

Development of alternative solutions–Creativity

Evaluation of design/selection of optimal design–Computer aided drafting (CAD)–Stress analysis–Modeling–Material science–Manufacturing processes

Implementation of optimal design–Common sense–Experiences–Optimization software

The Engineering Design Process(Heart of Engineering)

Engineering Design Process, begins with perception of a market opportunity and ends with :

productionSalesDelivery of the productsAnd Of Course: UPGRADE

Case Study

Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle

(Nuna 3)

1-Customer Need

In April 2004, South Australian Tourism Commission, proposed to Delft University in Netherland to apply for entry into 2005 World Solar Challenge. (www.wsc.org.au)

2- Problem Definition and Specifications

The primary design Specifications:Max Vehicle Size : 5 x 1.8 x1. meterMin Heights for driver sight: 700 mmSolar Cell Type: No LimitationBattery Type: Commercially availableMax Battery Capacity: 5.5 Kw-hrSafety requirments: Safey belt, helmet, structural roll

bar, 15 sec. unassisted egress, brakes, tires, steering and electrical system

3- Data and Information Collection

Extensive data and information needed on:

Electric motor systemsSystem batteriesSolar power systemsVehicle aerodynamicsLight weight vehicle designVehicle suspension and steeringMechanical drive system

4- Development of Alternative Design

For an optimum design, some trade off needed in:

High solar panel power (high surface area)Low aerodynamic drag (low, but smooth surface area)Low vehicle weight (the lower surface are, small and

light devices and equipments)High electrical power system efficiencyHigh mechanical drive system efficiencyGood battery performance (heavy batteries)High overall reliability (Optimum System)

5- Development of optimal Design

Final Design Parameters:solar panel power: 2,100 Watts

–Efficiency: 26%aerodynamic drag : 0.07

–Minimize the front surface area by computer design and wind tunnel testsvehicle weight : < 200 Kg

–Using light Aluminum alloy materialelectrical power system efficiency: >97%

–The motor installed in the rear part to give the lowest loss through mechanical transmission

battery weight: 30 Kg–Light Polymer batteries

6- Implementation of optimal Design

The real Work (Construction):First Stage

–Building mechanical stageExternal bodyWheelsSteeringbrakes

Second Stage–Power electronic system

MotorMotor controlBatteriesDrive system

Third Stage–Solar panels installation

Results

Nuna 3 wins with 3 hr 24 min ahead of the second car in a 29 hr race!

Other contestants:

Aurora from Australia (the past winner)Momentum from Michigan (winner of 2005 North

America)Tesseract from MIT (Top finisher of most races)Sky Ace Tiga from Japan (holder of world speed in solar

cars)

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20th Century

20. High performance materials19. Nuclear technologies18. Laser and fiber optics17. Petroleum and gas technologies16. Health technologies15. Household appliances14. Imaging technologies13. Internet12. Space exploration11. Interstate highways

10. Air-conditioning and refrigeration 9. Telephone 8. Computers 7. Agricultural mechanization 6. Radio and television 5. Electronics 4. Safe and abundant water 3. Airplane 2. Automobile 1. Electrification

Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century (continued)

Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career

1. Job satisfaction2. Varied opportunities3. Challenging work4. Intellectual development5. Social impact6. Financial security7. Prestige8. Professional environment9. Understanding how things work10. Creative thinking

2005/06 Starting Salaries

Discipline Avg. Salary

Engineering $51,465Computer Science 49,680Engineering Technology 48,514Nursing 45,347Business 41,900Mathematics and Sciences 38,217Agriculture & Natural Resources 33,716Education 32,438Humanities & Social Sciences 31,290Communications 31,110

Engineering Disciplines

Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Chemical Engineering Industrial Engineering Other (Aerospace, Biomedical, etc)

Engineering Job Functions

Analysis Design Test Development Sales Research Management Consulting Teaching

Industry Sectors(Non-manufacturing)

• Professional, scientific, and technical services• Information• Construction• Wholesale trade• Administrative and support• Management of companies and enterprises• Utilities• Mining

Industry Sectors (Manufacturing)

Computer and electronic product Transportation equipment Machinery Fabricated metal product Chemical Electronic equipment, appliance, and

component

Major Changes Affecting the Future

The fall of the Berlin Wall Advances in computer technology Advances in communications The knowledge and information explosion Globalization (outsourcing, off-shoring) Increased focus on the environment Events of September 11, 2001 World population explosion

Important Fields for the Future

Manufacturing frontiers Information and communication systems Smart and engineered materials Bioengineering Critical infrastructure systems Homeland security Improved health care delivery Nanotechnology Advanced environmental technology Sensors and control systems

Engineering as a Profession

• Professional registration Graduation from ABET-accredited engineering program

Pass Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)

Complete four years of acceptable engineering practice

Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam

• Professional societies

Group Discussion ExerciseMotorized Beach Wheelchair

Working in your group, develop a list of specifications for a motorized wheel chair that could be used on a sandy beach.

Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with

Alternative Group DiscussionLearning More About Engineering

In your group, “brainstorm” a list of tangible things you can do to learn more about engineering. Be bold and creative!

Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with