Machanical Technology
Machanical technology is the application of physical principles and the use of tools, elements and machines to accomplish tasks and produce useful products. The field of machanical technology spans a wide range of specialties, including product design and engineering, aeronautics, automotive and metallurgical engineering, robotics and manufacturing, as well as medical equipment manufacturing and machine tooling. This vast array of specialties has enabled the development and production of such products as computers, aircraft, power plants and ships, industrial machinery, medical equipment and a variety of other products.
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers are the professionals who complete a design, development, maintenance, operation and testing of mechanical systems. This profession requires the use of various materials and components, as well as knowledge of applicable principles and laws in order to optimize the use of resources. This can include the selection of materials and components, the overall design and optimization of systems, as well as engineering testing and analysis.
Accomplishments
Through their hard work, mechanical engineers have accomplished a wide range of feats some of which include designing and building robotic systems, large-scale industrial machines such as turbines and engines, small-scale items such as precision instruments and medical implants, as well as developing new technologies such as 3D printing and nanotechnology. Of course, the traditional discipline of mechanical engineering still remains an important field in the production of products ranging from automotive engines to medical implants and precision instruments.
Product Design and Testing
Mechanical technology also encompasses product design, which is the process of generating and validating functional concepts, parts and mechanical assemblies. This can include everything from simple components to entire systems. Product designers use computer-aided design and analysis software to generate a product concept, as well as formulating physical tests to prove the product’s effectiveness.
Similarly, mechanical engineers and product designers use testing and analysis to validate the manufacturability and performance of new products. This includes product performance testing to determine the impact of environmental factors, design optimization and product reliability testing to identify known issues or potential failures.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the production of products from raw materials or components, and is used in the production of components for the mechanical industry. This can include the production of components for automotive engines, automotive body panels, aircraft parts and power plants, as well as the manufacture of specialized components for medical applications, robotics and industrial machinery. Manufacturing involves the use of various techniques such as casting, machining, welding and stamping.
Robotics
Robotics is a sub-field of mechanical technology that focuses on the development of robots () for a wide array of tasks. This includes the development of robotic systems for industrial automation, assembly, construction and other types of tasks. Robotics is an important and growing field, as advanced robotic systems are becoming increasingly common in industry, with the potential to revolutionize how we work and live.
Machine Tooling
Machine tooling is the process of incorporating the tooling and cutting edges necessary to produce the required part or product. This includes machining, grinding, drilling and other related processes, as well as special purpose tooling such as jigs, fixtures and templates. Machine tooling is used to fabricate not only simple parts, but also complex components such as turbine blades and even complete aerospace engines.
Conclusion
The field of mechanical technology encompasses a wide range of specialties and accomplished tasks. This includes product design, engineering, manufacturing, robotics and machine tooling, as well as various other disciplines. Through the advances in this field, we have seen the development of a vast array of products and processes that have transformed the way we live and work.