What software do ME's use?

[flojor10]

I'm in highschool and I want to become a mechanical engineer someday. For about a year I've been practicing Inventor and Solidworks to the point where I feel confident making parts, assemblies and drawings with both. Should I continue learning CAD programs (if so which), or start learning a skill totally new, to get ahead?

[txcncman]

Learn as many programs and as much as you can. But most important is learn the practical hands-on side of making things too. Most engineers have no clue as to the processes needed to make different parts and assemblies. Because of this, they design things that are more difficult and costly to manufacture.

[Dennis Rech]

I'm in highschool and I want to become a mechanical engineer someday. For about a year I've been practicing Inventor and Solidworks to the point where I feel confident making parts, assemblies and drawings with both. Should I continue learning CAD programs (if so which), or start learning a skill totally new, to get ahead?

There are many fields of Mechanical Engineering.
There are heating and air conditioning MEs.
There are plumbing and sprinkler MEs.
MEs work as construction administrators, maintenance supervisors, fire marshals and building officials.
A few Mechanical Engineers even design machinery and things that go whir.
It sounds like this is the type of ME that you want to be.

If you become a licensed professional engineer, you will spend most of your time writing and reading. Unless its a small firm, the actual job of drawing and designing parts is usually designated to an engineering technician or cad designer/operator.

The ME is usually on the business or supervisory end of the system. Someone has to write proposals, write and edit specifications, read codes, read catalog cuts, write control sequences, write contracts, attend meetings, review plans, correct plans, modify plans, modify specifications, write revised proposals, write pay requests, approve pay requests, handle billings, and entertain clients.
Learn to write, learn to read, learn to talk.
If you become a consulting mechanical engineer, your job will be to produce a set of bid documents so that a contractor, supplier, or production shop can come up with a price for an item that is to be produced.
A tremendous number of items are already produced. Usually you will design a product that is made up of other existing products.
Learn to read catalogs, curves, charts and specifications.
While you are reading, learn the codes and regulations. They will be chewing at your heals every minute of the day.

If you just are interested in designing mechanical parts, learn strength of materials, dynamics, geometry, algebra and trig. People in machine design use a lot of trig. It never hurts to know AutoCad intimately. Lots of technician jobs will require an AutoCad test.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology can lead in many directions. Get a good education in the fundimentals and whatever company that hires you will teach you the specifics.

Hope this helps.

[flojor10]

There are many fields of Mechanical Engineering.
There are heating and air conditioning MEs.
There are plumbing and sprinkler MEs.
MEs work as construction administrators, maintenance supervisors, fire marshals and building officials.
A few Mechanical Engineers even design machinery and things that go whir.
It sounds like this is the type of ME that you want to be.

If you become a licensed professional engineer, you will spend most of your time writing and reading. Unless its a small firm, the actual job of drawing and designing parts is usually designated to an engineering technician or cad designer/operator.

The ME is usually on the business or supervisory end of the system. Someone has to write proposals, write and edit specifications, read codes, read catalog cuts, write control sequences, write contracts, attend meetings, review plans, correct plans, modify plans, modify specifications, write revised proposals, write pay requests, approve pay requests, handle billings, and entertain clients.
Learn to write, learn to read, learn to talk.
If you become a consulting mechanical engineer, your job will be to produce a set of bid documents so that a contractor, supplier, or production shop can come up with a price for an item that is to be produced.
A tremendous number of items are already produced. Usually you will design a product that is made up of other existing products.
Learn to read catalogs, curves, charts and specifications.
While you are reading, learn the codes and regulations. They will be chewing at your heals every minute of the day.

If you just are interested in designing mechanical parts, learn strength of materials, dynamics, geometry, algebra and trig. People in machine design use a lot of trig. It never hurts to know AutoCad intimately. Lots of technician jobs will require an AutoCad test.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology can lead in many directions. Get a good education in the fundimentals and whatever company that hires you will teach you the specifics.

Hope this helps.

So do mechanical engineers come up with the actual design of what is being made or is this the job of someone else? It seems like they are more of the manager of the project, and do less of the hands on work, is this true?

[flojor10]

Learn as many programs and as much as you can. But most important is learn the practical hands-on side of making things too. Most engineers have no clue as to the processes needed to make different parts and assemblies. Because of this, they design things that are more difficult and costly to manufacture.

Don't worry I think I have that down, I've designed/built my own Cnc router and always keep this in mind when designing a part I make. I've learned Cambam and just started learning Mastercam, but I don't want to become a machinist, it would be more fun though.

[Dennis Rech]

So do mechanical engineers come up with the actual design of what is being made or is this the job of someone else? It seems like they are more of the manager of the project, and do less of the hands on work, is this true?

It all starts with the customer (or client). Who ever pays the bills gets to be the final word except that the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction-Building Official, Fire Marshall, Electrical Inspector, EPA Authority, Planner, some other government official) has the actual final word.
Let's say a hospital needs a new heating system. First step may be to contact a mechanical engineer. He will survey the existing systems and may recommend a replacement boiler or some entirely new system and will come up with some budget construction figures.
The hospital administrator will check with the board of directors and give approval for a schematic design which is just a basic outline of the project. If it gets approved, additional professionals may be needed. If structure needs to be replaced or if a number of other disciplines are required, an architect may be brought in to coordinate the project. The building may need structural changes so a structural engineer will be added. There almost always is an electrical engineer and perhaps a control engineer. If work occurs outside the building (gas piping, underground wiring, fire hydrants) a civil engineer gets involved. Each engineer works within his specialty and each coordinates with the others. Each will also contact his material and equipment suppliers and often will let them aid in picking equipment (things change fast and the suppliers know of the latest products).
Let's say that a new boiler system is chosen. The mechanical engineer or his technician will calculate building loads, select equipment, layout piping, provide electrical loads to the electrical engineer, weights and locations to the structural engineer, and pertinent information to the other professionals.
Each engineer or his technician will design his own work on a set of CAD backgrounds provided by the architect.
Each engineer will also write a set of specifications for equipment and materials to be used on the project. The architect will bundle these hundreds of pages of specifications into bid documents.
Plans and specs will be provided to all the AHJs for code approval.
Permits will be issued. Bids will be taken and contracts written and signed.
Each engineer or his construction administrator will review equipment submittals, attend project meetings, approve pay requests, inspect work, and finally issue a completion notice.
So who comes up with the actual design?
Its often a team effort with lots of give and take. Replacing a hospital boiler may bring together more than a hundred people. Building a processing plant may involve 500.

Or it can be much simpler. There are many one man engineering companies where the ME is the salesman, accountant, designer, draftsman typist and also the engineer. He finds out the clients needs and budget and does it all. I know engineers that own iron fabrication companies, heating and plumbing companies and machining companies.

For the most part, engineering has become very specialized. Lets dream big and say that you are a design mechanical engineer working for Ferrari and designing a new F1 engine. You will study the rules books and meet with the rules committee. You will meet with the chassis engineers to make sure that it will fit, the aerodynamic guys for horsepower needs, the metallurgists, the casting folks, the machinists, bearing suppliers, piston suppliers, ignition suppliers, oil chemists, coolant specialists... it goes on for a long time.
Almost everything in engineering is a team effort.
Actual time spent in real engineering?
About 5-10% of the project. The rest is coordination and management.

If you decide to be a technician, your job may be as simple as having an engineer tell you to find a catalog cut of a bearing that can handle a radial load of 375 pounds at 4500 rpm for 200,000 hours or to schedule a pump set that can move 350 gpm at 50 feet of head.

If you are a cad specialist, you may be handed that pump's cut sheet and told to draw it about there in this chemical plant.

What software does a mechanical engineer use?
Word, Excel, Outlook, Project
What is a Mechanical Engineers most important skill?
Communications

Hope this helps again.
Dennis