This course introduces the basics and fundamental concepts and applications of mechanical engineering. The course starts with an introduction to the basic principles of mechanical drawings such as tolerances, symbols, sections, fasteners etc. The use of computer aided design and good drawing office practices are also discussed. After this, the properties and mechanical behavior of engineering components are presented. Phenomena such as stress and strain, fatigue, fracture, creep and corrosion are discussed. Mechanical design philosophies are discussed with the focus on the use of safety factors during the design for static strength. The candidates will have the opportunity to gain some insight in the process of mechanical design for manufacturing and production. Various manufacturing operations will be discussed, starting with the production of metal and alloys. The methods to shape metal into its final desired shape, such as casting, forming, machining, welding etc. will be discussed. The candidates will be introduced to the use of computerized methods of manufacturing (CNC, CAM) and also the use of rapid prototyping. Principles of mechanical automation as it is typically found in industry will be discussed with the focus on the application of hydraulic and pneumatic systems. There is also a discussion on electric motors, mechanical actuation systems and common control systems (e.g. PLCs).
By the end of this training course, participants will learn to:
- Understand the principles of mechanical drawings and design
- Learn to select the correct engineering materials
- Apply specific techniques of mechanical automation in industry
- Understand principles of fluid engineering (pumps, pipes, valves, compressors)
- Learn to apply important fundamentals of machinery maintenance
- Understand mechanical design drawings
- Do basic static safety factor mechanical designs
- Identify failure modes of mechanical components
- Understand the behavior of engineering materials and do basic selections
- Select manufacturing processes for simple designs
- Design and implement simple mechanical automation systems
- Understand the principles of fluid engineering
- Identify and select basic fluid engineering components
- Perform simple fluid engineering designs
- Select a maintenance strategy for mechanical machinery
- Recognize general mechanical problems and suggest corrective actions
Basics of Mechanical Engineering
- Basic concepts
- Units for engineering quantities
- Friction and its importance
Mechanical Drawings
- Purpose of drawings
- Lines, letters
- Projections, views
- Sections
- Conventions
- Dimensions
- Symbols
- Assemblies
- Welds, bolts, keyways, rivets, etc.
- Shafts and bearings
- Fitting and tolerances
- Couplings
- Transmission components (belts, gears etc.)
- Flow control equipment
- CAD
- Design and drawing office practices
Engineering Materials
- The processing of metals and alloys
- Stress and strain in metals
- Normal stress and shear stress
- Tensile and hardness testing
- Stress and strain diagram
- Alloy production and properties (stainless, copper, aluminum, cast iron etc.)
- Fracture of metals
- Fatigue of metals
- Creep and stress rupture of metals
- Types of corrosion
- Corrosion control
Mechanical Design
- Design philosophies/methods/phases
- Factor of safety
- Codes and standards
- Loads (forces, moments)
- Static analysis of systems
- Design for static strength
- Design of fasteners and connections
- Design of load-carrying members
- Fundamentals practices of design-for-fatigue
- Design for manufacturing
- Tolerance, limits and fits
Mechanical Engineering Codes and Standards
- Need for standardization
- Overview of standards
- Benefits of standardization
- Mechanical engineering standardization
- ISO 9000/1
- Six sigma
Manufacturing
- Metal production - foundry
- Casting
- Heat treatment
- Hot working of metal
- Cold working of metal
- Press work and tooling
- Numerical control
- Machining, metal cutting (turning, drilling, boring, milling)
- Shaping, sawing, broaching
- Welding, brazing
- CAM
- Rapid prototyping
Mechanical Automation
- Sensors and transducers
- Pneumatics
- Hydraulics
- Mechanical and electrical actuation
- Principles of control systems
- PLCs
- Fluid Engineering
- Pumps
- Compressors
- Other fluid engineering components
- Design/analysis of piping systems
- Principles of thermodynamics (introduction to first and second law)
- Power and refrigeration systems
Maintenance of Machinery
- Maintenance philosophies
- On-line tests/inspections
- Time-based maintenance
- Condition-based maintenance
Theory of Heat Transfer
- Heat basics
- Heat transfer: conduction, convection and radiation
Anyone with little or no prior formal background, who function as Managers, Supervisors, Engineers, Planners, Inspectors, Designers, Researchers, Investors or Procurers, and who seek a basic understanding of the aspects of Mechanical Engineering