Capital University of Science and Technology

Department of Mechanical Engineering

HMME3133: Professional Ethics, Spring 2017

Assignment No. 1
Instructor: Usama Qazi Date: 14/03/2017
Total Marks: 10 Due Date: 21/03/2017

Instructions:
Assignment submission should be on A4 size sheet.
Late submission is not allowed.
Avoid unnecessary details and arguments.
Assignment should be submitted on or before due date.
Copied assignments will get zero credit.

You are working for Company XYZ in an entry-level engineering position. Your team has
completed the concept design and all calculations on a computer-controlled system that provides
thermal energy (heat) to cure a wood/plastic composite part. The system is powered by a 440V
service. Your system will be added on to an existing machine that sits on the product floor of a
regional company. During your calculation, you discover two significant issues: (a) there are
surfaces with temperatures in excess of 250 deg-C and there are electrical safety issues. However,
there are no problems so long as the end users follow the instructions. That is, the only way that
people might be injured is if they misuse the machine that is being retrofitted. You plan to put
safety warnings on your part. In addition, you will meet all electrical safety codes and your
literature search revealed no codes or standards governing the thermal hazards your project is
behind schedule and a big fight has erupted in your team meeting. Half of the team thinks you
need to move on so you get back on schedule. Their idea is that the safety issue is the clients
concern because he is an engineer and the machine will be in his factory. The other half thinks
you should do something about potential electrical and thermal safety issues. An intern who is
working for your company asks--what does the professional code of ethics say?
In responding to this question, fill out a professional ethics worksheet.

OVERVIEW. [List the title of the scenario and a short summary (1 to 3 sentences).

The role of professional ethics in engineering

In this situation there is a task to check out the some ethical issues using professional ethics. The
most important issue is the behavior of the client with the manufacturer due to not showing them
the complete information of the system. The second one is also most important issue between the
manufacturer team due to the lack of unity and endurance which make the two groups.
ISSUES. [List the 2 most signicant ethical issues. For each choice, explain why this issue is
important]

1. The behavior of the client with the manufacturer of existing machine is an unethical. Because
he/she didnt tell the information about electrical and thermal safety. This is important issue
because thermal and electrical hazards could be harmful or dangerous for human life(humanity).

2. The second ethical issue is the clash between the whole team. This clash divided the whole team
in two groups because both group have different ideas. Because according to ethics there is no
tolerance and unity.

DECISIONS. [For issue #1 (above), describe the decision you would make & explain why you
would make this decision. Repeat for issue #2]

1. Any client who wants to manufacture a machine from the engineers, first have to inform the
complete details and tell all the specifications of the systems. Because the unavailability of
information causes several problems for manufacturers, for workers, for society and also for the
client.
2. According to professional ethics when we are working in a team we should work as a unity and
also work with endurance. Because the lack of unity and endurance make the problem more
difficult and require more time to complete the project and also creates the problems for the
owner or client.