ME 511 Project Study

CHAPTER 1
Areas of Research for Mechanical Engineering,
and introduction to project study
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I - Areas of research and developments in field of Mechanical Engineering

Discussion on the field of research in mechanical engineering to give ME students some idea on
the latest developments in the field of mechanical engineering which will be a relevant
information later in preparing a project study report that they are to prepare and submit later as
part of the course completion. Research in mechanical engineering can be classified into:

A. Traditional areas of research - these were centered mostly on 1) thermal engineering that is
using thermodynamics principles in line with energy conservation and conversion, 2) design of
components for equipment and devices and 3) manufacturing of these components with the
use of special tools, machine, fixtures and machining process.
B. Modern areas of research - Aside from the things mentioned in A, many things had happened
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in the last few years these are: 1) Reducing emissions and pollution. For example is the
internal combustion engines wherein research activities have been going on to design
and produce more efficient engines which consume less fuel per kilometer run and emit
less carbon gasses to the atmosphere. There are also initiatives to look for alternative
fuels which are much environmentally better than hydrocarbons.
In line also with reducing emissions and pollution, researchers are also looking at
chemical kinetics also know as reaction kinetics aspect of combution of fuel. In the
said study, they are looking at the positive effects of utilizing pure oxgen in the fuel
combustion as compared to the traditional use of ambient air, 2) Researches utilizing
capability of lasers and use of speed cameras and other devices to be able to record
real time pictures relevant for analyzing things, 3) Interdisciplinary. Lately, many things
have become interdisciplinary. If you look at an automobile today, everything is
electronically controlled which means embedding new systems in the automobile. So,
people with background in Electrical Engineering are coming into Mechanical
Engineering and vice versa.
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4. Mechatronics and nanotechnology. Mechatronics focuses on the engineering of both

electrical and mechanical systems, and also includes a combination of robotics,
electronics, computer, telecommunications, systems, control, and product engineering.
Nanotechnology on the otherhand involves the ability to see and to control individual
atoms and molecules. These are now being used in the thermal engineering as well as
in the manufacturing to get the desired finishes, desired quality of machining and other
mechanical works.
5. New innovation in machine design. There is now new innovation in designing
dictated by technology and education. Example is the rapid manufacturing of products
caused by new technology on 3D printing. It is now being taunted that 3D printing is
transforming creativity leading to the 4th industrial revolution. Exactly what is 3D
printing? It actually uses computer aided design (CAD) to create dimensional objects
through a layering method. Sometimes referred to as additive manufacturing, 3D
printing involves layering materials, like plastics, composites or bio-materials to create
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objects that range in shape, size, rigidity and color. So, it is also known as additive
manufacturing, a process where a 3D printer creates three-dimensional objects by
depositing materials layer by layer in accordance to the objects's 3D digitsl model.
This is opposite way of traditionally manufacturing products which was often called
the subtractive manufacturing which removes material to create parts. Classical
example of this manufacturing process is making product parts using lathe machine.
With the additive manufacturing process, material wastes are minimized. The
availability of the product parts are made fast and and a number of supply chain
process are eliminated. Thus, the product parts cost are drastically reduced.

With the aforementioned developments in technology, mechanical engineers now

adays are facing more challenges. He needs to be updated of the technology trends
and needs to learn interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in areas of electronics and
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electrical engineering in order to integrate them in a lot of mechanical products and

systems.
The mechanical engineers must be able to constantly keep himself updated on
technology trends as well as look for inventions and innovations. Invention is the
spark of an idea that has to be nurtured and given life. The time that followed after
the spark is already considered innovation. Example: Thomas Edison - invented the
light bulb. All inventions that came after that like compact flourescent lamp (CFL), the
light emitting diode (LED) are innovations of the invention.
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II - Numerous types of studies

Just as not to be confused as to what really a project study is all about, we need to try to
look briefly into other endeavors that seems to be connected with it namely research
project, feasibility study, pilot study, scientific study and others.

1. Research project
“A research project is a scientific endeavor to answer a research question.” Specifically,
projects may take the form of “case series, case control study, cohort study,
randomized, controlled trial, survey, or secondary data analysis such as decision
analysis, cost effectiveness analysis or meta-analysis”
2. Feasibility study
A feasibility study is an analysis that takes all of a project's relevant factors into
account—including economic, technical, legal, and scheduling considerations—to
ascertain the likelihood of completing the project successfully.
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Project managers use feasibility studies to discern the pros and cons of undertaking a
project before they invest a lot of time and money into it.
3. Pilot study
A pilot study is a small feasibility study designed to test various aspects of the methods
planned for a larger, more rigorous, or confirmatory investigation. The primary purpose
of a pilot study is not to answer specific research questions but to prevent researchers
from launching a large-scale study without adequate knowledge of the methods
proposed; in essence, a pilot study is conducted to prevent the occurrence of a fatal
flaw in a study that is costly in time and money
4. Scientific study
Scientific study may refer to: Scientific method, a body of techniques for investigating
phenomena, based on empirical or measurable evidence that is subject to the principles
of logic and reasoning.
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If you will notice, all those mentioned endeavors lead to one common intention that is to
gather or obtain information so as to establish knowledge or facts. Each one of them when
look as a task can be considered actually as a project

III - Intro on project

What is a project? It is a task of considerable magnitude that must be completed within

budget and by a specific time; it is usually, but not always, carried out but once. Examples
include building a new power plant; introducing a new product; installing a computer
system; designing, manufacturing a new missile system; and preparing a major
presentation.

Each example shares certain characteristics that distinquish them from ongoing activities
management. Each of these projects has a specific start and finish. Some of the activities
can be carried out independently of others, and some can only begin on completion of
other activities. And each activity in the project requires a specific time expenditure.
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These project characteristics allow a project plan to focus on scheduling all activities
that must be completed. The plan can be used to control project progress, and it forms the
basis of communication with superiors about the project's continued success.

Clear scheduling is a key element of successful project management. The Program

Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is the most widely known scheduling technique
in use. It was developed by the US Navy as a planning tool for the Polaris missile project.
The Polaris project began in 1957 and became operational in 1961. PERT offered several
advantages:
• The activities critical to the project success were more easily identified.
• Numerous activities were scheduled and monitored.
• The uncertain time frames to complete specific activities could be defined and
planned for.
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Current thinking about project study and management provides a comprehensive process
by dividing projects into three distinct phases: definition, planning and implementation.

Definition Phase - clarifying the project's goal; specifying the resources needed.

Planning Phase - sequencing the scheduling the project; assigning responsibility for
completing all its activities.

Implementation Phase - undertaking the project; modifying the plan as needed; evaluating
its success

Throughout each phase the project group or team uses a systematic process known as
Project Management or study discussion to discuss various aspects of the project.

This comprehensive process builds on the expertise of the project group or team by
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providing a pratical tool for project completion. Using this process also increases the
team or group members's commitment to the project. This is the best approach for
managing technical and people issues that must be resolved for success.

Consider the projects that have been undertaken in your organization or in your school.
Think of a successful project and one that did not meet expectations. In the late 1960's
and early 1970's, the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) in the United
States sponsored a study of 650 projects. Key factors that led to unsuccessful projects
include:
• Starting without a clearly defined need
• Selecting the wrong project manager
• lack of upper superior or management support
• Inadequately defined tasks
• Ineffective use of a project management process
• Reluctance to end the project
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The same study identified 10 characteristics of successful projects:

• The project group or team's commitment
• Accurate initial cost estimates
• Project's team or group's capabilities (knowledge and skills)
• Funding availability throughout project duration
• Effectiveness of planning and control techniques
• Minimal amount of start-up difficulty
• Task versus social orientation of the project group or team
• Absence of bureaucratic organization and controls
• Project manager or leader on-site or close to the project
• Clearly established criteria for success
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Reference/s
Kepner Tregoe - Project Management