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The Gains of Studying Mechanical Engineering

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 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016

The Gains of Studying Mechanical Engineering

Ekong. Godwin 1.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU)

Email: goddy3e@yahoo.com

Abstract
This paper presents the Gains of studying Mechanical engineering. Mechanical Engineering
is the discipline that applies the principles of engineering, physics, and material science for
the research, design, analysis, manufacturing, testing, and maintenance of mechanical
equipment and systems. It is that branch of engineering that involves the design, production,
and operation of machinery. The mechanical engineer’s first mission is to improve the living
standard of mankind through good mechanical engineering products and services with high
professional ethics and standards. The methods employed in Mechanical education training
include lectures, research, and practical application of concepts through the design, analysis,
manufacture, assemble, test, operation, and maintenance of mechanical equipment and
systems. These equipment and systems are always exhibited after invention to showcase their
innovation as such mechanical engineers should always be involved in the engineering
technology exhibition Assessment is carried out after the programme through the testing of
the knowledge based on a combination of unseen written examinations, assessed coursework
in the form of laboratory write-ups, assignments, tests, project reports, submitted worksheet
solutions, presentations, design projects, and a dissertation. By studying mechanical
engineering, one is better equipped for life after school. The prospects after completion of the
mechanical engineering programme include employment in oil industries, universities,
production and manufacturing companies, private firms, and government ministries such as
works, housing, and petroleum among others. A successful mechanical engineering student
can also choose to be an entrepreneur by creating jobs through the design of mechanical
devices and services in building among others.

Keywords: Mechanical, Engineering, Research, Design, Manufacturing, operation and

systems.

1. Introduction employ materials in structures, machines,

Engineering is the discipline and
profession of applying technical and
scientific knowledge and utilizing natural
laws and physical resources to design and
devices, systems, and processes that safely
realize a desired objective and meet
specified criteria [1]. The basic aim of
engineering practice is to utilise the
resources within the physical environment
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016
to improve the living standard of mankind.
Engineering activities are vital to the
welfare of man by providing food, shelter,
transportation, communication, and other
comforts. Engineers use their knowledge
of science, mathematics, and appropriate
experience to find suitable solutions to a
problem. Some of the branches of
engineering include but are not limited to
mechanical, civil, electrical/electronic,
agricultural, marine, chemical, and
petroleum engineering among others.
2. Review of Mechanical
Engineering
Mechanical engineering is the discipline
that applies engineering, physics,
chemistry, mathematics, and material
science principles to research, design,
analyze, manufacture, assemble, test,
operate, and maintain mechanical
equipment and systems [2]. It remains the
best, oldest, and broadest of all
engineering disciplines. This is the branch
of engineering concerned with the
generation, transmission, and utilisation of
heat and mechanical power, and with the
production and operation of tools,
machinery, and their products according to
the Council for the Regulation of
Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) [4].
Some of the areas of specialization are
Thermo-Fluid dynamics, Production,
Turbomachinery, Design, and Solid
Mechanics among others. The core areas
are mechanics, dynamics,
thermodynamics, material science,
structural analysis, heat transfer,
Turbomachinery, and among others.
Mechanical Engineering overlaps with
other engineering disciplines such as
Aerospace, Automotive, Naval
architecture, Agric, Civil, Electrical, and
Chemical Engineering. It emerged as a
specific field during the Industrial
Revolution in Europe in the 18th century,
however, its development can be traced
back several thousand years around the
world such as in ancient Greece, the works
of Archimedes (287 -212 BC) that
influenced mechanics in the Western
tradition and Heron of Alexandria (c. 10 -
70 AD) [2] and [3]. During the early 19th
century Industrial Revolution, machine
tools were developed in England,
Germany, and Scotland. The first British
professional society was formed in 1847 as
the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
[3]. This branch of engineering deals with
anything that moves, from components to
machines to the human body.
2.1 A Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineers are engineers who
research, design, analyze, manufacture,
assemble, test, operate, and maintain
mechanical equipment and systems. Is a
person who has attained an academic
standard of education in mechanical
engineering science and holds a degree,
following courses of study in an approved
programme of a University or any
recognized Institution. In Nigeria, a
minimum of four (4) years of post-
graduate on-the-job training to acquire
relevant work experience is required
before registration and after passing the
prescribed professional interview by NSE
and COREN [4]. The most famous
mechanical engineer is a Scottish
Engineer, James Watt 1736 – 1819, born
in Greenock, Scotland on 19th January
1736 and died on 25th August 1819 [5]; he
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016
invented the first Steam Engine in 1764. engineering project, system, or service,
Mechanical engineers work mostly in starts from the conception, design,
engineering services, research and implementation, and development of the
development, manufacturing industries, ideas. Mechanical engineering started
and government parastatals. Others may be from creation, when God said let the be
employed in general-purpose machinery light God was talking about the sun and
manufacturing, automotive parts moon, as we can see the role of solar
manufacturing, management of the energy today in power generation. The
operation of technical companies, and first and most important breakthrough of
research and testing laboratories. The mechanical engineering started with James
industrialization of engineering practice watt invention of the Steam engine in
has led to mechanical engineers being 1764, to the Textile machinist of the
employed practically anywhere, where Industrial Revolution, to the Rapid
innovation takes place such as aerospace, development of the British machine-tool
automotive, chemical, construction, industry, to the present Rolls-Royce,
defense, electronics, consumer goods, General Electric (GE), Pratt and Whitney,
marine, materials and metals, Mercedes Benz, Toyota, Honda, Ford,
pharmaceuticals, and rail among others. Nissan, Peugeot, Exxon Mobil, Shell BP,
Mechanical engineers can also work in Chevron, among others of this world gave
non-engineering sectors such as finance, tremendous impetus to the study of
management, law, the military, mechanical engineering both in Britain and
government, medicine, research, technical abroad. This is Evidence in some
sales, technical consulting, technical innovative products in the AKSU
publishing/science journalism, and Mechanical Engineering laboratory such as
teaching [6]. a Venturimeter flow rig, compression
testing machine, car and accessories, and a
2.2 Development of Mechanical mechanically operated Trivision signpost.
Engineering The development of a compression testing
machine from the design concept is
The development of mechanical
presented from Figure 1 to Figure 2 and a
engineering involves advances in
Venturimeter flow rig is presented in
technology and research [7] and [8].
Figure 3.
Development of any mechanical
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
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CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016

Figure 1: The Plan and Front views Projection Design of the Compression Testing Machine
to be fabricated

Figure 2: The End view Projection Design of the Compression Testing Machine to be
fabricated
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016

Figure 2.3: The Assembly Design of the Compression Testing Machine

 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016

Figure 3: An In-house Venturimeter Flow Rig

3. Methodology transfer, theory of elasticity,

3.1 Mechanical Engineering
Courses, Academic Training and
Evaluation
This section presents the methods and
materials employed in mechanical
engineering training and evaluation. The
major courses of mechanical engineering
are fluid mechanics, theory of machines,
thermodynamics, engineering drawing,
engineering metallurgy, manufacturing
technology, workshop practice, control
systems, engineering design process,
mechanics of materials, metrology,
machine design, fluid dynamics, heat
turbomachinery, tribology, plasticity, and
mechanical engineering project. In the
Mechanical Engineering degree
programme, students are trained through
courses taken, laboratory and workshop
sessions, and industrial attachment, to
apply basic scientific principles to the
design, manufacture, operation, and
maintenance of all forms of mechanical
devices, as well as the management of
human and material resources necessary
for such activities. Assessment is carried
out after the programme through the
testing of the knowledge based on a
combination of unseen written
examinations, assessed coursework in the
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016
form of laboratory write-ups, assignments,
tests, project reports, submitted worksheet
solutions, presentations, a design project,
and a dissertation.
4. Result and Discussion
4.1 Intellectual and Practical
Skills Learn
The intellectual and practical skills, learn
at the end of the course by successful
students include the ability to analyse and
solve an engineering problem using
appropriate skills, design components,
systems and processes to meet a business
need, evaluate existing designs, processes
and products, and to make improvements,
integrate and evaluate information, apply a
good approach to engineering brief,
applying professional judgments,
considering all requirements including,
market, costs, environment, aesthetics,
safety, reliability and value, develop
creative and innovative solutions to an
engineering problem, plan, undertake and
manage engineering projects. A typical
example of the application of practical
skills and knowledge learned in the study
of mechanical engineering is presented in
the works by [9] and [10].
The practical skills, learned will include
but are not limited to performing
experiments in a laboratory safely, using
laboratory equipment to generate data,
analyse experimental results and
determining their validity, using workshop
machine tools safely, using computational
tools and packages, producing technical
drawings, write technical reports, give
technical presentations and use scientific
literature effectively. Mechanical
engineers will also learn other new ways
of solving problems. This involves
creativity techniques techniques include,
but are not limited to Teoriya Resheniya
Izobretatelskikh Zadatch (TRIZ),
structured and unstructured brainstorming,
lateral thinking, and 40 inventive
principles [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16],
[17] and [18].
4.2 Knowledge Gain and
Prospects
The knowledge gained at the end of the
mechanical engineering programme in a
university, by a successful student includes
the knowledge of and ability to apply the
mathematics and physics required by a
mechanical engineer, a detailed knowledge
of and ability to apply the essential facts,
concepts, principles and theories needed
by a mechanical engineer. Other basic
levels of knowledge of, and ability to
apply, the concepts, principles, and
theories of electrical engineering,
electronics, control, and information
technology (IT), as likely to be required by
a mechanical engineer, a knowledge and
understanding of business and
management techniques and health and
safety matters as might be required by an
engineer taking a leading role in the
industry, a knowledge and understanding
of the role of engineers in society and the
professional and ethical responsibilities of
engineers.
The prospects after completion of the
mechanical engineering programme
include employment in oil industries,
universities, production and manufacturing
companies, private firms, and government
ministries such as works, housing, and
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016
petroleum among others. A successful
mechanical engineering student can also
choose to be an entrepreneur by creating
jobs through the design of mechanical
devices and services in buildings among
others [19]. It is also important to be
registered in mechanical engineering
professional bodies such as the Nigerian
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
(NIMechE), the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
(IMechE), United Kingdom, among others.
5. Conclusion
In this work, the gains of studying
mechanical engineering were investigated.
By studying mechanical engineering, you
are better equipped for life after school and
mechanical engineering remains the best in
the engineering profession. Mechanical
equipment is exhibited after invention to
showcase their innovation as such
mechanical engineers should always be
involved in the engineering technology
exhibition, by so doing, they will gain
more knowledge and understanding of the
role of engineers in society, and the
professional and ethical responsibilities of
engineers. Engineers will be able to
analyse and solve more engineering
problems using appropriate skills, analyse
experimental results, and determine their
validity. Research and training will
increase our capacity in the knowledge in
use scientific literature effectively and our
ability to apply the essential facts,
concepts, principles, and theories needed
by an engineer to develop creative and
innovative solutions to an engineering
problem. Thus being able to plan,
undertake, and manage engineering
projects. Mechanical engineers should not
pay lip service to engineering research and
training; but should contribute to world
development through professionalism and
development. This will enhance
knowledge and add value to global
development, leading to the display of
innovative and creative engineering items
and products.
References
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Accessed 2 December, 2017
[2]. “Mechanical engineering” Wikipedia
online. Accessed 2 December, 2017
[3]. “Heron of Alexendra” Encyclopaedia
Britannica 2010 online. Accessed 2
December, 2017
[4]. “Mechanical engineering” COREN
Benchmark. Accessed 2 December, 2017
[5].https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James
Watt
[6]. “Industrialization” Wikipedia online.
Accessed 1 December, 2017
[7]. “Technology” Wikipedia online.
Accessed 1 December, 2017
[8]. “Research” Wikipedia online.
Accessed 1 December, 2017
[9]. Ekong, Godwin I, Ibibom, E. N. &
Bassey, I. U. "Performance Analysis of a
Single-acting Reciprocating Compressor
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International Journal of Engineering
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[10]. Ekong, Godwin I., Long, C. A.,
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 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTION OF
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS (NIMechE) AKWA IBOM STATE
CHAPTER, INUAGURATION OF AKWA IBOM STATE UNIVERSITY,
(AKSU) UNIT 2016
Concept in Gas Turbine H.P. [17]. Ekong, G.I. “The application of Ideal
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[14]. Ekong, Godwin I., Long, C. A.,

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[15] Ekong, G.I. “The application of 40

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