Engineering Team and Functions

Engineering Team and Functions Dr. Chuck Lockert Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology

Objectives • Identify Engineering Team members • Explore a variety of Engineering Disciplines • Discuss characteristics of an engineer • Identify responsibilities of a professional engineer

Engineering Is • Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. • Engineering is the application of math and science to create something of value from natural resources.

Engineers Do • Note: Engineers generally don’t conduct science. Science is about discovering the natural, while engineering is creating the artificial. • Theodore Van Karman quote, “Scientists discover the world that exists, engineers create the world that never was.”

ABET • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology - ABET • An agency that maintains engineering standards for the United States of America. • An Engineering or TechnologyTeam • Usually several different disciplines are represented on the team • Members must have a minimum knowledge of what other members of the team do

Engineering Team Members • Scientist • Engineer • Technologist or Technician • Skilled Tradespersons or Craftsperson

The Scientist • Scientist prime objective is increased knowledge of nature. They conduct research in a systematic way referred to as the ‘scientific method’.

The Scientific Method • Formulate a ‘hypothesis’ to explain a natural phenomenon. • Conceive and execute ‘experiments’ to test the hypothesis. • ‘Analyze’ test results and state conclusions • Form new ‘law or theory’ if results agree with hypothesis otherwise modify hypothesis. • ‘Publish’ the new knowledge

The Engineer • The engineer is interested in developing solutions to problems and the development of devices, processes, structures, and systems. • Both the scientist and the engineer use math and science knowledge. • The scientist seeks to Know, while the engineer aims to Do.

Engineering Design Process • The process is similar to the scientific method with respect to a step-by-step routine, but it differs in objectives and end results. • The design process may be shown with various number of steps depending on the reference you are reading. • Generally, the following activities must be completed in the design process.

Engineering Design Process • Define the problem to be solved • Acquire and assemble pertinent data • Identify solution constraints and criteria • Develop alternative solutions • Select a solution based on analysis of alternatives • Communicate or implement the results.

Math Problem-Solving Process • Notice the similarity with the math solving process. • Look at what you are trying to do. • Gather what you need to solve it. • Determine the best approach. Evaluate the solution.

Review Questions • Which of the following in not normally a member of the engineering team? • A: Engineer B: Technician • C: Tradesperson D: Apprentice • The engineering design process is dissimilar to the scientific method. T/F • It is not necessary to know what the other team members are doing. T/F

Technologist and Technician • Much of the actual work of converting scientific ideas and engineer’s designs into tangible results is performed by the technologist and technicians. • A technologist generally has a bachelor’s degree and the technician will have a associates degree. • Common jobs include drafting, estimating, model building, data recording, troubleshooting, servicing, and specification.

Skilled Tradesperson • The members have the skills necessary to produce the parts specified by the scientist, engineer, technologist, and technicians. • They don’t need the in-depth scientific knowledge and engineering skills in design. • Positions include welder, machinist, electrician, carpenter, plumber, and mason.

Engineering Functions • Upon graduation, the engineer will be assigned to a functional team performing in specific area such as research, design, management or sales. • In a small company, you may be involved in more than one function. You may ‘do’ both design and testing for example.

Primary Engineering Functions • Research • Development • Design • Production and Testing • Construction • Operations • Sales • Management • Consulting • Teaching

Primary Engineering Functions • Research Engineer- the key qualities of a research engineer are perceptiveness, patience, and self-confidence. • Most students interested in research will pursue the master’s and doctor’s degrees in order to develop the intellectual abilities and necessary research skills.

Primary Engineering Functions • Development engineer- the development engineer attempts to produce a functional device, structure, or process. • Building and testing scale or pilot models is the primary means by which the development engineer evaluates new ideas.

Primary Engineering Functions • Design Engineer- the design engineer converts the development engineers concept or model into full scale device, process, or structure. • The designer evaluates many design options, keeping in mind the cost of manufacture, ease of production, availability of materials, and performance requirements.

Primary Engineering Functions • Production Engineer- Once research, development, and design have created a device; they are responsible for gearing up for mass production. • Prod Eng will order raw materials, set up the assembly lines, and handle shipping the finished product.

Primary Engineering Functions • Construction Engineer- in the building industry is the same as the production engineer in manufacturing. • The construction engineer estimates material, labor, and overhead costs for a building. • If the bid is successful, the construction engineer many either coordinate all of the project or on big projects only individual segments such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and civil.

Primary Engineering Functions • Operations Engineer- The operations engineer is responsible for supplying all the facilities for plant such as offices, labs, production floors. • Once the plant is operational, the plant engineer is responsible for maintenance and modifications as requirements and growth demand.

Primary Engineering Functions • Sales Engineers- Sales engineers are responsible for finding and developing a market for a product. • They are the liaison between the company and consumer, a very important part of influencing a company’s reputation.

Primary Engineering Functions • Management- Managers principal functions is to use facilities to produce an economically feasible product. • They often make decisions affecting thousands of people and millions of dollars over the years. • Typically business degrees in management before, but now with the increase in technology and complexity of manufacture; more and more engineers are filling management positions.

Primary Engineering Functions • Consulting Engineer- is someone interested in self-employment. • Consulting engineers operate alone or in partnerships to provide specialized help to clients who request it. • Consulting engineers must posses a professional engineer’s license before beginning practice.

Primary Engineering Functions • Teaching Engineer- are interested in helping others become engineers and must be able to communicate abstract principles and experiences in a manner students can understand and appreciate. • Emphasis in classrooms today is empowering the students by taking charge of their own education.

Let’s Review, again! Who are the members of the technology team? Scientist Engineer Technologist or Technician Skilled Tradesperson

Let’s Review, again! What is the Engineering Design Process Define the problem to be solved Acquire and assemble pertinent data Identify solution constraints and criteria Develop alternative solutions Select a solution based on analysis of alternatives Communicate or implement the results

Engineering Team and Functions