Mechanical engineers invented the technologies of efficient air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These systems not only keep people safe and comfortable, but also preserve food and medical supplies through refrigeration. We often don’t appreciate the importance of air conditioning until it’s gone, such as during the European heatwave in 2003, when over 10,000 people died due to extreme temperatures.
Mechanical engineers apply principles of heat transfer and energy conversion to design refrigeration systems that maintain and store food from its source to the household. Early refrigeration systems, dating back to the 1880s, were primarily used in commercial industries but required significant maintenance and posed safety risks. The invention of Freon in 1930 marked a turning point for the commercialization of safe residential refrigeration and air conditioning. Today, environmentally friendly alternatives to Freon are used to protect the Earth’s ozone layer.
The next revolution in this field is computer-aided technology. Computer-aided engineering (CAE) refers to a range of automation technologies in mechanical engineering, including using computers for calculations, technical drawings, performance simulations, and machine tool control.
In recent years, computing and information technologies have transformed mechanical engineering practices. Engineers now have access to advanced computer-aided design and analysis software, databases, and computer-controlled prototyping equipment. In some industries, these CAE technologies have replaced traditional paper-based design and analysis methods. Large multinational companies use global design teams and technical information, with computer networks enabling continuous product development.
The Boeing 777, for instance, was the first commercial airliner developed through a paperless computer-aided design process. The project required building a new computer infrastructure for design engineers, and traditional drafting methods were largely eliminated. The integration of computer-aided design, analysis, and production activities across multiple design teams in different time zones facilitated the development of the complex aircraft. By using CAE tools to test component fits in a virtual environment, the airplane was brought to market more quickly and cost-effectively.
Current CAE tools are being developed for diverse computing platforms, including mobile devices, cloud computing technologies, and virtual machines, further advancing the field of mechanical engineering.
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