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Mechatronica knowledge a (future) necessity?

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321GO

321GO

Automotive
Jan 24, 2010
345
Here we go again... the outsourcing "delema"

Statement:
Is a decent mechatronica knowledge (programming,math skills,systems engineering) a necessity for future mechanical engineers?

Another reason for the manager NOT to outsource is that the local engineer has a broad skillset and is not restricted to (just) the mechanical knowledge.

What do you guys think? Gone off the deep end?

 
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programming easily outsourced

math skills -very easily outsourced

systems engineering - depends what you mean but real systems engineering is probably quite difficult to outsource, or at least represents the crown jewels of many manufacturers.





Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376
 
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I'm sorry to say, but all of mechanical engineering can be outsourced. However, it is not the skill set but the industry that you are in should be your focus. For me, it is military equipment, for others, maybe become a PE in HAVAC, Nano Technology near a university, bio engineering near hospitals, or anything that your industry’s jurisdiction is within the US.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
 
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Sadly, Nano Technology not so outsourcing proof. Once the boss decides they want a variably cost model it's amazing what they will at least try 'outsourcing'.

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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When I studied Structural Engineering in the early '70s - I also was intrigued with the new computer thing and took a number of courses - sort of a minor.

And I have kept up - somewhat with those skills. Always been quite helpful in ANY job I have had.
 
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A lot of managers these days, business degrees. No knowledge of technical or engineering work.
Ignorance = outsourcing = saves money = bonuses = stability.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP3.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
 
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321GO said:
Here we go again... the outsourcing "delema"

Statement:
Is a decent mechatronica knowledge (programming,math skills,systems engineering) a necessity for future mechanical engineers?
Click to expand...

I work mostly with electronics and optics people, and I have packaged a lot of electronics. I have used a wide range of the stuff I was taught in college. This includes stuctural analysis, thermodynamics, and fluids. One of my big problems is persuading electronics types that they should leave equipment cooling to me.

If we were to aggressively enhance the electronics training provided to mechanical engineering students, what would we drop?


Critter.gif
JHG
 
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Yeah, back in Blighty I heard it called 'Electro-Mechanical', I've also heard it called Mechatronics by folks from mainland Europe.

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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We call it Mechatronics in Oz, it doesn't involve building giant killer robots unfortunately so I've never paid it much attention.

What you really need to do is figure out the skills that are hard to do over the internet, but I think in technical engineering you are chasing a fairly small target. There is no doubt we can design, develop and build a car on three different continents, so the old idea of 'colocation' - a great 90s buzzword, has evaporated.




Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376
 
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One could equate navigating a career to going into battle. At the risk of terribly mixing metaphors, would you go into battle with only one arrow in your quiver? Does a good mechanic only have one wrench in his toolbox?

I went the "electro-mechanical" or "mechatronic" route without realizing it. That choice has given me a very broad skill set & knowledge base. It has allowed me to be very flexible in tubulent times. Too many times, though, having "multiple skills all in one package", I found myself being limited and kept at the "Super-Tech" position rather than moving up in the Engineering Hierarchy.

The "mechatronic" choice has been fun for the most part, but the career it provides must be aggressively managed IMHO.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
 
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"it doesn't involve building giant killer robots unfortunately "

Yeah, talk about buzz kill.
 
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Well, if you count a UCAV as a giant killer robot then...

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
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Tygerdawg, yes that is also what i'm afraid of.

Personaly I firmly believe that the broader the skillset, the better. But i'm afraid that this widening of one's skillset can quite easily backfire and turn nasty.

Others might start to see you as the company's janitor, which would simply defeat the purpose of the whole endeaver...

Would a double (technical) degree not work against one? Like in the sense "being unstable, i.e. not committed to his original degree"?

Or better to specialize in your original field and become a "specialist" ...

What do you guys think? I'm lost on this one.
 
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Just call it the right buzzword and you'll be fine.

For instance, start calling it systems engineering, and management will love you for ever more.

Yes there are differences between true systems engineering and electro-mechanical but will the PHB know that?

Posting guidelines faq731-376 (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​
 
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Well don't tell anyone but my degree included papers in subjects as diverse as soil mechanics, astronavigation, 3 phase transformer design and steam turbines.

Nobody calls me the janitor! Mind you there are some unmarked graves out the back.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376
 
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