Getting to Know the Next Generation of Mechanical Engineering
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games showed the world a stunning reproduction of Britain's industrial revolution and the country's transformation from a once "green and pleasant land" to an industrial force of the digital age. The brilliant display showcased the technological, socioeconomic, and cultural changes that ushered in the contemporary era.
The modern industry has undergone several iterations since then, with steam-powered locomotives giving way to the internal combustion engine and now to electric vehicles. And now the world is in the process of ushering in the greatest period of technological advancement known to man.
The rise of the internet and telecommunication industry in the 1990s revolutionized the way people, businesses, and countries connected and shared information. It also resulted in rapid shifts in the manufacturing industry, giving rise to production automation using memory-programmable controls.
Since the technological advancements of the last century have been a wonder to behold, they pale in comparison to what lies ahead.
Industry 4.0 and the Factory of the Future
Mechanical Engineering is the oldest and broadest of all engineering disciplines. It overlaps with various areas of industry, from building and construction to energy and industrial engineering. The wonders of mechanical engineering are vast, ranging from spacecraft, hybrid motorbikes, nano engines, robots to Bagger 288 (the world's largest land vehicle, tipping the scales at 12,840 tons).
There's no doubt that this field of engineering has shaped the modern world. As Industry 4.0 takes hold, core mechanical engineering principles, such as thermodynamics, mechatronics, and machine design, will continue to revolutionize industry alongside emerging disciplines such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biomechatronics.
Industry 4.0 is seeing the rise of Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) taking control over the physical aspects of the industry. The same way Industry 3.0 brought about mechanization is how the latest iteration of the Industrial Revolution will bring about the digitization of industry operations. The future will involve cyber-physical systems linking real objects to the virtual world through software, sensors, and machines.
At this moment, industrial digitalization is evolving at a pace and scope never before experienced in the history of manufacturing. It's a time of massive, rapid, and disruptive technological innovation that will merge manufacturing and information technology.
So, where do mechanical engineers fit in? The short answer is everywhere.
A Look at the Future of Mechanical Engineering
Industry 4.0 is about merging the virtual and physical worlds. Still, the role of the engineer remains the same: to provide technological solutions to societal problems. The wicked problems of the 21st century include climate change, poverty, and world hunger. Mechanical engineers have a pivotal role to play in the journey towards a more sustainable world.
The principles of industry 4.0 are changing every aspect of design and manufacturing.
Interoperability allows for real-time feedback, which decreases the design-production-feedback loop for faster, more efficient production times.
Information clarity enriches digital plant models with smart data reducing inefficiencies in production and assembly lines.
Technical assistance allows engineers to design products and production processes alongside machine learning manufacturing algorithms.
Self-organizing factories that will see machines make decisions on their own to make improvements and perform tasks autonomously.
The next generation of mechanical engineering is going to look a little different. Domains such as product design and development as well as manufacturing and energy will benefit a great deal from big data and IoT.
Here are some of the evolutions taking place in mechanical engineering.
1. The shift from mechanical systems to data-driven tools will increase accuracy and efficiency in product development.
Currently, many product iterations are carried out in CAD/CAM software. IoT-driven intelligent devices will reduce the need for constant prototyping and significantly reduce defects along production and assembly lines. Mechanical engineers will be able to identify and solve design problems or defects and make improvements faster and more efficiently. This means the new age of mechanical engineering will be focused on simulations and integrated design processes.
2. Sustainability and the end of the fossil fuel age
The world can no longer afford to burn fossil fuels not without engineering measures to counter the environmental effects. As countries embrace low-carbon development in the coming years, there will undoubtedly be an increased demand for renewable energy technologies – solar, wind, and geothermal being the most popular.
The manufacturing industry has a rich history of innovating to overcome challenges. Mechanical engineers are well-positioned to aid in the transition towards net-zero manufacturing and green recovery.
3. The rise of electric vehicles
One of the biggest challenges of the modern age will be the progressive shift from combustion engines to electric-powered vehicles. For mechanical engineers, replacing internal combustion engines with cleaner, battery-powered systems brings new challenges regarding how heat moves around vehicles. Other challenges include torque losses, how materials wear, and the design of mechatronics to support new electrical systems.
From Industry 4.0 to Engineer 4.0
The future is bright for the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industries. Opportunities abound to make the world a better, more sustainable place. Engineers have always been early adopters, which will result in a future of an industry that's more efficient, productive, and flexible.