Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering turns energy into power and motion. Mechanical Engineers design, create and improve systems and machinery that is used for domestic, public and industrial purposes.
This area covers the design and manufacture of a great variety of products such as domestic appliances, industrial machinery, ships, aircraft, engines, pumps, compressors, and turbines or complex systems such as the air-conditioning and ventilation systems of buildings. The mechanical area interlinks closely with other areas of engineering and applies knowledge of materials, energy, and structures.
Mechanical Engineers often work for industry designing systems and machinery that generate power, make products, move things and help in building. They may also work in chemical processing, power generation, the automotive industry, manufacturing, building services, the aeronautical industry, defense technology, food processing, and public utilities.
Demand for mechanical Engineers depends on activity in the manufacturing and construction industries. Many graduates cross over into the field of Industrial Engineering and building services.
Manufacturing Systems Engineering is concerned with the processes and systems that are used in industry. Systems and equipment that complete tasks accurately and change raw materials into products with the smallest wastage of time, materials, and energy are designed and improved by manufacturing systems engineers.
Hydraulics is involved with the design of new and improved ways of applying fluid control so that machinery can operate smoothly and effectively with the least amount of pressure. For example, hydraulic oil pressure is used to move large cranes.
Pneumatics covers the use of air pressure to control machinery. For many industries, the air is a much safer material to use because it is clean and can be used safely in flammable areas. It is practical to use pneumatics in food processing as it is much cleaner. It is also used for safety reasons in machines that process flammable substances such as petrol and paint.
Thermodynamics deals with heat energy transfer and machinery that turns heat energy into mechanical power. Engineers in this field design, manage, and improve machinery such as boilers and gas and steam turbine generators, and facilities like cooling towers, and heating or refrigerant systems.
BE in Mechanical Engineering Quick facts
- Full-form: Bachelors of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
- Duration: 4 years
- Minimum Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, within a minimum of 60% aggregate from a recognized university.
- Admission Process: Through common entrance test or university level entrance test.
- Top BE Mechanical exams: JEE Main & JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEEE, WBJEE, SRMJEEE, MHTCET, UPSEE, etc.
- Top Universities: IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Patna, IIT Guwahati, etc.
- Average course fees: INR 35,000 – INR 1,500,000 per annum.
- Average salary package: INR 3 – INR 6 lakhs per annum.
- Job positions: Mechanical engineer, Service Engineer, Consultant, Instructional Designer, Mechanical designer.
| Course Level | Bachelors |
| Full Form | Bachelor in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering |
| Duration | 4 Year |
| Course Fee | INR 20,000-2 lakh per annum |
| Average Salary Offered | INR 5-10 lakh per annum |
| Job Positions | Mechanical engineer, Service Engineer, Consultant, Instructional Designer, Mechanical designer |
Career Opportunities in Mechanical Engineering
- Design
Mechanical Engineers draft technical drawings, manually or with the aid of computers
- Production
Mechanical Engineers supervise the manufacturing of mechanical components and machines.
- Analysis and testing
Mechanical Engineers analyze and test different types of machines and their parts to ensure that they function flawlessly.
- Installation
Mechanical Engineers install machines and mechanical parts at their client’s location.
- Maintenance
Mechanical Engineers primarily ensure that machinery is working as per specifications.
- Maintenance of Aircraft or Missiles
Mechanical Engineers with specialization in Aircraft technology, test new aerodynamic and aviation systems and maintain them.
- Structural engineering
Mechanical Engineers help create structural elements of design, for bridges & skyscrapers and also design and assess major civil projects, such as buildings, bridges, or dams, to ensure their strength and durability.
- Aesthetic Compatibility
Mechanical Engineers design machines keeping in mind the aesthetic compatibility of the design with its use.
How to Pursue a Career in Mechanical Engineering
| Stream | Graduation | After Graduation | After Post Graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Path 1 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering for 4 years | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
| Path 2 | Clear Class XII with Science Stream with Maths | Pursue B.Tech + M.Tech (Dual Degree)in Mechanical for 5 years | – | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
| Path 3 | Complete Class 10th then join Diploma in ME | Joint B.Tech -Lateral Entry in Mechanical Engineering For 3 Year | Pursue M.Tech for 2-3 years | Pursue Ph.D for 2-3 years |
Certifications for Mechanical Engineering
Certificate in CATIA
Certificate in Comsol & Material Science
Certificate in Design & Simulation
Certificate in Pro-E
Certification in Industrial Health & Safety
Certification in Non Destructive Testing
Revit MEP Certified Professional
Mechanical Engineering Entrance Exams
Undergraduate
| College | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeemain.nic.in |
| Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced) | May/June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.jeeadv.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission (BITSAT) | May | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, Logical Reasoning English | www.bitsadmission.com/bitsatmain.aspx |
| Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) | April | Mathematics/Biology Physics, Chemistry, English | www.vit.ac.in |
| University of Delhi Combined Entrance Exam (DU-CET) | June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.dtu.ac.in |
| Consortium Medical, Engineering & Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.comedk.org |
| SRM University Engineering Exam (SRMUEE) | April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.srmuniv.ac.in |
| Manipal University Online Entrance Exam (MU-OEE) | March/April | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology | www.manipal.edu |
| Indraprastha University Common EntranceTest (IPUCET) | May | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.ipu.ac.in |
| Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test (IMUCET) | June | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, | www.imu.edu.in |
Postgraduate
| Institution | Tentative Date | Important Elements | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) (Postgraduate) | Jan/Feb | All Branches of engineering | www.gate.iisc.ernet.in |
Leading Institute for Mechanical Engineering
Leading Institutes
Top Mechanical Engineering Institutes in India
| College | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology | Multiple Locations | www.iitd.ac.in |
| Birla Institute of Technology | Pilani, Mesra | www.bits-pilani.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Calicut | Calicut | www.nitc.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Silchar | Silchar | www.nits.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Surathkal | Surathkal | www.nitk.ac.in |
| National Institute of Technology, Bhopal | Bhopal | www.manit.ac.in |
| Vellore Institute of Technology | Chennai | www.vit.ac.in |
| Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad | Dhanbad | www.ism.ac.in |
| Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University (SRM) | Multiple Locations | www.srmuniv.ac.in |
| Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University | Gandhinagar | www.pdpu.ac.in |
| International Institute of Information Technology | Hyderabad | www.iiit.ac.in |
| Maharashtra Institute of Technology | Pune | www.mitpune.com |
| Madras Institute of Technology | Chennai | www.mitindia.edu |
Top Mechanical Engineering Institutes in the World
| Institution | Location | Website |
|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester | Manchester, United Kingdom | www.manchester.ac.uk |
| University of Bristol | City of Bristol, United Kingdom | www.bristol.ac.uk |
| University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | www.ed.ac.uk |
| University College London | London, United Kingdom | www.ucl.ac.uk |
| Imperial College London | London, United Kingdom | www.imperial.ac.uk |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | United States | www.web.mit.edu |
| Stanford University | United States | www.stanford.edu |
| Harvard University | United States | www.harvard.edu |
| National University of Singapore | Singapore | www.nus.edu.sg |
| California Institute of Technology | United States | www.caltech.edu |
| University of Michigan | United States | www.umich.edu |
| University of Toronto | Canada | www.utoronto.ca |
| Purdue University | United States | www.purdue.edu |
BTech Mechanical Engineering Syllabus
The subjects taught for the BTech Mechanical Engineering program are almost similar in most of the engineering colleges. The syllabus for the entire BTech Mechanical Engineering course is as follows.
| Year I | Year II |
|---|---|
| English | Applied Thermodynamics |
| Mathematics | Mathematics |
| Environmental Studies | Dynamics of Machinery |
| Electrical Technology | Manufacturing Processes |
| Introduction to Information Technology | Material Technology |
| Physics | Mechanics of Solids |
| Engineering Materials | Fluid Mechanics |
| Electronics & Instrumentation | Electrical Machines & Control |
| Engineering Mechanics | Metrology & Instrumentation |
| Workshops | Workshops |
| Chemistry | Theory of Machines |
| Engineering Graphics | Numerical & Statistical Methods |
| Modern Biology | Kinematics |
| Value Education & HR | Industrial Drafting & Machine Design |
| Practical Sessions | Practical Sessions |
| Year III | Year IV |
| Heat and Mass Transfer | Measurement & Instrumentation |
| Industrial Engineering & Management | Energy Conservation |
| Computer Aided Design (CAD) | Waste Heat Utilization |
| Control Engineering | Fracture Mechanics |
| Production Technology | Ergonomics |
| Internal Combustion Engines | Utilisation of Non-Conventional Energy |
| Advanced Solid Mechanics | Operations Research |
| Thermal Engineering | Maintenance Engineering |
| Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design | Mechanical Handling Equipment |
| Mechanical Vibration | Production & Industrial Management |
| Power Plant Engineering | Organizational Behaviour |
| Law for Engineers | Project Work |
| Practical Sessions | Summer Training |
| Workshops | Workshops |
| Mini projects | Practical Sessions |
Work Description
- Perform engineering activities in planning and designing tools, engines and other mechanically functioning equipments
- Develop, test and evaluate theoretical designs
- Discuss and solve complex problems with manufacturing departments, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers
- Monitor and commission plant and systems
- Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production or operation of product designs
- Investigate into equipment failures and recommend remedial measures
- Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating conditions, potential new applications, or necessity of modification
- Research and analyse customers designing proposals, manuals, or other data to evaluate the, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications
- Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction works
Pros & Cons of a Career in Mechanical Engineering
Pros
- Learn how to manipulate and build machines.
- Offers extensive learning and growth as it encompasses many other fields.
- Interesting to study and apply as well.
Cons
- Initial Pay Package may not be as lucrative as other fields.
- The subjects are tough to master as level of technicality is high.
- Have to remain constantly updated on newer technology.
Important FAQs regarding Mechanical Engineering
Q. Am I eligible for a career in mechanical engineering?
A. If you like to find practical solutions to problems and have the zeal to turn your ideas into reality, a career in mechanical engineering is for you.
Q. Can a Mechanical Engineer be absorbed in defence forces?
A. Yes, every armed force in India has a separate unit for taking care of its various mechanical equipment and automobiles. There is a huge demand for skilled mechanical engineers in forces, so a person with a specialization in mechanical engineering can easily be absorbed in the armed forces.
Q. How is smart manufacturing benefiting the students?
A. Students pursuing mechanical engineering will be trained in manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, systems engineering, IT, Networks and basic shop floor communications. The training will help the student to gain hands-on experience in many spheres of technology related to smart manufacturing.
Q. What are the different software used by the students of Mechanical Engineering?
A. Mechanical engineers use different types of software to design and check the performance of the equipment. Following is the list of such software:
- CATIA
- Creo Elements
- Auto Cad
- ANSYS/Abaqus/Nastran and others
Q. What are various sectors /types of industries in which mechanical engineers can be absorbed?
A. Mechanical Engineers can suitably be employed in the following sectors:
- Manufacturing industries
- Maintenance work
- Automobile manufacturing and maintenance industries
- Refrigeration industries / Air conditioning industries
Q. What are some of the top companies that hire mechanical engineers?
A. Following are some of the top companies for candidates looking a career in mechanical engineering:
- Escorts
- Tecumseh
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- BHEL, NTPC, NHPC
- JCB / Hero Honda
- Railways
- Armed Forces
- Software companies like TCS, Infosys, and L&T
- Other small scale industries
Q. What are the opportunities for students passing out with specialization?
A. As the world is at the forefront of Industry Revolution 4.0. IoT enabled technologies will give manufacturers the chance to have full visibility of operations and allow them to be responsive towards minute details related o manufacturing processes. For this, industries will require skilled employees leading to an increased number of jobs for a particular stream.
Q. I am a second-year mechanical engineering student. What are some of the things I should do for a good career in mechanical engineering?
A. It is good that you are sincere about your career as a mechanical engineer. Having enough time, you can do the following things:
- Learn CATIA or any other modelling software.
- Learn Ansys: It will help you to apply knowledge of subjects like SOM and HT.
- Do an internship to have hands-on experience in different domains.
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