Dear readers, you made some interesting comments about Changes in the Engineering Profession Over 80 Years, a recent article in Machine Design magazine. For instance, Chief Engineer at Daxon Engineering Matthew Lowe says:

"Many years ago, before CAD became commonplace, the engineering process began with engineers developing the products, starting at the system level, with heavy use of models and calculations based on engineering fundamentals to guide the design. It was only much later in the process when 'draftsmen' became involved to render the product so it could be manufactured. Today, most product is created in 3D CAD and this geometry is used to simulate product performance with FEA and CFD. The design is iterated until management is happy. Final drawings are created off of the CAD model (a real time saver).

CAD and other modeling and simulations tools such as FEA have allowed more rapid and robust performance simulation, but the iterative process lets designs be based on created geometry, rather than sound, engineering-based design concepts. There is a significant rush to start modeling too early and often by those without the specific expertise in the product function.

CAD shouldn't be abandoned, but conceptual development should take place before significant solid-modeling resources are committed to the design. It's a great shame that many engineering organizations believe it acceptable to replace engineering fundamentals and systems expertise with an iterative approach. We have moved from engineer-develop-design (drawings)-build-test-produce to render-simulate-iterate-design (draw)-build-test-produce. In many cases, the simulate-iterate approach is the engineering process. It is not.

Let's not get lazy with engineering just because we can make good looking designs in CAD early and can quickly make colorful stress plots in FEA. I'd like to see a marriage of the traditional approach that harnesses the best of engineering expertise and the use of engineering fundamentals with the power of the tools we have at our disposal."

Questions? Comments? Send them in, and we might publish them here!

Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo –
May 14

• Power-efficient drive techniques for lighting
• ROI for high-efficiency capital equipment
• Energy monitoring and energy standards
• Designing for SEMI S23 and the Energy Act of 2007
• Working with alternative power and battery technology

Machine Design Video Spotlight

	Membrane Switches for Harsh Environments
	Joseph Schwartz from The Bergquist Co. shows Lee Teschler of Machine Design magazine the advantages of heat-sealed membrane switches over pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) membrane switches in harsh environments.

Call out for Questions!

3M industrial Adhesives will be interviewing Jack Roush, Co-Owner Roush Fenway Racing and Chris Andrews, Head Engineer Roush Fenway Racing on May 15, 2009. Do you have an engineering question you’d like to ask them? Submit it here. Visit 3M.com/vhb mid June to see the interview.

Check Out the New Machinedesign.com

UPCOMING WEBCASTS

Understanding Key Power Transmission Technologies:
Comparing Belt, Chain & Gear Drives for OEM Projects
Sponsored by Rexnord
DATE: May 28th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT

OEM design teams are under pressure to juggle technologies with specifications with the outcome always being a great new or improved product. Many of these projects have Power Transmission components at their core and the wrong technology can really hurt the end product.
Dennis Missun and Nick Derus from Rexnord have gathered information about the critical issues that need to be considered when deciding between belt, chain and gear drive technologies for applications requiring 5 lbs – 100 lbs of force.

The course will cover

• Torque Density: comparing key rating systems AGMA & ISO
• Application considerations: impact of thermals, friction and vibration
• Basics of sizing & selection: information to right-size components
• Other Project/End Customer Considerations
• Live question/answer session with presenters

ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING

― A 90-day license of SolidWorks Student Design Kit software for non-commercial use, with tutorials and documentation, along with SolidWorks eDrawings
― Hands-on test drives and other training from participating SolidWorks VARs in the U.S. or and Canada
― Access to the SolidWorks Customer Portal for support, networking, and discussion
― Free testing to become a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA), a credential that documents SolidWorks competence and distinguishes job candidates for selective employers.

The comapny plans on expanding this program to other geographical regions in coming months. For more information

First Cut
New to the prototyping field or an expert, we’ve created a white paper you shouldn’t miss, Prototyping Processes: Choosing the best process for your project.
Visit www.firstcut.com/prototypingprocesses

Free Multiphysics Presentations CD
It's here - The 2009 Edition of the COMSOL Conference CD, packed with multiphysics presentations from our recent conferences in Boston and Hannover. Included are over 400 contributed papers, slides, videos and more. Get your complimentary copy of the CD right now at: www.comsol.com.