Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers study for four to five years and the dropout rate is horrendous. Mechanical Engineering is not for the faint-hearted, or the intellectually challenged. A thorough knowledge is necessary of all the major engineering principles, such as fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanics, physics and material properties.
Mechanical engineers have a lot of responsibility – not to mention liability - when they design a safety-critical component, such as an elevator. If a mechanical device should fail, and it should be proven that the engineer who designed it was negligent, he could lose his professional status and face prosecution.
Mechanical engineers have a juggling act going, what with aesthetics, functionality, safety and durability all clamouring for his attention – let us take that elevator as an example. The elevator is made up of many separate components and forms part of a complete system, installed in a building. The box you get in is but one small part.
The mechanical engineer must select the correct materials, so the elevator will be light yet strong. There must be an ample safety factor designed-in; in fact, elevator cables are usually designed to carry five or six times as much weight as a full elevator weighs. Inside, the surfaces must be pleasing and the ambience inviting. Lighting must be considered, as well as fan-assisted ventilation. The control panel design should be ergonomically friendly and easy to use.
It should be very safe and very reliable, yet as cheap as possible, because, ideally, a company wishes to make thousands of identical elevators and sell them to all and sundry. That is what companies like Kone and Shindler do. Economies of scale reduce costs – and in the case of elevators, this is necessary, since costs cannot be shaved off safe-critical components. The regulations are just too strict. That is why it is so rare to hear of an elevator accident.
Mechanical engineering is a highly specialise field full of highly qualified people who design our elevators, cars, boats and aeroplanes. The job is demanding, but also extremely satisfying.