Metallurgical engineering is problem solving or development of products using the engineering disciplines of materials science and metallurgy. If metallurgy is the development and production of metallic components, then a simple explanation of metallurgical engineering is optimizing the metallic elements and compounds for a specific function.
Metallic compounds can be found in jewelry, vehicles and many items we use in our everyday life. The marketability of each product requires it's slight change in metallurgical properties in order to be utilized in a manner consistent with the item required. Advances in metallurgical engineering over the past 100 years has brought to our market steel engine parts, durable building materials, bridges, high temperature withstanding steels, aircrafts light in weight yet strong and durable. We also see jewelry, a necklace or tube of toothpaste and must compare the wide ranging properties of metals to create such a wide market of products.
Common metals that are studied and experimented with in metallurgical engineering are aluminum, copper, nickel and titanium. Mixing these metallic elements with other metallic compounds create alloys, each which have distinct characteristics. Often, engineers call upon metallurgical engineers to develop or find a specific alloy that will satisfy a list of design criteria that needs to be met for a component.
Cost, strength, hardness, fatigue resistance and weight for sure, and many more. Alloys are also researched and developed with high temperature performance in mind where the alloys need to withstand heat, such as in motors and jets engines.
Tribology
The science of specific mechanisms is knows as Tribology, which is about moving parts that touch and rub against each other. Friction and wear are problems that these mechanisms experience and that metallurgical engineers attempt to eliminate. Heat and wear analysis will show failure points. Tribology covers research into protective materials and lubrications to curb wear in moving parts and particularly items such as bearing.
Leonardo da Vinci began studying tribology (although the term was not coined until recently) and specified the laws of friction in the 14th century. He observed that weight and distance are proportionate to friction generated. The first tests of tribology were carried out in the late 1700's and shed light on the wear rates of gold coins.
Tribologists and other scientists spend much time researching the relationships in metallurgical engineering and failure analysis. The study of wear of moving parts is the primal definition of tribology.
Automobiles and both commercial and military aircraft are the largest markets today for metallurgical engineering. These forms of transportation need to be safe and reliable. As they get older the parts experience compromised integrity and do not perform reliably.
Studying tribology when designing engine components, railroad systems, waterway lock-gates or roller bearings is critical in aiding the metallurgical engineers and other teammates in choosing the optimal configuration and material for the parts.
Engineering Consultant
In any engineering business, whether designing a new concept or producing and improving an already established product, there is an infinite number of related disciplines that need to work together as a team. Sometimes small businesses do not staff for each engineering field that is needed for a project and rely on an engineering consultant, as a certified expert in that needed field.
Huge corporations often fall into the same niche when expanding their business. When moving into new markets these large corporations will employ engineering consultant in order to research their product line, market and price requirements for their new products, as well as materials to be used to make a good product, that will stand up to what the public will use it for. Consultants can usually aid in assembly techniques and processes as well.
Often a different engineering consultant will be drafted for the different topics or projects involved in the business expansion. Sometimes one individual or a firm will be hired on to coordinate an entire transition.
Engineering consultants are simply specialists in a specific area of engineering or a particular type of problem solving situation. Companies and businesses of all sizes and types can utilize engineering consultants to either outsource work or to gain an extensive amount of expertise in a precise scope of work.
Some consultant are specific to certain industries, aerospace comes to mind, as well as automotive. In cases such as this it is often beneficial to find an engineering consultant with specializes in your exact market or field. The added targeted experience will be sure to provide you with more targeted and positive results. They will work with your team and together find the exact solutions to the problems and issues that will arise over time, and during the initial setup and transition phases.
No comments:
Post a Comment