Introduction to Mechanical Engineering at SDSU

1. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering at SDSU Stephen P. Gent, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering Crothers Engineering Hall 242 South Dakota State University Stephen.Gent@sdstate.edu 605-688-5337 June 13, 2012

2. What is Engineering all about? • Engineers have always been focused on efficiency and sustainability • Maximum performance with minimum resource input – • Human resources • Material/natural resources • Economic resources • Time • Minimize risk of failure

3. Mechanical Engineering • An old and very broad field of engineering • Design, manufacture and application of devices and systems of all types • Generally moving parts, but not always • Energy conversion/transfer

4. Mechanical Engineering – Underlying Sciences • Mathematics • Physics • Chemistry

5. Mechanical Engineering • Mechanical systems • Dynamic systems • Devices that perform functions • Thermal-fluid and energy systems • Converting energy from one form to another • Energy utilization and efficiency • HVAC

6. Mechanical Engineering – Professional Skills • Communication • Graphical • Oral • Written • Problem-Solving • Logical Approach • Creativity • Constraints • Teamwork!

7. Mechanical Engineering Curriculum • Engineering Sciences • Mechanics- statics, dynamics, materials (stress/strain) • Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer • Design • Machine Design • Thermal System Design • Projects – ME 240, Senior Capstone – ME 478/479

8. Mechanical EngineeringElective Specialties • Machine Design • Controls • Aerodynamics • Turbomachines/Engines • HVAC-Building Systems • Energy/Power Production • Industrial/Manufacturing

9. M.E. Labs • Measurements and Instrumentation • Thermo-Fluids • Dynamic Systems/Controls • Materials • Design Lab

10. Design Projects

11. M.E. Department Profile • Undergrad Enrollment – 300 students • Graduate Enrollment – 30 students • Faculty – 10 faculty members • Research Projects- $2.7 million/yr • Biomass Energy Conversion • Photovoltaic Materials • Fatigue Testing/Non-Destructive Evaluation of Military Components • Multi-Body Dynamic Analysis • Grain Drying Systems • Computational Fluid Dynamics

12. Extra-Curricular Activities • Professional Societies • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) • American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) • Pi Tau Sigma –Honor Society

13. M.E. Employment • Internships- opportunities are out there • Mechanical Engineering is a stable profession • 50% of recent graduates took jobs in SD • 85+% Employed in SD, MN, IA, NE • Companies from virtually every industry are looking for engineers • Average starting salary for M.E.’s is approximately $55k/yr

14. Where do SDSU ME Grads Go? • Angus-Palm Industries • Northwestern Energy • AGCO • Oceaneering • Daktronics, Inc. • 3M • Wildcat Mfg. • Pella Corp. • Vermeer Corp.

15. Honeywell Aerospace • Trail King Inc. • Poet Biorefining • Kolberg-Pioneer • Brock Grain Systems • Malloy Electric • RFA Minnesota Engineering • Horton Industries

16. General Mills • General Electric • Polaris Industries • Bobcat (Doosan) • Gehl Company (Manitou) • TSP - Architecture/Engineering/Construction • The Trane Company • West Plains Engineering • Associated Consulting Engineering, Inc. • Ulteig Engineers

17. The O'Connor Group - Including The O'Connor Co.,  G&R Controls, Balancing Professionals, Inc. • Climate Systems, Inc. • EDA Engineers • Honeywell International • Johnson Controls • Crimson Fire

18. Sioux Corporation • Adams Thermal Systems, Inc.  • Terex Utilities • CNH • Capterpillar Paving Products, MN • Masaba Mining Equipment • Xcel Energy

19. Missouri River Energy Services • Tessier's, Inc. • Roby, Quintal, & Everson • Rockwell Collins • Sebesta Blomberg Associates • Stanley Consultants

20. Mechanical Engineering at SDSU Questions?