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 June 13, 2012

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

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

Mechanical Engineering – Underlying Sciences Mathematics Physics Chemistry

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 5

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

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

Mechanical Engineering Elective Specialties Machine Design Controls Aerodynamics Turbomachines/Engines HVAC-Building Systems Energy/Power Production Industrial/Manufacturing

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

Design Projects

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

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

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

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

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

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 16

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 17

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

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

Mechanical Engineering at SDSU Questions?