One lesson I’ve learned throughout my engineering career is that there is no shame in asking “simple” questions.
Whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned engineer, there will always be concepts, standards, or design decisions that you don’t fully understand. If you never ask those questions, how are you supposed to learn—especially when the answer could have a direct impact on a project or your long-term development?
Early in my career, I sometimes worried that asking basic questions would make me look inexperienced. Over time, I realized the opposite was true. The engineers who grew the fastest weren’t the ones who pretended to know everything—they were the ones who were curious enough to ask.
I’d love to hear everyone else’s experience.
Did you ever struggle with asking “basic” questions?
What helped you become more comfortable speaking up?
Have you ever asked a simple question that ended up preventing a major mistake or teaching you something valuable?

TL;DR: Asking simple questions isn’t a sign of incompetence—it’s one of the fastest ways to learn, grow as an engineer, and avoid expensive mistakes. What’s your experience?

Long time lurker. You guys are the experts! Im looking for some help on a project I was given. I've searched google but can seem to find what I need. (Chain)

I work in a group of mixed discipline engineers, mostly electrical. My former lead (structural) created this design and 90% of everything mechanical our team has put out. I would confidently say he doesn't make many mistakes on this kind of stuff, but maybe...

In his model there is no chain shown or called out on the BOM.

What type of chain would go here? name or style? Google doesnt seem to help. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

We performed a ~2 week stress test on a gear pump pumping a light oil. We are unfortunately not experts on this topic but it looks like we are seeing some kind of a wear-out process in the pictures we have taken. Either lack of lubrication due to low viscosity or just cavitation. Can someone weigh in on what we are seeing in the roughed surface. The pictures show two different locations.

Like the title asks, anyone able to parse the call out for a counterbored hole? What's the counterbore diameter? Counterbore depth? Pilot hole diameter.

I read this originally as .749 for the counterbore. But that can't be true because 13/16-20UNCEEF-3B is a wider diameter (13/16)

Anyone who could break this down for me, I would be eternally grateful

Hazelnut farmer in Croatia, not a mechanical engineer. Built 4 grain-homogenization silos, each with a vertical mixing spiral (Ø500mm × 4m) hanging off a worm gearbox, 4kW motor, output shaft down, direct-coupled. First unit commissioned this month, at silo 1.

Equipment (from nameplates):

- Motor: YE2-112M-4, 4kW, 220/380V (Δ/Y), 14.9/8.6A, 1440rpm, Class F, IP55

- Gearbox: Tehnopan NMRV110, worm, i=1:40, flange 112B14, grey cast iron housing, output ~36rpm

- Mounting: vertical, output shaft down. Factory ports: two side ports at mid-housing height, one drain plug at bottom; no port on top as shipped.

At commissioning the motor was found wired delta on a 400V grid; measured ~85A/phase. Rewired to star. No-load current after rewiring: 5A.

Separately, the gearbox ran hot. First loaded run measured (IR + surface): housing 123°C, with the end opposite the motor (far worm bearing zone) at 130-140°C, sides 130-140°C, top ~100°C, motor flange 95°C, motor body 65°C.

Oil was changed: drained ~2.0L, black. Refilled with INA Epol SP 320 (mineral EP oil; per its technical datasheet: ISO VG 320, viscosity 320/23.6 mm²/s at 40/100°C, VI 93, density 0.902 g/cm³, flash point 250°C, copper corrosion 100°C/3h: 1b) to the side-port level.

Then logged four thermal runs, IR thermometer + clamp meter (TRMS), same housing measuring spot unless noted:

Test 1 — loaded (~10t corn), old oil, warm restart:

0min 81.2°C → 1min 83.5 → 2min 87.5 → 3.5min 92.5 → 5min 99.5 → 7min 106.0°C. Aborted, still rising.

0min 81.2°C → 1min 83.5 → 2min 87.5 → 3.5min 92.5 → 5min 99.5 → 7min 106.0°C. Aborted, still rising.

Test 2 — loaded (~10t corn), fresh INA SP 320, level to side port:

0min 36.0°C → steadily up to → 17.5min 108.4°C. Aborted, still rising. Slow oil weep at the side breather during the run.

Test 3 — no load, silo empty, same oil, windy/no sun:

0min 38.0°C → 10.5min 44.6°C. Bearing-end reading slightly warmer than the housing measuring spot. A second no-load check on a different (warmer, calmer) day: 5min = 38.7°C side / 44.0°C bearing; 10min = 43.0°C side / 48.2°C bearing.

Test 4 — loaded, after drilling a vent port on top of the housing and topping up oil (quantity not recorded), start with an unevenly-piled load:

Three tracked points — housing side, worm-bearing end, motor current (star, rated 8.6A):

0min: 36/38°C, 9.0A

5min: 60/65°C, 9.15A

10min: 82/91.5°C

13min: 90/101°C, 8.85A

16min: 101/107°C

17min (abort): 101/111°C, 8.8A. Housing wall directly next to the worm mesh measured 118°C at abort. The side reading had gone flat over the last two readings (101°C); the bearing-end reading was still rising (107→111°C). Current ranged 9.25→8.8A across the run, motor showed no signs of overload throughout.

Reference unit (separate machine, for comparison only, no thermal log kept): a Tramec KC90 right-angle helical-bevel gearbox (i=65, mounting B6) on my grain dryer, driven by a 1.1kW motor (1.1kW, 1400rpm, 4.52/2.60A, IE2), turning a Ø350mm spiral, output ≈21.5rpm. Per the owner (me), in service about 10 years with no reported issues — no instrumented data, just years of operation without complaint.

From the manufacturer's own catalogue for this gearbox family (Motovario VSF, 2017 edition — not the brand I actually have, mine is a different maker's unit built to the same NMRV110 frame size):

- Housing material: die-cast aluminum for sizes 025-110; grey cast iron only at 130-150. (My unit: cast iron.)

- Factory lubrication: synthetic polyglycol oil, listed as filled for life, 1.6L for size 110 regardless of mounting position; breather/level/drain plugs listed as present only on sizes 130 and 150. My unit has 3 plugs.

- An older manual from the same product line lists plugs also present at size 110, with a 2.5L mineral fill — the catalogue itself doesn't reconcile this difference.

- Efficiency: dynamic η at 1400rpm input for i=40 listed as 0.79; static η 0.48.

- Load limits: max radial load (Fr2) 12,000N; permissible axial load listed at 1/5 of radial.

- Mounting position guidance: B3 (horizontal) is described as giving less oil splash, better lubrication, less heating; V5 (my mounting) is flagged for sizes 063-150 as "check application / contact technical service" in the 1500<n1<3000rpm input-speed band.

Questions:

1. Does this temperature/time pattern look like normal worm-gearbox behavior for this duty (loaded, ~15-20min continuous run), or does it point at something specific being wrong?

2. What would you want measured next to narrow this down?

3. Is there additional data worth logging before I make any changes?

So i started this job in January of 2026 and since then i haven’t had any issues until this last month. My company works with designing and inspecting HDDs for clients. I was tasked with inspecting this one job and they kind of kept dragging me along and extended my stay week by week on short notice. Throughout the last few weeks i have been showing up late to drill sites because of the crew not getting work done till later, and not having any one supervise me (or so i thought).

Fast forward to this morning where my manager calls me and says that another inspector told on me saying that i have been arriving late, i admitted to it since they had evidence on me. He said i would be leaving the field site immediately and that i will be reporting to the office tomorrow morning.

I asked him to tell me straight up if i was being terminated tomorrow and he said “technically no” since i was doing construction inspection work for the construction department, and i am under the engineering department.

I know what i did was wrong and feel terrible, ill acknowledge my wrongdoing tomorrow and ask for a chance at regaining their trust, i am extremely nervous. How screwed am i?

P.s. i started applying to other jobs today, i feel like i really fucked with the trust in this company and think it could be a really long time for them believe in me again.

Update

I showed up to the office, joined the daily meeting (my manager was present), shortly after though i asked if he wanted to talk about what happened and he said “yeah we can figure something out later, I’ll send you some work in a bit” and that was it lmao

Its a good sign i probably wont be terminated (Atleast not today) but i learned my lesson even though its late on my part lol do not want to be in that situation again. Kinda wanted to have that conversation with him so if he doesn’t bring it up today or tomorrow, I’ll probably find some time to apologize when he’s not busy. Somewhat relieved, but i don’t think im free yet lol ill just take it a day at a time.

Update again:
After meeting with my manager and HR i got the chance to apologize and explain myself. I received a PIP with the only expectation being that i get there on time and not leave early. I asked if there was anything relating to my performance but my manager said this is only about attendance and that i have good quality work. Moral of the story dont be late lol

I have passed out my Mechanical Engineering Technician (diploma)in 2021. After that I have been into whole other kinds of jobs far away from Engineering. Now, I want to consider my myself for the engineering. What are my pathways so I can get back on track. Studies or Job search.
Any help will be appreciated. Thnks

I've seen posts from ME communities showing use of VR/AR to design parts. I've also seen some cool stuff in volumetric displays and holograms.

I'm curious if mechanical engineering is still being done on a 2D interface or if anyone has adopted tools like AR, VR, 3D displays, or something similar.

Is this stuff a gimmick? Have you actually seen anyone using VR, 3D or Volumetric displays in the manufacturing or design process?

And if not, what would an immersive 3D display even do for you?

Hi everyone,

I'm a second-year Process Engineering student, and I'm trying to learn AutoCAD Plant 3D more seriously.

I already have a solid foundation in regular AutoCAD, and I've completed a few basic plant layout and piping exercises. However, I feel like I'm just clicking buttons without really understanding how Plant 3D is used in an actual engineering workflow.

The biggest problem is that I don't know what I should study next or which learning resources are considered the "best." There seems to be a lot of scattered tutorials on YouTube, but I can't tell which ones follow industry practices.

I'm looking for recommendations on things like:

• Books or official documentation worth reading
• Complete online courses (paid or free)
• YouTube channels that teach Plant 3D from beginner to advanced
• Project-based learning resources using real industrial examples
• A learning roadmap (what topics should I master first?)

Ultimately, I'd like to become proficient enough to work on real process plant projects, not just draw piping models.

Any advice from people working in EPC companies, process design, or plant engineering would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!!

I’m currently in an associates program for CAD technology. I’ve taken courses for AutoCAD, catia, and NX.

I don’t feel like any of the projects in those courses are portfolio worthy. Is there any chance on getting a job with those surface level projects?

Hi guys,

I want to join major electronics companies like Apple and Meta. I noticed they have a lot hiring for manufacturing roles such as Manufacturing Design Engineer, Manufacturing Quality Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer, and such. I want to know how these jobs compare to each other in terms of responsibility scope, career outlook, culture, prestige, and competitiveness.

Thanks!

The marring is consistent in spacing and length and circles the entire shaft.

There was a 6004-2RK bearing on this surface. On the non-threaded side of the shaft the bearing was sandwiched between a circlip in a groove acting as a flange or seat, then a wave washer, then the bearing.

On the threaded side of the shaft, a small handwheel.

I apologize again if this isn't a great place to ask.

So i choose to make the mechanical clock cad model as my first year (going for spring powered )

I have studying now about (club tooth escapment) done making the escape whell and pallet fork with proper dimensions in cad in progress of making balance wheel

Now i am finding difficulty in learning about the clock gear train i understood the very basic concept but can't seem to progress a path to learn about how much teeth i need from barrel to the escape to match all the escape whell osscilation and all the caluction of the hr , min and sec hand

Also facing problem as all I have I just therotical knowledge, how am I supposed to learn all about my mainspring how much will it rotate the barrel , if I use guitar string for my hairspring how much beat , oscillation will I get from balance wheel, and how do I calucte all that therotically for my cad model and then prepare the gear train

I am so confused here

It is my first project which I started with no knowledge at all

plz help me to understand what I need to study and just basic reference

:- it my first post in this group and I hope not braking any rules

i’m currently heading to senior high school and i’m split between two options(for context, I go to a technical school and for the past three years I’ve been taking classes on automotive technology) do I want to become a technician and work in a dealership (which I know more about) or do I wanna put my academics to use and become an engineer specifically either mechanical or electrical but I don’t know much about engineering. I just know it’s a degree so could engineers please give me knowledge and advice on what your day-to-day life looks like and how you feel about it

Je vais intégrer une école d’ingénieur en alternance dans un grand groupe automobile. Je vais travailler sur la conception et l’optimisation des flux de production d’une nouvelle ligne industrielle.

Mon objectif à long terme est de me spécialiser en gestion de production industrielle, puis de me lancer dans le consulting auprès de grands sites de production (automobile, aéronautique, pharma, etc.).

Selon vous, quel est le potentiel financier de cette voie sur une échelle de 1 à 10 ? Et surtout, à quels niveaux de rémunération peut-on réellement prétendre après quelques années d’expérience ou en tant que consultant indépendant ?

Je suis preneur de vos retours d’expérience, notamment si certains travaillent déjà dans le Lean, l’amélioration continue, l’industrialisation ou le conseil en opérations.

Starting with SAP mm is that worth it

Basically the title. I graduated over a year ago and have been applying consistently to jobs in aerospace in the la area, Bay Area, and Seattle area. Aerospace design, test engineers, aerospace manufacturing, test technician, any position that fits my resume and experience. I have a competition win designing and prototyping low earth orbit satellites and an internship but even the jobs where I fill all the necessary requirements and almost all of the wanted ones I still almost never even get an interview. I’m getting really discouraged and wondering if I should change professions because it feels like there’s nothing out there for me at least not right now.

Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated. I haven’t completed the FE and am debating trying to start a masters program but just am not sure what to do

I am specifying a new small DC motor (6 mm dia shaft) and am wondering if there's any long-term wear differences between a D shaft and a Double D (or double flat) shaft. This motor will be turning an object against mechanical stops so there is likely going to be more wear than on an application that simply spins in free space. I would guess the double D would wear better but have no experience. Or, maybe it's not an issue at all if I specify a durable plastic material with tight tolerances for the drive coupler.

Generators / Motors - I understand the concept of temperature rise in windings, but I’m unsure about the temperature rise in a generator’s cooling system. There are two key temperatures involved: the cooling fluid’s inlet and outlet temperatures. The difference between them is the temperature rise of the coolant.
My understanding is that if this temperature difference is large, it means the cooling effect is higher, and if the temperature difference is small, the cooling is less effective.
The specification states that a minimum temperature rise of 10K is required for the cooling fluid, but the vendor's datasheet shows a coolant temperature rise of 15K. Based on this, the 15K provided by the vendor should be better than the 10K specified, Is my understanding correct?
Additionally, I’ve noticed some motor specifications that limit the cooling water outlet temperature to a value like 37°C, and also restrict the coolant temperature rise to a certain level, like 7K.

Why do the specs limit the cooling water outlet temperature, and why do they restrict the temperature rise to specific values like 7K?

I am 29 M and I have been working at a manufacturing firm for 4 years now. I worked here as a Quality Technician for the first 3 and then was moved to Junior Design Engineer.

This company currently pays me 26 CAD an hour.

I feel like I haven't been making any progress in terms of learning and also feel underpaid.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

What this company does is build racks/packaging for automotive parts so that it is easy to transport the parts.

I always wanted to work with design but after joining design it feels like I can get everything done using the past completed models which does not allow me to innovate. Since this is a packaging industry, the experience is not helpful to get me moved to another job that might get me a better pay.

I feel like I have wasted 4 years at this place, now that I am continuously applying for jobs without any calls for interview.

Please advise on how I can approach towards changing jobs or upskilling. Should I get any certifications while I am here?

Would anyone be able to look at my resume and recommend some changes? Please DM.

How can I move ahead so I can make more money while staying in this field so that I can keep working towards what I am interested in doing and also keep supporting my family.

Has anyone ever worked in a role supporting operations? How do you navigate maintaining a good relationship?

It seems like I never end up in design roles but instead end up in a role focused on O&M. But a lot of operations guys just seem to straight up hate engineers for whatever reason? Maybe jealousy, problems with authority? What's the deal?

My last job operations had to get my engineering approval for capital projects. But at my current company it seems like the power dynamic is different and I have had a few people tell me that if operations doesn't like the internal engineering team they will just contract the work out. Which by the way I think is ridiculous and I also don't care if they would rather pay 2-3 times as much to contract out work that is perfectly capable of being performed in house.

It's difficult dealing with operations managers and directors sometimes it can feel like your trying to give them engineering advice or tell them that they should do something and then they get a superiority complex and buck up and go like 'I'm the manager.' But I literally deal with almost 20 operations managers and directors and at a certain point it's just like get over yourself why don't you want to have a conversation with engineering or listen to what we have to say.

Has anyone ever had issues with ops? How do you navigate it?