if i have a steel sheet, 1 meter long, 1 meter wide, 1 inch thick, 1 end is movable, the other end is not movable, then i move 1 end in an arc, is the moment arm equal to 1 meter, which is length of sheet, and force equal to weight of sheet? Torque equals force times moment arm.

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.

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

I'm not really looking for travel jobs, but more jobs where I get to stay in a region for a few months to a year, then get to move somewhere else in the country, but I'm not sure if those type of jobs exist apart from just being remote which is not what I want. I'm looking in the US.

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

Starting with SAP mm is that worth it

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'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?

I currently work as a reliability engineer in Australia, within the mining industry. My company is fairly generous with trainings, and allows us to complete so long as we outline it on our development plan. I’m still quite young, having been in the work force for ~3.5 years.

So far I have done the following, which has been valuable:
* RCM, FMEA
* RCA training
* Reliability modelling
* Reliability Fundamentals
* Agile training
* PowerBI training

I plan to complete the following later this year:
* Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

What are other trainings or short courses that you have found valuable? Would be interested in broader Asset Management training, progressing and obtaining LSS Black Belt, or developing more technical understanding ie vibration and oil analysis, or doing some CAD training etc.

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?

I just came across the new SOLIDWORKS Scavenger Hunt, and the idea actually looks pretty interesting.

From what I understand, each challenge starts with a cryptic clue, then you explore a SOLIDWORKS model to uncover a hidden question. The answers build up over time and eventually unlock the final challenge.

I'm planning to give the first one a try this week.

Has anyone here already started it? What did you think of the format? (No spoilers please!)

#solidworkschampions #solidworks #3dxw27 #3dxw27scavhunt

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!

I'm looking for people who talk about mechanical engineering problems bc I need people to consult about my new software. So who would you ask if you build a step to production plan AI?

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

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.

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?

Is application engineer as a first job after university a good career path to pursue? Will it limit my options in the future? I would like to eventually do something that is project engineering/project management down the line.

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?

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!

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?

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?