Essential software to learn in Mechanical Engineering

The knowledge of different software in mechanical engineering is of great quality and can be helpful to get the required things done easily. Because software is a tool that can be used by an engineer to express the technical stuff via calculations.

Below is the important and essential software which should be learned during a bachelor course in mechanical engineering. It might possible that some well-known software might not be on the list but can be learned very easily if you know the following software which is basics.

1. AutoCAD ( A basic CAD software for design and drafting purpose)

2. Pro/Engineer ( A complete parametric 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software)

3. C Language (A programming language)

4. ANSYS ( An analysis or simulation software)

Reference books for Mechanical Engineering subjects

Subject Name: Machine Design

Books:

1. Standard Handbook of Machine Design by Joseph E. Shigley
2. Design of Machine Elements by Bhandari
3. Machine Design by R. S. Khurmi
4. Machine design: an integrated approach by Robert L. Norton
5. Theory & Problems of Machne Design By S.G Kulkarni
6. Machine Design by Sadhu Singh
7. Machine Design by Sharma & Agarwal

Subject Name: Theory of Machine

Books:

1.  Theory of Machines by S S Rattan
2.  Theory of Machines by R S Khurmi
3.  A textbook of theory of machines by  J. S. Brar and R K Bansal

Fluid Mechanics Reference Books

• Fluid Mechanics by Frank M. White
• Advanced Engineering Fluid Mechanics by K Murlidhar
• Fluid Mechanics by R. K. Bansal
• Fluid Mechanics by Yunus A. Cengel 

Heat and Mass Transfer Reference Books

Difference between 'Thermodynamics' and 'Heat Transfer'

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer both are part of thermal engineering and each one has its own meaning and importance. Both deal with heat and energy then, one might ask, what is the real difference between the two subjects? i.e. Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

"Thermodynamics" deals with the amount of energy in the form of heat or work during a process and only considers the end states in equilibrium. It will not give information about how long it will take to reach to the final state in equilibrium. While

"Heat Transfer" deals with the rate of energy transfer thus, it gives an idea of how long a heat transfer will occur? Heat transfer deals with time and nonequilibrium phenomena. Heat can only transfer when there is a temperature gradient that exists in a body and which is an indication of nonequilibrium phenomena.

In short, Thermodynamics gives "Why"  a process will occur and Heat Transfer will tell, "How" a process will occur when there is a concern about the transfer of heat.

To support all these arguments, Thermodynamics uses the following laws,

• Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics (defines temperature)
• The first law of Thermodynamics (defines internal energy)
• Second Law of Thermodynamics (defines entropy)
• Third Law of Thermodynamics (limits the lowest temperature attainable)

While Heat Transfer uses,

• Fourier's Law (Heat conduction)
• Newtons Law of Cooling (Heat convection)
• Planck's Law (Thermal Radiation)
• Stephan Boltzman's Law (Thermal Radiation)
• Wein's Law (Thermal Radiation)
• Kirchoff's Law (Thermal Radiation)
• Lambert's Law (Thermal Radiation)

Learn more about such important questions to be asked in Mechanical Engineering Interview

Calorific value and its types (Higher calorific value and lower calorific value)

Any fuel that is to be used in any combustion process first, be checked by its calorific values. The cost of fuel is also affected by the calorific value of the fuel. Here you can find the basic information about the calorific value and its type. 

What is combustion?

Free e-books for mechanical engineering subjects

This article aims at sharing free e-books for mechanical engineering subjects. You can ask for any book that is listed below.

'Bomb Calorimeter' for determination of Calorific Value of solid and liquid fuel

Calorific value (CV) of a fuel is a characteristic of fuel which is defined as the energy liberated per kg of fuel burnt. Fuels are found in three phase viz. solid, liquid and gaseous. Junker's calorimeter is used to measure the CV of gaseous fuels.

Bomb Calorimeter experiment to measure calorific value of fuel:

• It is used to measure the calorific value (CV) of solid as well as liquid fuel. But to determine the CV of gas, one need to choose Junker's calorimeter.
• A calorimeter contains thick walled cylindrical vessel and it consists of the lid which supports two electrodes which are in contact with fuse and fuel sample of known weight. 
• The lid also contains oxygen inlet valve through which high-pressure oxygen gas (at about 25 to 30 atm) is supplied.
• Entire lid with fuel sample is now held in a copper calorimeter containing known weight of water. A mechanical stirrer is provided to stirred well for uniform heating of water. 
• A thermometer is also provided to measure the change in temperature of water due to combustion of fuel in Lid. 

Most important subjects for GATE Mechanical Engineering

Most students preparing for higher studies or jobs ask one common question. Which subjects are most important in mechanical engineering? The mechanical curriculum contains many subjects but some of them are basic subjects on which other subjects are based and rely upon it.

Undergraduate syllabus or curriculum normally contains subjects like

Machine Design mainly requires knowledge of Strength of Materials because to design of any machine component, we need to look for types of loading, calculation of equivalent forces and stresses. So, before studying Machine Design, we need to have sound knowledge of strength of materials. So, in the curriculum of any mechanical engineering, Strength of Materials/Mechanics of Solids are covered (in the first or second semester) before Machine Design.

Why cooling capacity unit of domestic refrigerator and Air Conditioner (AC) is different?

Have you ever wondered, Why capacity units of the domestic refrigerator and Air Conditioner (AC) are different though both are refrigeration system? What is the basic difference between them with respect to the cooling capacity?

The capacity of the domestic refrigerator is normally rated in 'Litre'.

Litre is actually a unit of volume and it is applicable to the domestic refrigerator while dealing with space/volume to be cooled. Thus, litre capacity actually indicates the volume or space to be cooled by the domestic refrigerator.

On the other hand, the capacity of Air Conditioner (AC) is given by term 'Ton of refrigeration'.

What is one Ton refrigeration?

Is it necessary to learn AutoCAD for any Mechanical Engineer?

Any software is a tool for making a task easy on a computer. If you are an engineer, there are plenty of software prepared for a special task. Out of them, AutoCAD is also a very important software.

AutoCAD is all about CAD (Computer-Aided Design). If you are a mechanical engineer, you have to design or manufacture a product or component of any machine or mechanism. 

Industry

In industry, work is continuously done and one has to rely on the computer instead of a manual task. The same is true for the drawing of any product. There are plenty of chances to have an error or many errors in handmade drawing and this will cost a lot for any company. So, the design department of any company has AutoCAD in their PCs. They have special persons to do this task.

What would happen if compressor is removed from the refrigerator?

Simply, the refrigerator would STOP! but why?

To answer this question, one needs to know the Second law of thermodynamics (Clausius Statement) which states "It is impossible to construct a heat pump which continuously takes away the heat from low-temperature region to high-temperature region without taking any external work". 

Here, the heat pump is our refrigerator which keeps on throwing heat from low-temperature environment to room temperature. As per the above statement, external work is must to run the refrigerator. That external work is represented by "Compressor".

How to write an 'abstract' for technical report or article or paper?

If you are an engineer and working in industry or academics, you need to submit a technical report or research papers to express the findings and work of stuff.

An abstract is an important element of any technical report or any research paper/article. It is something that people normally prefer to read before taking a look at the whole article. The abstract must contain enough information that highlights and give the complete essence of the article. 

Normally abstract should deliver objectives of the research, methods that one has used for research, key results obtained and a clear and concise conclusion. 

The abstract should contain a minimum 100 to 200 words. The content of the abstract should be clear and concise. 

Tips for GPSC Interview for lecturer and assistant professor

These are the tips which can be helpful to clear the GSPC personal interview for lecturer and assistant professor

1. Have confidence in your answer while you are asked to speak about yourself. This is normally the very first question asked by the chairman of the interview "Tell me about yourself". Make answer ready in advance. Speak your full name, age, qualification with college and university, current job.
2. Now when you are asked about your job, give positive aspects of the job.
3. Why do you want to do a teaching job? Why not a current job? Do not say I am not enjoying the current job but say, "I love teaching and this changes the lives of people. I want to impact the lives of many by teaching jobs. This job is a respectful job"
4. Always ready with two or three favorite subjects. 
5. Prepare the DEMO lecture that will be most probably asked to deliver. 
6. SAY "NO" IF YOU ARE NOT VERY SURE ABOUT QUESTION'S ANSWER. IF YOU GIVE the WRONG ANSWER THEY WILL TRAP YOU AND ULTIMATELY TIME AND YOUR REPUTATION WILL BE WASTED. Just say 'No' and pass the question. The new question might be familiar to you. This will have the impact of honesty on the interviewer. 
7. DO NOT ARGUE. DO not hurt them by saying I AM right even though they are wrong. They just make sure about your character. 

All you need to know about Thermodynamics Properties

Thermodynamic Property is a measurable characteristic of the system.
To get the status of any process of the system, one should have at least two properties at hand. Thus to define the state of a system, we must know the information about different thermodynamics properties. 

One can classify the general properties in following ways.

1. Primitive Properties (which are taken from other branches of the science)

• Pressure, P
• Velocity, v
• Volume, V

2. Basic Thermodynamic Properties (which are defined by the laws of the thermodynamics)

• Temperature, T (defined by the zeroth law of the Thermodynamics)
• Internal Energy, U (defined by the first law of the Thermodynamics)
• Entropy, S (defined by the second law of the Thermodynamics)

3. Derived Thermodynamics Properties (Combination of various other properties defined earlier)

• Enthalpy ( U + P.V)
• Gibbs Energy (U + PV-TS)
• Specific Heat at Constant Pressure, Cp
• Specific Heat at Constant Volume, Cv

Refrigeration system-Construction and working of 'Ice plant'

We all are aware of the domestic refrigerator and its usage. We get ice cubes from the freezer compartment to meet daily requirements but to get ice in huge quantity we normally approach the ice plant or factory. Here, I am going to share an overview of the construction and working of ice making process and its layout. 

Normally, any refrigeration system consists of four main types of elements:

1. Compressor

2. Condenser

3. Throttle valve/flow control valve

4. Evaporator

Construction of Ice plant

But in Ice plant or factory, two additional circuits help us to create ice in huge quantities. Refer to the figure and Video.

Tips to avoid common errors or mistakes in technical papers or writing

In current technological era, everything get done by machine and related technology. Each needs research and development. So, to convey the information or findings one need to write technical report, paper or writings. Most of the times, technical reports are full of quality but they contain common errors which might change the meaning or may cause rejection of technical papers also.  So, read the following tips to know what are the common errors and its solutions.

Numeric numbers:

Technical writings are full of numbers and data. Normally integers or numbers less than ten are written in words. Say to convey '2 components, one should write 'two components'. Numbers greater than ten and fractional numbers can be written in digits like 11, 12.4 etc.

Take care of 'a, an, the':

Always remember than 'a' & 'an' can be used when we talk about indefinite things while 'the' can be used while talking about 'definite' things. 

Cone penetration test on Lubricating Grease - Grease Penetrometer

Aim: To find out the consistency of a given sample of grease.

What is the Consistency of Grease?

- The measure of relative hardness of grease is referred to as consistency number as per N.L.G.I (National Lubricating Grease Institute) which is a trade association that governs lubrication and related industry research.

 What is Grease?

A Semi-fluid lubricant made of base oil and thickener.

Introduction to energy, energy sources and energy conversion process

What is energy?

Non Conventional Energy sources or Renewable energy sources

What is the meaning of non-conventional energy sources?

First let us understand the word, 'conventional' term. Conventional means 'traditional' or 'usual way of doing'. Fuels that we normally use daily are called 'conventional fuels' and the sources of it called 'conventional energy sources'. These include petrol, diesel, crude oil, gas, etc. Non-conventional energy sources are also called renewable energy sources due to their infinite amount of energy source and can be re-use it again while petrol, diesel, and gas once consumed cannot be use again. so, conventional energy sources are called non-renewable energy sources. And the fuels which are not traditionally used are called, 'Nonconventional energy sources', While non-conventional energy sources are,

• Solar energy, 
• Wind energy, 
• Tidal energy, 
• Geothermal energy

Solar Energy