Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.
Manufacturing Engineers focus on the design, development and operation of integrated systems of production to obtain high quality & economically competitive products. These systems may include material handling equipment, machine tools, robots or even computers or networks of computers.
Simply put, Mechanical engineers design and develop specific types of machines, while manufacturing engineers work to improve the manufacturing process for a range of products and may also contribute to altering product designs.
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering courses in the following subject areas:
There are many Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering courses that take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification. You could also consider work experience or structured internship programmes and summer placement schemes. These provide an excellent insight into the nature of the work and are often hands-on.
Getting in touch directly with large engineering employers will show you take your work seriously. The work is often hands-on and provides a good insight into the engineering environment. It can also be a good idea to shadow different engineers to help you decide which area you'd like to work in. Employers value work experience and especially relating to the career you'd like to pursue.
Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
After completing a course in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of Engineering processes and practices.
Mechanical and Manufacturing engineering deals with the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of anything that has moving parts, making it a field that is used in most industries. You will find relevant opportunities in a range of sectors such as aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, construction, energy, manufacturing, medicine, railway engineering and even sport.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full time, Monday to Friday. Working hours typically include regular extra hours, but not usually weekends or shifts.
After completing a course in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as aeronautical engineering, agricultural engineering, computer-aided engineering and engineering science, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering or nuclear engineering.
Why is Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering important?
Mechanical and Manufacturing engineers research, design, build, test, maintain and improve everything from power plants, renewable energy systems and electrical generators and robots to computer systems, aircraft engines and cars. Everything that has been built around us has had a Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineers input at some point in the process, without them the world around us would literally be falling down.
What skills could be helpful for a career in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering?
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering is a combination of maths, science, technology, business and management. It is important that you are able to solve problems using both logic and creative and innovative approaches, able to plan and prioritise, work to deadlines and under pressure.
You should also be highly computer literate with excellent analytical skills, capable of careful attention to detail, able to exercise good judgement and accept responsibility and able to communicate with others and work in multidisciplinary teams.
Is manufacturing engineering the same as mechanical engineering?
Mechanical engineers design and develop specific types of machines, while manufacturing engineers work to improve the manufacturing process for a range of products and may also contribute to altering product designs.
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