Ask an Engineer anything
Discussion
Cyder said:
Do you get annoyed when the design engineers keep changing the design and expect you to modify your robots/manufacturing process to keep up with the changes?
Asking for a friend
This can be an issue, for sure. If things are communicated well in advance, then it's usually fine. But we do get design changes dropped on us at short notice. When we're in the early stages of a project, things can change with pretty much zero notice.Asking for a friend
Being a great multi-tasker is probably one of the most desirable attributes needed to do well in this field. Being adaptable, too. These words always sound like CV buzzwords, but they really are essential. I've met engineers who are steadfast in refusing to adapt and be flexible, and they always end up being worse off for it. It's no good trying to take the high ground every time- you've got to give and take.
It's like being on a battlefield at times
dvs_dave said:
Do you think the title of “Engineer” should be a protected one in the UK, as it is in other countries? And do you think this lack of protection has eroded both the interest in, but also the market value of the profession?
Engineer isn't protected here as it has a broader meaning including maintenance and repair of stuff (dictionary definition)Professional engineering titles are protected though. You can't call yourself a Chartered Engineer unless you've earned it, no matter how good a plumber you are!
Cyder said:
Do you get annoyed when the design engineers keep changing the design and expect you to modify your robots/manufacturing process to keep up with the changes?
Asking for a friend
It's why we're there tbh. If changes weren't required I wouldn't be needed. It annoys me when people don't follow design rules and i'm left with the crap to deal with as it's too late to make a design change.Asking for a friend
Edited by fiatpower on Saturday 6th March 17:02
jet_noise said:
Much resonance, I was on the other side 
- design electronics man & boy /fast show.
Are you making assemblies or parts?
And are they mech or elect or a bit of both?
Assemblies. The firms I've been at have made some of their own parts too though- machined components, injection moulded parts and surface mount PCBs. They've always been mechanical and electronics. Have worked with allsorts from lasers, LIDAR systems, infra-red ranging hardware, plenty of bits in the automotive world (motorbikes, supercars, agriculture) and more. - design electronics man & boy /fast show.Are you making assemblies or parts?
And are they mech or elect or a bit of both?
Thought I'd help some more by adding some questions and answers of my own
What do you do?
Take a concept from design to full production. This includes all aspects from deciding how the product will be made, to specifying, sourcing, installing and setting up of equipment, jigs and fixtures, having input in the product design, performing capability analysis and fault finding on products.
The role is incredibly varied and can also entail investigation and research into new technologies and materials, resolution of production issues, flow and lean type improvements, product cost reduction and other cost saving exercises. It can be highly theoretical (diving into Minitab performing statistical analysis, FMEAs) or completely hands on.
What are the best bits?
Lots of things! Learning about new technology and putting it into practice is a big one, particularly when it’s a step change over existing technology (as I’ve mentioned before, laser welding is a great example of this). Dealing with a vast array of people and departments. Variety and rarely getting bored. There being tons of potential opportunities to improve things. Working with some talented, dedicated and committed people.
Worst bits?
There are many different management styles and cultures as in any field, and some will suit you more than others. The place I’m at now is very lean and things happen quickly, which I like. I’ve been in more bureaucratic environments before which were meeting-heavy, and it can take the energy out of you at times. On the flip side, if a place is too quick to dive into decision making, things can end up rushed and confusion can reign. You need the right balance of planning and action. Pay is decent but not stellar.
What are the prospects like for Engineering in the UK?
Great! There is generally a shortage of engineers, particularly experienced people. It’s a huge field, and can be incredibly specialised. You don’t even have to work in manufacturing. All sorts of enterprises require skills gained in engineering- I’ve seen adverts from e-commerce and logistics businesses and financial services for process engineering type roles.
What would you recommend to anyone starting out?
Ask lots of questions! There’s lots to learn, and the faster you can learn, the greater an asset you’ll be. Find a good mentor(s). Volunteer for extra experience in different areas of the business if you’re really keen to learn and get on. Don’t be scared of proposing new things, but make sure you’ve done your research and thought about how your ideas are relevant. You can gain familiarity with CAD/stats software at home- free drawing programs such as FreeCAD exist.
My Dad/mate/teacher/source of information says engineering and manufacturing are dying/dead in this country
This is far from the truth. Engineers will always be needed, unless we develop a race of robots with strong AI capabilities, by which time we might all be retired early. Engineers are basically problem solvers, and there are lots of problems. 3D printing/additive manufacturing is a great technology which could (and is) taking work from machining businesses, but they still need people to design the parts that go on the printers. Engineers are still needed to design the machines that make the parts. There is still a healthy, thriving manufacturing sector in the UK, that spans many disciplines. Certain steel mills and car plants may be closing, but a plethora of new businesses and sectors are taking their place.
Great! Where do I start?
STEM subject at a good university or a quality apprenticeship (which do still exist. Places are very competitive though). Industry experience if you’re doing a degree will help you massively.
What do you do?
Take a concept from design to full production. This includes all aspects from deciding how the product will be made, to specifying, sourcing, installing and setting up of equipment, jigs and fixtures, having input in the product design, performing capability analysis and fault finding on products.
The role is incredibly varied and can also entail investigation and research into new technologies and materials, resolution of production issues, flow and lean type improvements, product cost reduction and other cost saving exercises. It can be highly theoretical (diving into Minitab performing statistical analysis, FMEAs) or completely hands on.
What are the best bits?
Lots of things! Learning about new technology and putting it into practice is a big one, particularly when it’s a step change over existing technology (as I’ve mentioned before, laser welding is a great example of this). Dealing with a vast array of people and departments. Variety and rarely getting bored. There being tons of potential opportunities to improve things. Working with some talented, dedicated and committed people.
Worst bits?
There are many different management styles and cultures as in any field, and some will suit you more than others. The place I’m at now is very lean and things happen quickly, which I like. I’ve been in more bureaucratic environments before which were meeting-heavy, and it can take the energy out of you at times. On the flip side, if a place is too quick to dive into decision making, things can end up rushed and confusion can reign. You need the right balance of planning and action. Pay is decent but not stellar.
What are the prospects like for Engineering in the UK?
Great! There is generally a shortage of engineers, particularly experienced people. It’s a huge field, and can be incredibly specialised. You don’t even have to work in manufacturing. All sorts of enterprises require skills gained in engineering- I’ve seen adverts from e-commerce and logistics businesses and financial services for process engineering type roles.
What would you recommend to anyone starting out?
Ask lots of questions! There’s lots to learn, and the faster you can learn, the greater an asset you’ll be. Find a good mentor(s). Volunteer for extra experience in different areas of the business if you’re really keen to learn and get on. Don’t be scared of proposing new things, but make sure you’ve done your research and thought about how your ideas are relevant. You can gain familiarity with CAD/stats software at home- free drawing programs such as FreeCAD exist.
My Dad/mate/teacher/source of information says engineering and manufacturing are dying/dead in this country
This is far from the truth. Engineers will always be needed, unless we develop a race of robots with strong AI capabilities, by which time we might all be retired early. Engineers are basically problem solvers, and there are lots of problems. 3D printing/additive manufacturing is a great technology which could (and is) taking work from machining businesses, but they still need people to design the parts that go on the printers. Engineers are still needed to design the machines that make the parts. There is still a healthy, thriving manufacturing sector in the UK, that spans many disciplines. Certain steel mills and car plants may be closing, but a plethora of new businesses and sectors are taking their place.
Great! Where do I start?
STEM subject at a good university or a quality apprenticeship (which do still exist. Places are very competitive though). Industry experience if you’re doing a degree will help you massively.
Edited by Fusion777 on Saturday 6th March 20:26
Edited by Fusion777 on Saturday 6th March 20:30
Clifford Chambers said:
When you've something that works perfectly well, why do feel the need to fiddle?
I'm thinking of the guy who thought it was a good idea to do away with dipsticks for instance.
Have you thought about using a mangle rather than a washing machine. Wireless technology. I'm thinking of the guy who thought it was a good idea to do away with dipsticks for instance.
Clifford Chambers said:
When you've something that works perfectly well, why do feel the need to fiddle?
I'm thinking of the guy who thought it was a good idea to do away with dipsticks for instance.
There’s always a reason...often money. The dip stick one though was due to routing and use. I'm thinking of the guy who thought it was a good idea to do away with dipsticks for instance.
Over 10 years, and as many cars, I didn’t look at the dip stick once. Mostly because I didn’t have to as the cars weren’t using oil, and partially because they were company cars. People just don’t check their oil like the had to 40 years ago.
Ironically, since buying my own car I discovered modern Porsches do use oil like a 60’s era car and so now I have to care and top it up. “They all do that sir”. My car doesn’t have a dip stick so I rely on the dash read out.
Also, engineers make something that works and then iterate. That’s why the first gen of a car is the least profitable. Over subsequent revisions “cost efficiencies” will have been “extracted”.
For transparency, I’m not an auto mobile engineer. I did use my degree in chemical engineering for 16 years before falling into technology.
Edited by h0b0 on Saturday 6th March 22:12
I’m an automotive engineer and your point is pretty much correct.
Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
The other thing is that we design some parts of the car to be conservative (small c) to be sure sure that we’ll pass the relevant development tests as we simply don’t have time in the development schedule to risk using a lesser material or electrical system with fewer failsafes (for example diodes to prevent reverse current).
Then after the vehicle is launched we’ll often go back over some of those points and check the results from tests and if there’s enough performance margin look to optimise the material or circuit (with re-testing of course).
Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
The other thing is that we design some parts of the car to be conservative (small c) to be sure sure that we’ll pass the relevant development tests as we simply don’t have time in the development schedule to risk using a lesser material or electrical system with fewer failsafes (for example diodes to prevent reverse current).
Then after the vehicle is launched we’ll often go back over some of those points and check the results from tests and if there’s enough performance margin look to optimise the material or circuit (with re-testing of course).
Edited by Cyder on Saturday 6th March 22:08
S6PNJ said:
Just checking credentials. OK, BA or UNF then? 
I quite like staying in the 21st Century, thanks! It’s bad enough when we have to deal with stateside organisations still using inches full stop. #4 this, TPI that. Join the rest of the world, America. There are still people in the industry that refer to the “thou”, even though they’re young enough to have been taught in metric at school. Guess old habits die hard.
Cyder said:
I’m an automotive engineer and your point is pretty much correct.
Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
i thought that was a older buiness model for car manufacturers, now they are building a range of cars utilising a platform, but different specifications, relying on options to increase profit not design deletions?Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
Fusion777 said:
...... Join the rest of the world, America.
Nothing wrong with thou'! And I agree with you - as long as the object supports it (ie no specific revolution/distance requirements) then metric is the one - but I have an American chainsaw and it uses UNF (I'm sure it's that, definitely not UNC) threads in various places - does happen to be 40 odd years old though!!The Spruce Goose said:
Cyder said:
I’m an automotive engineer and your point is pretty much correct.
Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
i thought that was a older buiness model for car manufacturers, now they are building a range of cars utilising a platform, but different specifications, relying on options to increase profit not design deletions?Find a design change/widget deletion that saves £2/ car. Build 300k cars per year and you’ve saved £600k, build that car for 4 years and multiply those cost savings across lots of engineers doing the same thing and you’ve saved an awful lot of money.
I should have explained it is less design deletions, more optimisations in my experience.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff