Ask an Engineer anything
Discussion
Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon/pass on some useful information. Don't want to be super specific about everything as like to keep some anonymity, but can hopefully offer some insights/advice/opinions for anyone interested.
In short- work in manufacturing engineering. 10 years experience. Came through the uni route. Worked for a few different firms in different UK regions. Find the job enjoyable and very varied, and would recommend it. Fire away
In short- work in manufacturing engineering. 10 years experience. Came through the uni route. Worked for a few different firms in different UK regions. Find the job enjoyable and very varied, and would recommend it. Fire away
What sort of manufacturing engineer?
Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
iAmbleton said:
What sort of manufacturing engineer?
Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
Some of us do all of the above!Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
My lad (year 7) was in some engineering careers on line thing on Friday, he was very interested, when I asked him what kind the Engineer the speaker was things were a bit vague.
Eventually I managed to prise out that the person managed people in engineering....this I had to explain was what happened when you worked your way up the ladder, which put him off a bit.
Needing to be good at maths did make him happy though as it’s his favourite subject.
Eventually I managed to prise out that the person managed people in engineering....this I had to explain was what happened when you worked your way up the ladder, which put him off a bit.
Needing to be good at maths did make him happy though as it’s his favourite subject.
h0bbsy said:
How hard is it to compete with overseas competition, eg outsourcing to China?
The companies I've worked for don't really have this issue. We've developed, patented and own our own designs. A precision/metrology company I was at had very, very nice profit margins on their products. They also developed a great reputation for after sales service, which many companies in general just lack. We would also liaise with the end user from start to finish- advise them on what kit they needed, install it, service it, upgrade it, etc, etc. It's really a fully package.The company I'm at now has similar advantages in that our products are all bespoke- not off the shelf. Customers come to us with a requirement, and we develop it from start to finish. It can all be done in both cases with a far eastern company, but it would be much, much harder.
Develop/offer something original, bespoke, high quality or with great service, and you can prosper manufacturing in the UK.
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.
Depends what it is! Some things have stood the test of time, and don't need to be fiddled with. Many things can be improved, one way or another. Technology is evolving all the time. Lasers are playing a much bigger part in assembly processes, whether it's cutting, welding, marking/etching, you name it. I'm thinking of the guy who thought it was a good idea to do away with dipsticks for instance.
The technology is there to be taken advantage of, and it can be faster, better, and more reliable.
Ambleton said:
What sort of manufacturing engineer?
Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
I'm actually involved in all three, although we tend to buy robots off the shelf rather than design them. We modify them and add tooling for them though.Are you a process engineer that designs the processes and the route through the manufacturing process from one end to the other?
A fixtures and robots design engineer for the manufacturing processes, actually designing in CAD the robots and handling process?
A coder that designs the robots tool and paths and what they do from one thing to the next?
(It will change the questions asked)
r159 said:
My lad (year 7) was in some engineering careers on line thing on Friday, he was very interested, when I asked him what kind the Engineer the speaker was things were a bit vague.
Eventually I managed to prise out that the person managed people in engineering....this I had to explain was what happened when you worked your way up the ladder, which put him off a bit.
Needing to be good at maths did make him happy though as it’s his favourite subject.
Engineering is a vast field, there are so many different roles and disciplines. That's good that he's good at maths- you don't necessarily need to be a whizz in it to succeed, it's more that it enables you to take the right degree course or do well in the theoretical modules if you go down the apprenticeship route.Eventually I managed to prise out that the person managed people in engineering....this I had to explain was what happened when you worked your way up the ladder, which put him off a bit.
Needing to be good at maths did make him happy though as it’s his favourite subject.
It does help to have an analytical mind, naturally. But don't be put off if you're not an A grade Maths student.
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?
I'm speaking out of self interest here, but it would be nice. I don't think it's eroded interest in engineering, but I don't think the profession has the same prestige levels as others, nor are engineers as well regarded as in other countries. That might sound a little bit conceited, but it's just my personal opinion.
coppernorks said:
As any fule kno a straight line is the shortest distance between two points so why
is the Liverpool Queensway Tunnel anything but straight, it swerves all over the place ?
Looks pretty straight to me under the water- presuming you mean at the ends? If there wasn't a large bend radius in the route, it would have to be very steep to rise to ground level from the level it's at below water. This is less of a problem now, but it was built in the 1930s when vehicles didn't have anywhere near the power levels they have now.is the Liverpool Queensway Tunnel anything but straight, it swerves all over the place ?
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