Kawi2strokes.com Forum

What exactly makes one a bonafide Engineer?

Cody, if I were trying to hire a mechanical engineer (the kind I'm most familiar with) for an entry level position, I'd expect the guys applying for the job to have a basic understanding of physics and chemistry, have knowledge in math through calculus and differential equations, and basic electrical problems like finding the currents and voltages in devices of an electrical circuit. They should also know how to solve statics problems (stresses in truss beam members, for example) and dynamics (stresses in moving/accelerating assemblies). They also need to be able to handle problems in vibration analysis (complex spring and mass problems, for example), heat transfer, and thermodynamics. I've probably left out some important stuff, but I'm tired.

If the position were for an experienced mechanical engineer, the guys should obviously have worked in the field and have gained real-world experience in how to actually put the background knowledge above into practice successfully.

There is also a title called "designer", which is often someone who has worked as a draftsman, and gained real-world experience from that, as well as from working on and building things for work, and often on his own. There is a lot of overlap in talent between engineers and designers. I've met designers who are much more capable of designing complex machines than some engineers I've worked with. Of course I've also met engineers who are very capable and experienced too. A designer may occasionally decide to consult with an engineer if he's not sure about something like how big the beam has to be to carry the load without being overly heavy. An engineer may decide to consult with a designer if he's trying to find an elegant way to do something that he's never tried to do before.

Then there's the title of "Licensed Professional Engineer", that requires demonstration of job experience and the passing of long, tedious written tests given by state boards. This is often required for doing things that involve public safety. I'd expect the engineers designing things like office buildings and bridges to have to be licensed.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Well...in my case; a Bachelor of Science and a Masters from the University of Alabama (5 1/2 years of grueling study). Then, 23 years in new vehicle development at Chrysler Motors(13) and Daimler (10), and then 7 years in development in the fields of Chemistry, Aerodynamics, Laser technology & applications, telemetry, control systems, materials, energetics, test development, proof of concept, blah blah blah; where BTW I'm lucky enough to work along side some the smartest Scientist & Engineers in the world.

You asked.

As with all; there are good doctors and bad doctors, good plumbers and bad plumbers, good lawyers and bad ones, good technicians and bad technicians; so too there are good Engineers and bad ones. And, apparently the "Real" Engineers you hang with did at least bring their product to market...

Now stop it you ....

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Busy doing more riding than wrenching.......

this is the correct answer....and the thrust of my initial comment.

In my personal experience (and I do occassionaly deal with structural engineering (and structural engineers) in my profession), a "formal education", regardless of how "grueling", and the piece of paper that goes along with it has NOTHING to do with an individuals design and build aptitude. Nor does it compensate for common sense.

Some people are more naturally gifted than others, and seldom have to look in a book. Others have to work their tuckus' off to barely get by.

"Mechanical Engineering" as an institution is quite likely my favorite as I've been intrigued by how things function since a very young age. For my 5th birthday, I received my first new bicycle, and the following day took it completely apart...And I mean down to the bearings in the cranks and headstock. Dad was thrilled.
If I had it to do all over again, I would more than likely have pointed my lifes career ship in that direction.
But since I've made it this far, I'll just be content in "re-engineering" things that I feel were designed by those that barely got by... Regardless of their so-called "title".

So please know Rick that I am not poking a stick at Engineering and Engineers as a profession, but was trying to make the point that although a piece of paper (formal education) definitely will get your foot in the door and widens opportunities on the front end of ones' career, it does NOT make one a competent engineer. (or Doctor, or Lawyer, or Butcher, or Baker, or Candlestick Maker)..... EXPERIENCE coupled together with CREATIVE GIFTS do. And one does not get either of those things sitting in a desk surrounded by hung-over 20 year-olds.

WOW from just another overly common v-twin to engineering….

I have to agree that in the construction field many of the structural engineers leave a bit to be desired. I think all those working in the construction industry in structural engineering should have to have some field experience in putting together what others engineer. I would like it if they had 2 years field experience maybe when they are in school. (maybe they already do, I don't know)
Especially when it come to remodeling an existing structure they have a very hard time understanding the limitations of the actual construction technique.
That being said we have also worked with many who know exactly what they are doing and come up with better ways and have actually saved our butts in certain situations. These are the guys I call on a regular bases and pay their fee gladly!

From the Pit Parking at the 2013 Motogp in Laguna Seca. Can anyone guess which bike is the Engineer's bike?

the "knack"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8vHhgh6oM0

i love the line ,
will he lead a normal life?.
No i am sorry he will become an engineer

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she will never be pretty but she is a fun ride.

73 KAWASAKI H1 (Sold).
82 YAMAHA RD350LC
2000 KAWI KDX200H
2001 Triumph TT600

The truss company we use is spectacular. The majority of additions we have done are on 100 year old structures, where back in the day, it was "make it up as you go" construction. Roof pitches can be so different from say the north side of a structure to the south, that just saying we need "X" pitch at "Y" span would not work. From the ground it they may look equal, but can be over 1/12 difference.
The "fun" ones are complex tie-ins (new to old) with dormers, multiple valleys, dutch hips, etc. I don't know how they do it, but this company is usually so dead-nuts (a shim or two might be needed), it really is amazing. I have the utmost respect for those guys as they can make my job (almost) a pleasure.