As somone with really poor memory that managed to crawl his way through undergrad I'm really struggling to remember the sheer amount of concepts and formulas that needed to be memorized. All you studied in undergrad you're supposed to study again and remember all at the same time.

I'm really struggling to remeber it all on top of 3-4 hour review discussions 4 days a week, weekly exams, solving godly amount of course problems everyday and actively try to understand them.

Powerplant is bad enough and here comes design where there are ridiculuous amounts of formulas, material properties you need to memorize.

And it feels like resting is a death sentence. It so tiring and it feels helpless.

Hey everyone!

One thing I've been wondering is how people in different industries with electro-mechanical systems will deal with potential tariffs on Chinese suppliers?

Let's go ahead and place any politics aside in this lol.

Everyone I know (for real production use cases, not hobbyist) gets their motors from China right now, and there's no clear winner in terms of a pure US alternative that I know of.

So I would love to hear from all of your experiences, and what the impact is here.

Are there good alternatives? How much more expensive are they (average percentage, etc)? Concerns about handling volume? And anything else you can think of!

My questions are:

1. How do you prepare for the interview?. If you are coning from non mining experience or with no experience
2. What exactly do ME engineer do in mining industry.?
3. What areas you need work on to become a better mechanical engineer in mining sector.

Does anyone have an example of a drawing note for match drill callouts? Possibly a flag note or a hole callout would be great

Long story short, I’m an ME who worked in aerospace manufacturing for a year and worked for an avionics company for 2 years. I was laid off in June, and haven’t found work yet. I’ve had interviews but none of them panned out. I’ve sprayed and prayed and also tailored, I just paid for the new ChatGPT version with the resume builder and plan on using that from here on.

But in the mean time I was thinking about starting a business for CAD and DFM just to get me by. In my last role I designed a rackmounted RF system and did thermals on it with 6Sigma(still a leaner with thermals), my ADHD boredom is excruciatingly painful.
I was thinking of buying a used Apexx Boxx on eBay and to buy Solidworks for 3 month to see how it pans out. Just wanted to get people’s input because the unemployment checks are shit. Thanks EDIT: I’ve also done cable harness design

Hey guys , I’m currently a ME freshman with limited knowledge about the industry/curriculum. However in my country you can easily get an internship through knowing people. I have a possible opportunity to intern at a glass manufacturing factory and wanted to know if it would be applicable to ME and would it benefit me as a freshman. What could I possibly learn and is it worth using my winter break.

I’m tired of hearing people saying automation has not worked for them and they go back to manually extracting data from engineering diagrams. Trust me bro that’s the last thing that you wanna do in 2025. A lot of construction and component manufacturing companies stay away from automation because they have millions of drawing variations to handle which are sometimes generations old. 

And the traditional OCR system fails to keep up with the wide variety of drawing formatting. But the problem here is you are investing in the wrong tool. See OCR as a tool was built to digitize text from an image. That’s all. How can you even expect it to extract data from your engineering drawings? The tool that will help you here is an AI-powered OCR system or Intelligent Document Processing which not only reads but also understands the text within the context, including images, complex numerical values, and whatnot. And this isn’t just a theory. Leading construction and manufacturing firms have already implemented this and maximized their ROI by 11x. You can also look it up if you want. 

So if you find yourself spending all day pulling out data from any engineering drawings, you better ask your seniors to invest in an automation tool that saves you months of manual labor, which in this day and age is possible.

I’m tired of hearing people saying automation has not worked for them and they go back to manually extracting data from engineering diagrams. Trust me bro that’s the last thing that you wanna do in 2025. A lot of construction and component manufacturing companies stay away from automation because they have millions of drawing variations to handle which are sometimes generations old. 

And the traditional OCR system fails to keep up with the wide variety of drawing formatting. But the problem here is you are investing in the wrong tool. See OCR as a tool was built to digitize text from an image. That’s all. How can you even expect it to extract data from your engineering drawings? The tool that will help you here is an AI-powered OCR system or Intelligent Document Processing which not only reads but also understands the text within the context, including images, complex numerical values, and whatnot. And this isn’t just a theory. Leading construction and manufacturing firms have already implemented this and maximized their ROI by 11x. You can also look it up if you want. 

So if you find yourself spending all day pulling out data from any engineering drawings, you better ask your seniors to invest in an automation tool that saves you months of manual labor, which in this day and age is possible.

I’ve been moved out of a dynamic role where I was doing design, analysis, and prototyping work. I’m now mostly working on minor design changes, some troubleshooting, and cost reduction efforts. A big part of my problem is that I simply don’t enjoy doing it, but my ADHD brain makes it hard for me to engage with the work.

Others that suffer from similar issues: what have you done to keep engaged and avoid boredom in these situations?

Got picked up by a company as a mechanical engineer from school and now they are going through mass layoffs.

I’m the newest person on my team and I feel most at risk with only 3 months working there. Not only that, I don’t even have an emergency fund and have to pay my student loans soon.

Obviously I am not laid off yet, but I won’t really know for sure until atleast a couple more months. It’s been really messing with my mental health and it’s difficult to not worry about it when the odds are all stacked against me and it’s slightly affecting my productivity too.

This is my first time dealing with layoffs and not sure what to do. I’ve already applied to 250+ jobs, I don’t want to have to move or relocate to a brand new place either.

Hello, I have this lifting problem. How do I go about solving this. Like at the neutral position is the upper arm apart of the math or is it's weight just added against the force needed to raise and lower it? How would I go about solving this?

My boss said, you are gonna make me mad. When i was just saying a fact that we only need to model at part once as its in every vatiation.

I was taken back as it was just a normal disscussion. I was thinking in the moment should i be scared or will he fire me but i decided to standup for myself.

Hey y'all, I'm a sophomore meche student on the east Coast. I really want to get an internship this summer and I have experience in a lab from last summer. the obvious step up is an internship. I'm honestly looking for advice or connections. I have a website portfolio and a proper resume, but only received regections so far. Reddit may not be the best place to get connections, but I don't see why not to try. Generally I want to work in the materials science, biomedical, or robotics field. I'm really am open to anything not construction related.

For those who have been in the field for a while, what is your typical day at work? How has it changed throughout your career? Do you focus on one project at a time or multiple? Do you find most of your time is taken up by meetings, independent work, CAD, calculations/simulations? Most importantly, do you like what you do every day?

I know this really open ended, I just love to get some more anecdotes from other people in the field.

Hi there,

I completed some months ago my Bachelor (3 years long, Italy based) and I am right now in a small company who is teaching me the basics of web development (Java, JS and their frameworks) in order to hire me soon as a full stack dev. I know Python already as I did use it to apply the FFT to some accelerometer data (thanks Arduino) for my final thesis.

How did it turn out being a software developer after studying mechanical engineering for you all? Are you happy about it? To be fair I miss ME a bit, not sure if I should go back to that but in Italy without a Master (2 more years) you have less access to jobs so, I am not sure about that. Also maybe it is me but software development compared to thermodynamics, vibrations and so on seems sooo easy.

I would love to hear your experience.

As title says, I want to start a discussion for tips on career progression and how to manage your career. I'm currently still early in my career but getting closer and closer to a senior level experience. I'm nearly 6 years in, working as a Lead engineer in a development role in NPI for oil & gas with a high pace, high complexity. The stress is some times quite high and expectations as well. Due to my detail oriented personality, I find myself being involved in a lot of projects since I get things done, have a good mechanical aptitude and know how to read, something that seems rare in these days. I have carved myself a niche knowledge in a subject matter which involves me being central to some developments, which is quite nice, but has the caveat that I'm constantly being involved in things that I have no specific goal for or stake in. For this reason I've made this thread to start a discussion on how to deal with the increasing responsibilities and difficulties that come with having a career as a ME.

Anyone willing to share tips and tricks to navigate career pitfalls or into a higher compensated/responsibility role?

Relevant topics:

• Tasks mangement and avoiding burn-out:
  • How do you deal with too many projects/tasks? The better you are, the more you get to do, it's like a chinese trap - harder your pull, the more you're squeezed.
  • Burn-out is a common theme in development and I can count on one hand the number of recents occurences. Any tips to deal with burn-out?
• Project management and priorities:
  • Similar to above, sometimes you are allocated projects with highly unrealistic goals/budget/timeline. What can you do to mitigate yourself from failure?
• Promotion negotiation and getting responsibilities:
  • Everyone knows the struggle of salary or promotion negotiation. What tips do you have to share to move to a higher role with higher compensation?
  • Management or technical? Is it any greener on the management side?
• Technical expertise:
  • Fortunately in my role I get to work with innovative technologies (for ME at least) and seemingly endless stream of new challenges. I try to keep myself technically up-to-date through reading / online courses. What things has benefitted you the most over your career (effort vs benefit)?
  • Does it under any circumstance make sense to move from a technical role to a sourcing/sales/etc. role if you really the mechanical side of engineering? I mean, if you deal daily with simulations, calculations, problem solving, etc. and like it?

Thanks, looking forward to hearing your comments.

I am endlessly frustrated by both clients and colleagues who seem unable to grasp fundamental theory, like drawing a free body diagram, understanding shear force and bending moments, even simple geometry! I never studied mechanical engineering - I did a science degree and learnt from books and youtube - but I still know those stuff! When did universities stop teaching the basics?

Hey I need some help with managing internship opportunities and an offer I have.

Ultimately, I want to get into the Product Design/Design Engineering field. However, I have an offer at a company for an internship (Process Engineering) that’s a very high paying job but not particularly a lot to do with Product Design or Design Engineering. Currently, I’m waiting to hear back from interviews with 2 other companies, one for a manufacturing engineering role and another for a product design role, and I believe both of these would be very applicable (even the manufacturing role) in trying to eventually pursue a Design job.

Currently, my hold up is that the pay at the company I have the offer with is very good, but I believe that the money will come later if I pursue something I’m more interested in. I have a week to decide whether or not I should take the offer. Should I reach back out to the other companies on the timeline of their recruiting? Do you guys have any advice for me?

It's in the title. I've done tons of research on AE, and it seems like the obvious one to choose. However, upon checking Linked In, it appears that many more people are hired as Mechanical Engineering Graduates. So now I'm in double minds. I'm based in the UK, and am from the North, don't plan on going anywhere near to London. I'm currently looking at doing a Foundation year, one of my original options was Leeds, but they don't offer a foundation, so now I'm limited to Loughborough and a few others. But if I do a degree in ME, does that mean I'll have to do a Masters in Automotive then or what? And If I'm doing ME, will I still be able to participate in Formula Student as that seems to be a really good thing to have under the belt. If I do take ME, what course would I exactly take to get in to F1?
What would be my best options at this stage?

Hey i want to grow my skills in cad but i want to know which cad software is used the most in companies.

https://youtu.be/2fwz9vatJR0?si=LZOidtKzVF75M6Pg
help me in the fabrication of this.Need suggestions.

Hey guys,

ME here. MODS, please remove this if it is against the rules.

I've got the opportunity to purchase a massive assortment of Grade 12.9 Socket Head Cap Screws.

45,000 Screws

All metric

M2-M8 Coarse

6mm - 50mm Lengths

The price is high but the price per screw is extremely low. I'd love to split it with someone (~$750) because I really just don't have a need for so many screws. I figure splitting the entire package in half works. If anyone is interested, please DM me!

Hello everyone! I recently graduated in industrial engineering, and I’m very interested in roles focused on the industrialization of new products. I’ve realized that this type of work often requires deeper technical skills than those covered in my program.

After some interviews, I found that a mechanical engineering background might be more suitable for the kind of positions I’m aiming for. I already have some basic technical knowledge, but I’m eager to deepen my understanding.

If anyone here could share more about the courses taught in this field—or even share course materials—I would really appreciate it! Thank you!

Hi i need help for an effective way to go over everything as fast as possible. I study mechanical engineering in Taiwan, i didn't work on my field of study and move to the US. So i barely go over anything for one year and an half. My plan was to do a credential evaluation and potentially study and maybe do my master here to make sure i am ready to apply for work. But i was talking with someone about it in Florida. He work for a construction company and told me they do take engineer and could help me meet with someone. Is there a way i can quickly go over the necessary stuff i would need for an interview. If possible things a construction company will need from a mechanical engineer

Welded metal bellows

I have graduated from mechanical design and production engineering and i am currently working as an inward quality engineer for 1.5 years I am not happy where i am and i need to improve my skills as a mechanical engineer, but i don't know what to do. I can work as an r&d engineer, process engineer, purchasing engineer and other stuff. What should i do? What should i learn? And i'm also looking for an opportunity in Europe or in Australia

I'm passionate about mechanical engineering. I enjoy math, physics, and making things, and I’ve always wanted a career that lets me create. I’m deciding between mechanical and electrical engineering. I know engineering is in-demand globally, but I’m unsure about its prospects in my country. My teacher was also unsure and he suggested civil engineering instead, but I’m not interested in that field.

I feel like I am in a rare situation, unlike most, my main concern isn’t the difficulty or my level of interest in the field, but it’s knowing if mechanical engineering will be valuable in my country. Since I live in a village without access to many engineers or connections, how can I start gathering information about its demand and potential earnings here? I live in Georgia by the way. I wish I lived in ancient Greece and had the option to just pursue interests like these without the need to apply them in a job somewhere. Earning the money is like the most boring part of it for me. I know its important though so I can't ignore that. Well I have one year to decide and I don't know what I am gonna do.