the ONE skill that changed my life as a mechanical engineer
Summary
TLDRThis video script narrates the journey of a mechanical engineer who, despite excelling academically, faced real-world challenges post-graduation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA), effective communication, and creativity as pivotal skills for success in the industry. They share personal experiences and insights to guide junior engineers and students, advocating for a balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment.
Takeaways
- π The importance of practical experience: Despite having a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and following all the academic and extracurricular guidelines, real-world challenges can still arise, emphasizing the need for hands-on experience.
- π§ The value of Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA): DFMA is a critical skill for mechanical engineers that can streamline the manufacturing process, save time and money, and prevent costly production issues.
- π οΈ The necessity of understanding manufacturing processes: Knowing the ins and outs of various manufacturing processes is vital for a mechanical engineer to design parts effectively and efficiently.
- π The impact of prototyping on product development: Prototyping is a slow and expensive process, and the ability to get prototypes quickly and affordably can significantly shorten product development times.
- π The role of JLC 3DP for rapid prototyping: JLC 3DP offers industry-leading online 3D printing and CNC machining services, which can expedite the prototyping phase for mechanical engineers.
- π The iterative nature of part design: Mechanical engineers must be prepared for constant adjustments in part design throughout the product development process to accommodate various system requirements.
- π€ The significance of communication skills: Effective communication is essential for conveying complex ideas and technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- π‘ The importance of creativity: Creativity is a top skill for business leaders and is crucial for mechanical engineers to innovate and solve challenging problems.
- π The benefits of mastering DFMA: Becoming an expert in DFMA can increase employability, lead to more job offers, and make it harder for employers not to value your work.
- π§ββοΈ The balance between success and fulfillment: While professional achievement is important, personal fulfillment and health should not be overlooked in the pursuit of career success.
- π The personal growth from overcoming challenges: The speaker's own experiences highlight that overcoming initial struggles in a mechanical engineering career can lead to significant personal and professional growth.
Q & A
What challenges might a junior mechanical engineer face in their first job?
-A junior mechanical engineer might face challenges such as struggling to meet critical project deadlines, making mistakes frequently, having a bad relationship with co-workers, difficulty in getting promotions, and finding the job to be less straightforward compared to university projects.
What is the importance of 'Design for Manufacturability and Assembly' (DFMA) in mechanical engineering?
-DFMA is crucial as it is a set of principles that guide the design of products for easy manufacturing and assembly, which can streamline the entire manufacturing process, saving time and money for the company and preventing costly delays and production bottlenecks.
How does JLC 3DP help mechanical engineers with their prototyping needs?
-JLC 3DP offers online 3D printing and CNC machining prototyping services, allowing engineers to upload their files for instant quotes and orders. They provide a wide selection of materials, colors, and surface finishes, and can ship parts directly to the engineer in any country within as fast as 3 days.
What manufacturing processes should a mechanical engineer be knowledgeable about?
-A mechanical engineer should be knowledgeable about various manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, injection molding, casting, sheet metal forming, 3D printing, welding, and surface treatments to be able to design and optimize parts effectively.
Why is focusing on a single manufacturing process beneficial when mastering DFMA?
-Focusing on a single process allows the engineer to gain a deep understanding of its underlying principles, theory, and practical application without feeling overwhelmed by trying to learn everything at once. This approach enables mastery of one process before moving on to others.
What is the impact of not considering DFMA principles during the design phase of a part?
-Not considering DFMA principles can lead to significant delays in the project, potential redesigns, and in extreme cases, the need to remake tooling, which is both costly and time-consuming for the company.
How can a mechanical engineering student improve their understanding of DFMA?
-Students can improve their understanding of DFMA by doing internships, finding design-oriented research positions, and working with engineers, machinists, and technicians in machine shops and manufacturing plants to gain practical experience and feedback.
Why is communication considered as critical as DFMA for a mechanical engineer?
-Communication is critical because it enables the engineer to effectively convey complex ideas and technical information to both technical and non-technical team members, which is essential for collaboration and career progression.
What role does creativity play in the job of a mechanical engineer?
-Creativity is essential for a mechanical engineer as it aids in innovating, coming up with design ideas, and finding solutions to challenging problems on the fly, which is highly valued in the industry.
What advice does the speaker give about the balance between professional success and personal fulfillment?
-The speaker advises not to focus solely on professional achievement but to also prioritize personal fulfillment, as success without fulfillment is considered a failure. They also emphasize the importance of health and well-being over work.
Outlines
π Challenges and Growth as a Mechanical Engineer
The speaker reflects on the challenges faced after graduating with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and landing a dream job, only to find out that the real-world work environment is vastly different from university expectations. They discuss the struggles with project deadlines, relationships with co-workers, and the lack of straightforwardness in job tasks compared to academic projects. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not only technical skills but also other ingredients for success in the industry. They share their personal growth through reflection and learning, and the significance of designed for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA) as a game-changing skill in their career.
π Mastering DFMA and Manufacturing Processes
This paragraph delves into the concept of Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA), highlighting its importance in streamlining the manufacturing process and saving costs. The speaker explains the principles of DFMA, such as simplifying designs and standardizing components, and discusses the impact of poorly designed products on production. They also talk about the various manufacturing processes like 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding, and how the choice of material and production volume influences the selection of these processes. The speaker shares a strategy for mastering DFMA by focusing on one process at a time and gaining hands-on experience through internships and research positions, which provides invaluable practical knowledge.
π£οΈ The Crucial Soft Skills for Mechanical Engineers
The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of soft skills alongside technical expertise for mechanical engineers. Communication is highlighted as a critical skill for conveying complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Creativity is also underscored as essential for innovation and problem-solving, with the speaker noting that it can be developed over time through engaging in activities one is passionate about. The speaker concludes by advising viewers to prioritize fulfillment over mere achievement, and to never sacrifice their health for work success, encouraging them to seek employment where they are valued if their current situation is unsatisfactory.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Bachelor's degree
π‘Mechanical engineering
π‘DFMA (Design for Manufacturability and Assembly)
π‘Prototyping
π‘JLC 3DP
π‘Manufacturing process
π‘Employability
π‘Communication
π‘Creativity
π‘Fulfillment
Highlights
The speaker emphasizes the challenges faced by new mechanical engineers in the industry, such as meeting project deadlines and maintaining good relationships with co-workers.
University education provides only a partial set of skills needed for industry success, highlighting the importance of additional skills beyond technical knowledge.
Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA) is identified as a critical hard skill that can streamline the manufacturing process and save costs.
Simplifying designs, minimizing parts, and standardizing components are key principles of DFMA that can lead to more efficient production.
The importance of prototyping in the early stages of product development and the challenges of time and cost associated with it are discussed.
JLC 3DP is recommended for quick, affordable, and precise part prototyping, with services that cater to various manufacturing needs.
Different manufacturing processes require unique design approaches, and understanding these is crucial for a mechanical engineer.
The selection of manufacturing processes depends on factors like annual volumes, product value, part geometry, required tolerances, and material.
Becoming proficient in multiple manufacturing processes, such as CNC Machining, injection molding, casting, and 3D printing, can significantly boost employability.
A strategy for mastering DFMA involves focusing on one process at a time and gaining hands-on experience through internships and research positions.
The impact of not understanding DFMA on the product development process, including potential delays and increased costs, is highlighted.
Effective communication is emphasized as a vital soft skill for conveying complex ideas and technical information to various stakeholders.
Creativity is identified as a crucial skill for innovation and problem-solving in mechanical engineering, with the potential to be developed over time.
The importance of focusing on fulfillment alongside achievement in one's career is stressed, with a reminder to prioritize health and well-being.
The speaker shares personal insights on the value of DFMA, communication, and creativity in advancing a mechanical engineer's career.
A call to action for mechanical engineers and students to consider DFMA from the beginning of the design process to avoid costly mistakes.
The video concludes with a reminder to subscribe for more insights on essential skills for mechanical engineers.
Transcripts
picture this you spent 4 years and 300
Grand on getting your bachelor's degree
in mechanical engineering at a top 100
University you did everything you were
supposed to do get good grades join
engineering clubs do internships
networked with people and prepare for
interviews all of your hard work paid
off and you landed your dream mechanical
engineering job but after working for a
year you find out that working in the
real world is totally not what you
expected you're struggling to meet
crital iCal project deadlines because
you're making mistakes all the time you
have a bad relationship with your
co-workers you can't seem to get a
promotion and nothing about your job is
straightforward like the homeworks and
projects that you did in University
these are just some challenges that you
probably have or will experience as an
ustry level or Junior mechanical
engineer I even went through a period of
lows when I first started out as a
mechanical engineer but those times
really gave me an opportunity to reflect
address my shortcomings grow and
ultimately get to where I am today while
university only partially equips us with
important technical skills and knowledge
to solve challenging problems this is
only one out of many ingredients needed
to succeed in Industry having worked as
a mechanical engineer in the consumers
electronics Industry in Boston and
Silicon Valley for over four years I
want to share with you three absolutely
game-changing skills and sever several
key insights that transformed my career
as a mechanical engineer in today's
video if someone had told me about these
thingses in University I would have
received way more job offers doubled my
salary in my first two years as a
mechanical engineer and most importantly
I would have loved my job way more now
the number one hard skill that changed
my life as a mechanical engineer is
designed for manufacturability and
assembly or dfma for sure it's a mindset
a strategy and a set of principles that
guide how we design products to be
easily manufactured and assembled poorly
designed products can lead to costly
delays production bottlenecks and
frustrated assembly teams but when we
apply dfma principles we streamline the
entire manufacturing process saving time
and money for the company so what
exactly are these principles it starts
with simplifying designs minimizing the
number of parts and standardizing
components imagine a product with
thousands of intricate Parts each
requiring Precision Machining and
assembly now picture the same product
redesigned with dfma principles in mind
fewer Parts simpler assembly and faster
production That's The Power of this
skill mechanical engineers design
hundreds upon thousands of parts for a
product whether it's a SmartPhone car
aircraft or robot in the early to
midstage of the product development
process we first have to test a bunch of
three 3D printed and CNC machine
prototypes to determine if the part and
system design are feasible competition
is higher than ever before so every
company is trying to shorten their
product development process and get
products to market yesterday I of course
experienced this firsthand as mechanical
engineer where all of our project
timelines were extremely tight because
of this we had to make split-second
decisions and had very little room for
error unfortunately prototyping is just
a very slow and expensive process by
nature and many of the local machine
shops and 3D printing companies had
these very long lead times and quoted
these exorbitant prices but luckily for
me I was able to get my parts made
quickly cheaply and precisely using jlc
3dp jlc 3dp offers the best industry
leading online 3D printing and CNC
Machining prototyping Services simply
upload your file instant quote and place
your order any weere anytime choose from
Five 3D printing Technologies three CNC
Machining processes a wide selection of
materials colors and surface finishes
and they'll take care of everything so
you can get the parts shipped directly
to you in any country and as fast as 3
days here are several 3D printed
electronic enclosures and miscellaneous
parts that I had them print for me and
everything was delivered right to my
doorstep perfectly packaged and within
specification the best thing is they
will automatically reval your your part
designs for manufacturability issues and
tell you exactly how to fix them if
you're working on a project and need
affordable 3D printed or CNC machine
parts fast be sure to check out the link
in the description below once you test
out a range of prototypes and nail down
high level design you'll need to start
the detailed design of parts and apply
dfma principles how you design a part
will depend on many factors one of which
is the manufacturing process used to
fabricate the part the same part that's
3D printed CNC machine and injection
moded will need to be designed
differently according to dfma principles
which manufacturing process you
ultimately choose to make your part will
depend on several key selection criteria
such as annual volumes product value
part geometry required tolerances and
material for example your material
choice will instantly rule out a good
number of incompatible processes diec
casting can only be used with metal
injection molding can only be used with
plastics or polymers while CNC Machining
can be used with both Metals Plastics
and even Diamond if talking about part
volumes plastic injection molding and
casting are typically for high volume
production where hundreds of thousands
or even millions of units are made per
year while CNC Machining is
traditionally for low to medium volume
production unless your Apple who is an
exception to every rule so a low volume
product could be a denture surgical
robot or Airbus 380 while a high volume
product could be an iPhone or a bottle
of coke now you might be thinking
there's a billion types of manufacturing
processes out there which one should I
become an expert at speaking from
experience CNC Machining injection
molding casting sheet metal forming 3D
printing welding and surface treatments
are all great to know for product design
if you're a dfma expert and you can
design and optimize parts for several
manufacturing processes your
employability is going to Skyrocket
you're going to get more job offers and
it's going to be hard for your boss not
to like you one strategy I use to master
dfma is simply by focusing on a single
process I was most interested in it's
very easy to feel overwhelmed if you try
and learn everything at once so for
example you can start off by
familiarizing yourself with the
underlying principle and theory behind
plastic injection molding know how an
injection molding machine works and the
different parts of the actual M like the
core cavity Gates Runners spru parting
line and the ejector pins next learn the
actual process steps of injection
molding like melting clamping injection
Cooling and ejection then try to
understand the key parameters of the
particular manufacturing process so for
example for plastic injection molding
there's melt and mold temperature
injection pressure and injection speed
know how all of these parameters affect
the part quality know what an undercut
feature is and understand why classic
straight pool mode can't make it take it
a step further and understand the
various techniques used to create
undercuts such as side actions and bump
offs understand what tolerances can be
achieved what draft angles are and how
much to use and limitations such as
minimum and maximum wall thickness as
well as screw boss and whole diameter
and height finally brush up on a com
defects for the process such as short
shot syn marks and warpage and how to
avoid them in your part designs now
simply rinse and repeat for other
processes like CNC Machining and casting
I know better than anyone that it's
challenging as a student to learn solely
by reading a textbook or watching
YouTube videos so one of the most
effective ways that helped me deepen my
understanding of dfma exponentially was
doing a mechanical engineering
internship and finding a design oriented
research position at my University the
reason is this forced me to work with
other Engineers machinists and
technicians in the machine shop and
manufacturing plant while their feedback
was brutal and made me want to kill
myself at times I learned how they set
up and operate CNC machines using G-Code
and cam software how to utilize
different tools to make certain part
features and ultimately the best way to
optimize my part designs for things like
manufacturability cycle time and cost
now I've worked with plenty of Engineers
and what I've observed is not knowing
anything about dfma will make your life
and job extremely miserable if you're a
product design engineer the parts that
we design are constantly evolving in
real time throughout the product
development process Dimensions positions
and part features like holes screw
bosses ribs chamfers fillets are
adjusted all the time as the overall
system is finessed when I say finessed I
mean the system design is optimized for
fit Form and Function and everything
including PCB boards screws sensors
Optical components and cables are where
they need to be in the cad model
typically throughout the mid to late
stages of the product development
process every custom part that we design
is sent off to suppliers for quoting
tooling and dfma feedback let's just say
you designed a plastic injection moded
part and sent the design to your
supplier but you forgot to add draft
angles and included some undercuts the
supplier then comes back and says you
need to add a 1Β° draft angle on all
vertical walls and slightly modify the
undercuts so that the part can be
ejected and you're thinking to yourself
okay no big deal right you go back and
update the cad model and notify the
electrical and Optical engineering team
of these changes they freak out because
the 1Β° draft angle is going going to
affect the optical performance and
because you modify the undercut slightly
the components on the PCB board have to
be moved around to prevent Collision
this is just one example of how not
knowing dfma can cause a huge chain
reaction and significantly delay a
project in some extreme cases new
tooling even has to be completely remade
because the product design engineer
fully neglected manufacturability when
designing Parts this is a company worst
nightmare because it's a double whammy
that's both extremely costly and timec
consuming so hopefully by this point in
the video I've convinced you enough of
the importance of dfma and it's
something you'll consider from the
get-go when designing Parts whether
you're a mechanical engineer or
engineering student don't wait until the
mid to late stages of the product
development process for suppliers to
review your designs if you're a student
have another pair of eyes like a
machinist critique your designs as early
on as possible and frequently to get
their expert opinion now as mechanical
engineers we don't just work in silos
designing Parts all day believe it or
not we do interact with people from all
walks of life including other Engineers
marketing sourcing regulatory management
suppliers and customers that's why
communication might just be as critical
as dfma even though it's a soft skill
effectively conveying complex ideas to
your team and Technical information to
non-technical people is not easy but it
will enable you to get noticed at work
and streamline your career progression
now communication isn't just about
speaking it could mean writing clear and
concise emails and crafting engaging
presentations frequently working in
groups giving a lot of presentations and
taking a public speaking course as a
student will help you become a better
Communicator another soft skill that's
rarely talked about but is is so crucial
is creativity a huge part of a
mechanical engineers job is to innovate
and come up with design ideas and
solutions to challenging problems on the
fly a recent survey of 1500 CEOs
conducted by IBM indicated creativity as
the top skill to have for Business
Leaders the good news is creativity can
be developed over time as the science
shows by simply doing things you love it
could be anything from reading a book
playing an inst strument painting
exercising to playing games one of my
favorite creativity boosters is taking
any object around me and drawing
different views of it on a piece of
paper similar to how mechanical
engineers create technical drawings
using CAD software so there you have it
dfma communication and creativity are
the top three skills that benefited me
the most as a mechanical engineer once I
mastered these skills I received more
job offers my career progress faster and
I loved my job more of course there are
a lot more skills that are needed to
succeed in industry along with a little
luck and strategy now before I end this
video I just want you to know that
wherever you are in your career it
doesn't matter if your boss says you're
successful or if a performance review
says you're successful what matters most
is if you think you're successful and
the work that you do serves the overall
picture you have for your life many
Engineers including myself work so hard
at huge personal expense to get that
next big promotion only to feel entirely
empty once they got it so never only
focus on achievement but instead
fulfillment because success without
fulfillment is simply failure so always
remember that your health is your wealth
because nothing including your family
friends job titles how much money you
have in a bank will matter if you don't
have good health so never value your
work above your life and if your
employer doesn't like you just leave and
find one that does all right guys that's
it for today as always thank you so much
for watching and if you found this video
helpful be sure to smash the Subscribe
button and check out my video here where
I share some other skills that
mechanical engineers must know and I'll
see you in the next one peace
[Music]
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