To ride or not to ride, that IS the question.

Many people find entertainment from going to an amusement park to ride the rides, specifically the giant roller coasters. I, for one am not a fan of these but can ride the smaller coasters with no problem. I do find roller coasters very interesting, intriguing, and innovative inventions. Each ride that is designed and produced must go through extensive testing and follow precise regulations. Mechanical Engineers involved with the making of these coasters must have safety at the forefront of their minds and must follow and abide by specific principles. With the roller coaster, safety outweighs the cost of producing the product by a landslide. If you think about it, once the coaster is made and put in place, after following all the regulations and rules, it will no doubt make a profit. It is a win-win situation for both parties because now there is a sweet coaster to ride and the Engineers are making money.

Time and precision need to be accounted for in a roller coaster project to correctly build and design the coaster. Bad consequences resulting from inadequate planning like injury and possibly death of riders have to be avoided at all costs. To avoid these situations the team working on the coaster follows the ethics they are supposed to and abides to the codes of Engineering. Also, not only is the coaster melodically and specifically designed in the beginning but all rides generally have daily and year inspections that must be performed.

While producing and bringing to life a roller coaster, Mechanical Engineers must abide by the ethics of Engineering. This is just part of the code found on, http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics,

“I. Fundamental Canons

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.”

Each and every one of these canons must be followed by all Engineers, including Mechanical Engineers who are involved with the making of roller coasters. These canons oversee the production of roller coasters. For example #5, "Avoid deceptive acts." A team of Engineers would not find it beneficial to anyone designing a roller coaster that is marginally close to the set standards of production. To avoid the design from being questionable, having enough cushion room within the plans are essential.

Ethics are definitely involved with the production of roller coasters and the teams of Engineers has the safety of the rides as a top priority. Teams meet the requirements then decide how much is too much for a rider who will be riding their coaster. The chances of an injury, let alone death is so significantly small when following all the rules, guidelines, and suggestions for riding a roller coaster.

Summer is just around the corner, amusement parks are opening soon. Get ready to go ride some coasters and experience a thrill of FUN!

Blog inspired by this article.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CD0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2F136.142.82.187%2Feng12%2FAuthor%2Fdata%2F2147.docx&ei=sT9MU-XgMaGF2QXWnIHYAQ&usg=AFQjCNGOLzVGKk1d-BaXWbGKknbDOLRReg&bvm=bv.64542518,d.b2I

 Pictures
http://www.coastercrazy.com/forum/file_attachments/Jonny%20Richey/2009122223511_Wildfire%20Blueprints.jpg,http://www.thecoastercritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Busch-Gardens-Williamsburg-2012-Verbolten-Roller-Coaster-300x168.jpg,http://javatoolbox.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/roller-coaster.jpg,https://www.cedarpoint.com/images/rides/maverick_airtime1.jpg

 

3-D PRINTING

Did you know that printing can be done in three dimensions instead of just two dimensions? You are probably used to printing out all kinds of information on paper either in black or color ink. Can you imagine someday maybe being able to print out anything you want? It could be a pen, water bottle, silverware, shoe, etc. the list goes on and on.

How does this innovative technology impact Mechanical Engineering?

As you may have noticed from previous blog posts, Mechanical Engineering is essentially the design of products, making sure they will work, and fixing problems. 3-D printing will and has transformed this aspect of the field. Now a Mechanical Engineer can use a 3-D print to examine and analyze the newest car on the market and all of its parts. Or a Mechanical Engineer can use the technology on the size of a original and improved tool they might be working on. It is a whole different story when you can have the object in your hands rather than trying to piece it together on paper or visually on a computer.

The 3-D printer is correlated with some sort of computer modeling program where the piece is calculated and constructed on. A file is made that is transported to the printer producing a three dimensional model. The piece is created by layers of various types of material usually plastic, maybe metal. Having the ability to now print in 3-D changes the mindset of a Mechanical Engineer. They now have to take into account that they could have their design, in hand, within minutes. Since the object of study can be available within minutes, Mechanical Engineers need to be selective on when they are going to print the model because price will be a factor. Price is a factor with just printing paper, can you imagine the factor it will be with 3-D printing? Companies will weigh the pros and cons for their company about 3-D printing to see if it is beneficial for their company and many limit or have some regulation to printing in 3-D.

I know of one company that has a couple of 3-D printers and I have seen them in person. I am not going to say the name but I know the company uses them to build prototypes of their designs. The employee I talked to while on a tour said it is great to have the product in hand while working on the device they are constructing.

A Mechanical Engineer who is familiar and understands how 3-D printing work will be valuable in the industry since the printers could also be related to and used in the manufacturing process. Mechanical Engineer(s) and Manufacturing Engineer(s) may work together, and understanding how 3-D printing works will make that collaboration smooth and effective in the business.

Influence of 3-D printing on public life?

When 3-D printing becomes cost efficient and affordable for every person to use and possibly own, huge changes in the public life will be made. Companies will have to consider that now people may be able to make whatever they want. Just think, what if medical personnel had these printers in their vehicles? The next time a cop does not have enough cuffs, they could print some out and use them. Or maybe the ambulance runs out of a medical supply and doesn’t have enough time to restock they could just print them out. What if they were installed in grocery stores, post offices, libraries, and bank?  Everywhere you turn could be impacted by 3-D printing.

One more way public life would be effected is through the laws and regulations that will be made for printing since someone could potentially make anything they wanted. This is going to be a mess for the government, lawmakers, and citizens.

3-D printing’s effect on private life?

Your home could be reconstructed with the access to a 3-D printer. Could you imagine being able to print out household appliances or parts for the appliance? No more making an extra trip to the store to find some random piece needed to fix something that is broken. Next time your lamp burns out use a 3-D printer to print out a light bulb. That is not possible now but might be someday.

Companies that use Mechanical Engineering techniques and employees would find themselves in a fierce competition with citizens and other companies. They would have to come up with a strategy to design and market their product better than one that could be made by a 3-D printer in a home. Because like the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0EJmBoLq-g, said, “Walmart in your home.” You might not have to leave your house someday (which would be sad if no one left their home!).

3-D printing technology is prevalent and present. Someday it could be right in your backyard or home!! Stop and think how 3-D printing could radically change the world you live in and you will be amazed.

Cool videos to watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aghzpO_UZE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrOt4R-kR2g

Information and ideas for this blog post gathered from these sources.

https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/manufacturing-processing/taking-shape-revolution-in-manufacturing
http://www.pit.edu/Blog/2013/10/3-d-printing-use-in-mechanical-engineering-careers/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0EJmBoLq-g

Pictures: www.matrixdynamics.com, 3dprintingsystems.com, www.phenoptix.com, shoulderhigh.com