FUTURE OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Audio: Future of mechanical engineering

Talking about the future always makes me excited. Recently I was asked a question on Quora regarding the future of mechanical engineering, and I want to share my vision of the future with you. I expanded my original answer and created several illustrations to illustrate some of the concepts better. Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong; the time will tell.

Introduction

Like every other area, the future of the mechanical engineering field depends on multidisciplinary technological progress. At this stage of development, hardly any field is left that is not bounded to the other one.

Let us imagine that there is significant progress in the development of new AI algorithm achieved. On the other hand, a new material was developed that can be manufactured less expensive than the standard materials with less impact on the environment.

The impact on mechanical design engineers would be through updated CAD software capabilities (new AI algorithm), leading to significantly cutting down the time of new product development for life-saving equipment. Furthermore, newly developed material was also used for manufacturing the life-saving equipment.

These two developments lead to 50% less expensive life-saving equipment with less impact on the environment than legacy materials and CAD software. This is a hypothetical case to show collaboration between different disciplines with an impact on crucial products for humanity. But similar examples have happened and will keep happening.

The current stream of thoughts in any field is driven toward more sustainability and a cleaner future. And mechanical engineering is no exception. Through the advancement of the interdisciplinary field, here is what I see that will happen in the future of mechanical engineering.

Design capabilities

The future of mechanical engineering regarding design capabilities might be:

CAD (computer-aided design) software are already extremely powerful tools that mechanical engineers are using for faster and more reliable design. I see that in the future, DFM (design for manufacturing) will be incorporated into CAD workflow as a standard function.

Basically, when you start your design, you define the manufacturing technique, material, and quantities, and CAD software will suggest improvements for design improvement to reduce the costs and increase the quality of the designed part. Furthermore, I see this extending to DFX, where “X” stands for A – assembly, Q – quality, V – value, S – service, etc.

CAD software will have increased capabilities regarding material selection. For a long time, CAD software contained the material libraries from which mechanical engineers could choose materials. I think CAD software companies will invest more time in developing material databases with more material properties, information regarding sustainability, current prices, processing information, etc.

Further integration of simulations into CAD software. I believe that in the future, there will no longer be a distinction between FEA and CAD software. CAD software will have all the capabilities of any significant FEA player in the game. So I think that everything is going in the direction of reducing the number of different tools needed for design verification and actually going in the direction of improving the workflow and efficiency by using all required tools under one roof.

Integrating international environmental standards in CAD software as standard features for checking the designed product’s environmental impact. Not optional.

VR and AR are used in engineering design. VR and AR are capabilities inside the CAD software already existing, but it is still not accepted/used as the day-to-day industry norm. Imagine creating 3D models in AR directly in the place where a product is intended to be used. I believe that this will happen in the future.

Better generative design algorithms and day-to-day use of generative design optimization – more affordable solutions for a broader audience.

Use of AI to learn about technical product documentation. AI is an extremely powerful tool that can process amounts of information that humans cannot. I believe AI tools will be developed to learn from previous engineering projects and, based on them, create and develop engineering documentation like drawings, reports, etc. A mechanical engineer, in that sense, will be responsible for setting up correct data in the modeling stage and afterward checking AI-generated documentation.

Let us be more creative and assume that one day it will be enough to describe the product. Then, AI will generate possible solutions with necessary CAD data and engineering documentation.

All stated above, in the future, I see it as one software with integrated modules. As needed, the user could subscribe to any of the modules and use only the ones that he needs. I would say that the subscription modules will no longer be monthly-based but rather hourly, daily, or weekly. In that way, mechanical design engineers would get the needed tools easily for a fraction of the price.

From a collaboration point of view, I see that the collaboration between different departments will be more synchronized with the AI-driven software’s help. For example, the chemical engineer will import data from his experiments inside of the software; the software will automatically compare your data to user requirements, check the compatibility with the materials that have been chosen, etc.

I see one central data collection software that will ensure that all departments are aligned and informed about the current status of the new product development process.

New material development

I think that new material development will always be the future of mechanical engineering. So new materials that can be produced with a minimal effect on the environment and can be used in a wide range of applications will always be interesting.

Some of the examples:

New materials for space exploration.
New biocompatible materials.
Cleaner energy production.

Bioengineering

The future of mechanical engineering regarding bioengineering might be:

In this aspect, multidisciplinary efforts will be needed, and mechanical engineering will definitely have its role.

Exoskeletons, prosthetics, less invasive surgeries, and human-machine merging are all areas where improvement will be made.

3D bioprinting – we will reach a stage where you will go to your doctor, who will 3D print you a new heart. For this to happen, many different fields have to work together. Mechanical engineering will contribute through the design, manufacturing, and development of new materials. For example, the development of new biocompatible materials for scaffolds.

Manufacturing

We have already witnessed so many breakthroughs in manufacturing, which will still keep happening. The future of mechanical engineering in this regard might be:

More efficient manufacturing processes through AI data processing,
new 3D printing technologies,
further development of 4D printing,
and new manufacturing technologies. Who knows what the future will bring us here…

Aerospace/aeronautical engineering

The future of mechanical engineering regarding the aerospace/aeronautical engineering might be:

space exploration,
colonization (other planets),
the asteroid mining industry,
tourist space travel,
flying cars,
hypersonic aircrafts,
supersonic jets,
propulsions (for example, nuclear thermal rocket engines),
unmanned aerial vehicles with higher levels of autonomy, etc.

Automotive industry

The automotive industry will keep going in the direction of electrification and autonomous driving. The automotive industry is a big driver of innovations and definitely will be one of the drivers of the future of mechanical engineering.

Service and Repair

Use of AR for servicing and repairing complex machinery. An operator will get live instructions on how to proceed with the service or repair.

Closing words

The possibilities for the future of mechanical engineering are so great that it is hard to think about everything that could happen. We might have cities in the ocean, robot pets, twerking robots, lightsabers, helping robots (in houses, hospitals, warehouses, etc.), and who knows what not.

The only one thing is for sure: the future is exciting for anyone involved in mechanical engineering.

This was my opinion on the future of mechanical engineering. What do you think? Did I miss anything? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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