HowMechanismWorks ?: What Skills Do Manufacturing Engineers Need?

Manufacturing is derived from the Latin word manufactus, means made by hand.Manufacturing Engineering is a branch of professional engineering concerned with the understanding and application of Engineering Procedures in Manufacturing Processes and Production Methods.In modern context it involves making products from raw material by using various processes, by making
use of hand tools, machinery or even computers networks, robots, machine tools, and materials-handling equipment.

It is therefore a study of the processes required to make parts and to assemble them in machines. Process Engineering, in its application to engineering industries, shows how the different problems related to development of various machines may be solved by a study of physical, chemical and other laws governing the manufacturing process. The study of manufacturing reveals those parameters which can be most efficiently being influenced to increase production and raise its accuracy.

Advance manufacturing engineering involves the following concepts :-

Process planning.
Process sheets.
Route sheets.
Tooling.
Cutting tools, machine tools (traditional, numerical control (NC), and computerized numerical control (CNC).

Jigs and Fixtures.
Dies and Moulds.
Manufacturing Information Generation.
CNC part programs.
Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS), Group Technology (GT) and Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM).
Robot programmers.

What skills do Manufacturing Engineers need?

1.Manufacturing engineers should have a high level of technical skills, which they use to plan, design, setup, modify, optimise and monitor manufacturing processes and adding important elements from mechatronics, commerce, economics and business management.. Since the basic principles of manufacturing engineering apply to all industries they can work in numerous sectors including food and drink, oil, plastics,machine tools and pharmaceuticals.

2.They work to produce high quality goods efficiently using the most cost-effective methods and with the aim of reducing the impact of production on the environment.

3.Not only does the factory need to produce a product, it also needs to produce it efficiently and be able to meet the demand for the product, and do so at the right cost, quality and delivery timeframe.

4.Manufacturing Engineering is probably the most flexible and marketable of all the engineering disciplines. In fact, many engineers that originally studied other engineering disciplines will end up practicing as Manufacturing Engineers.

5.Manufacturing engineers are designers, as well as analytical and creative thinkers. They can operate on their own initiative but also contribute as a team member working with engineers from various disciplines. Manufacturing engineers also work with other professionals, in areas such as finance and health and safety.

6.Responsibilities may also include: maintaining records; purchasing; and managing staff and budgets.

Manufacturing Engineer might be hired to following sectors :-

Automate a chemical manufacturing facility through computer integrated technology
Design circuit board manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve product quality
Develop the best assignment of machines and equipment to various manufacturing cells in discrete parts manufacturing

Develop and implement fabrication processes for nano-/micro-devices
Identify the most cost-effective material handling and facility layout alternative for an aerospace manufacturing company.