Why mechanical engineers cant repair carsOnly
Three Kinds of Work
There are but three general classes of work. They are:
WORK WITH PEOPLE; = managers
WORK WITH THINGS; technologist
WORK WITH IDEAS. = designers/engineers
Each individual is fitted by nature to do one of these better than the others and there will be one class for which he has the least ability. In the other one ofthe three he might make a mediocre success.
Engineering involves designing combined with material property, models to predict material behavior under certain condition and creative thinking
Engineering= drawing + mathematics +thinking,
Technology involves making things with tools , materials and skills to bring into reality the design of engineers
Technology Is a product
Engineering is a process
Engineering = applied science +mathematics
Technology =applied science + tools
Engineering specialization= design +calculation(use of head)
Technologist specialization= use of tools(use of hand)
From the above, we can see that mechanical engineers don’t build and repair stuff anymore as one does years ago. Instead, they draw plans and input it in a computer using basic computer aided design software such as solid works and auto cad. Such designs are sent to technologist for production. There is no automobile production plant in the country so automobile engineers are not utilized. The few designs end up in the journals wasted since no automobile plant to produce their design. We mainly import vehicles or their spare parts. Use of tools is the spec ialisation of a technologist. Hence, the average Nigerian expect an engineer to assemble or repair cars.
ILLUSTRATION
There is need to design more fuel economy vehicle. An engineer applies scientific law.
Massflow rate= velocity * area
Velocity of automobile is determined by the driver, so he tries to alter the area of fuel delivery system to test if would have an effect on the quantity of fuel dissipated per unit time.. He applies differential calculus (calculation)to reduce the area of the fuel system. Next he draws his proposed shape on a paper(manually or using computer) and instruct the technologist to produce his new design. After it is produced, the system is testrun .
From the above, engineers are creative thinkers who find ways to solve problem
Technologist are part of the family who execute engineers thought
Without the engineer, there would be no change or invention
Without the technologist, an engineer idea would remain on paper
Both need each other.
In most big factories, engineers are not expected to handle tools. Technologists are not expected to design . companies hire engineers to do design work and hire skilled labour to do skilled work.
But some engineers know how to do repairs. Yes, such kmowledge was not learnt in classroom. It was either learnt during industrial training days or before got admission to study engineering. Similarly a technologist can learn how to design . learning both is an advantage to the individual as it ensures work security and more efficiency the same way a footballer can learn how to be a center back and a left back (e.g Chelsea victor Moses)
It should also be noted that the curriculum for engineers have changed. In the early days, engineers had little knowledge in management. Hence, the furtherest he could be promoted was a factore manager. An engineer would spend many years working while a fresh graduate who studied economice, accountancy and management are made general managers. Today, engineers are taught managerial courses like operational research,engineering economics, production planning etc. this is to enable him make managerial decision such as planning inventory, optimising production process, predicting depreciation rate to guide company when to purchase a new machine etc.-a shift from core engineering to management. This makes an engineer more versatile and a technologist less
