Prompt #6: The importance of a Mechanical Engineer

November 4th

By Ryan Ellis


It is safe to say that without Mechanical engineers, everyday life as we know it would not exist. Mechanical engineers have designed and built some of the most important inventions needed in modern life. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest branches of engineering. Really the only aspect of mechanical engineering that is consistent is that it involves at least one moving part!


Perhaps the mechanical engineering page on Ohio State Universities website says it best "Mechanical engineers are involved with the design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, control, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems - that is, any system that has a moving part!"A quote from Iowa State University sums up very well why mechanical engineers are essential to the function of society "Everyday conveniences such as refrigeration, microwave cooking, high-fidelity sound reproduction, transportation, communication, and copying are affordable largely because mechanical and other engineers worked together to make it happen." 


I choose my field because of the impact it has on others. The inventions and designs that mechanical engineers come up with everyday can have a very big affect on the society as a whole, and it is my goal to be a member of the inventors.

Prompt#8 Spring Lowering Monte Carlo

 By Dalano Bass

As noted in a previous post of mine, I own a G-Body Monte Carlo.  My father and I completed the task of removing, the coil springs on my car and I learned quite a lot about the mechanics of older style suspension. It turned out to be a learning experience about the do’s and don’ts with suspensions. The suspension system in a car does the following things.

·         Smooths out the ride

·         Helps maintain control of vehicle

·         Keep occupants comfortable

When restoring older cars, rust becomes our number one enemy. While my car's suspension didn’t have many rusted areas, my coil springs needed to be replaced. During this process I learned about the dangers of compressed springs. During the replacement of my parts, my father came across some difficulties. The springs that were placed were for cars with 22+ inch rims. I had no intentions on raising my car that height, so the springs needed to be removed. The springs were twice the normal size of the correct springs for my car. As a result, a typical spring compressor couldn’t be used to release the tension safely. As a result, the springs had to be heated by a torch and cut.

The right spring is twice the size as the correct size left screen.

The cutting process was a dangerous issue, due to the fact of the unreleased pressure on the springs. After the cut was complete the amount of pressure that was compressed within the spring, caused it shoot out from underneath the car. If the spring were to make any contact with anyone, bones would have certainly been broken. The springs were actually cracking the frame of my car. The front set of springs were the hardest to come by. These springs had spacers to make sure the springs wouldn't collapse. My father noted that the springs came from a truck and were not supposed to ever go on cars. Once they were removed the overall height of my car dropped approximately, 4 inches.

Requirements of a Mechanical Engineering Major

By Ryan Ellis

This just a snippet of the requirements 

for a mechanical engineer at MSU.

The academic workload related to Mechanical Engineering can seem daunting upon first glance. Classes such as Calculus and Thermodynamic can make the average student shy away from the major. I'll admit that when I decided to major in Mechanical engineering my first though was "How am I going to make it through this?" It seemed as though universities that offered mechanical engineering would just throw high level math classes at students until most of them would drop the major and only the highly gifted made it through.

After looking at the classes required of a mechanical engineer it becomes more clear that it's not all about math and physics. Being an engineer is more about applying the knowledge learned from those classes in fun and hands on ways. Senior electives such as 'Automotive Engines' and 'Turbo Machinery' helps one look past the scary calculus and dynamics to see the exciting future.

From statics to dynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, the road to being a mechanical engineer can seem long and challenging. In the end, the hard work will pay off. The satisfaction of completing the course work will be one of the best feeling you'll ever experience.

"Mechanical Engineering Requirements." (n.d.): n. pag. Michigan State University, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 31 Oct. 2015.

Prompt #5 Observing Community

By Ryan Loveland

Michigan State University Baja Racing

During my time at Michigan State University I joined the Baja Racing Team. They build a new mini Baja car every year. From designing the vehicle, it to welding the chassis together they build the entire thing. After the car is completed and has passed inspection they compete in tournaments and events hosted by SAE international. The events all include three major components: statics, dynamics, and endurance all of which subject the car to extreme stress.

The team represents themselves more

formally towards the general public than the team. You can see in this video “The Making of Cerberus 2014” that all of the members talking are dressed in MSU green collard shirts. However, when going to the shop it is much less formal in the ways they talk and dress. For the first week there was even a “jorts only rule” at the shop. The meetings are also informal

and just cover what’s going on and what’s next, and incase any of the members can’t make it, they always send out an email about the meeting.

Fixing My First Car

By Dalano Bass

My first car was a 1987 Monte Carlo SS. Being from a mechanical family, I knew I was going to have a sweet ride, but I had no idea what type of car. I received my car the Fourth of July during my sophomore year in high school. I wouldn’t actually receive my license until March of my senior year however. During that time, I had little to no interaction with my car. Stored at my uncle’s house for those two years, work did not commence until Christmas break of my senior year. I drove my car for the first time, one week after graduation.

Once my car came home I started with prep-work for paint.The version of my car is an Aerocoupe T-top Monte Carlo SS, one of the rarest models to find. Only 6,052 aerocoupe 87’s were made and even less models were T-top. Be that as it may, I had to repair my car for the road. Fortunately for me, my car came with the original 5.0 Liter V-8 engine, with amazingly only 52,000 miles on it. The body on my car had little to no rust, so my only challenge would be preparation for painting. In total, I’ve spent at least 2 days just sanding the car and applying body filler.

When I first brought the car home

Body filler added to dents and deep scratches, that will eventually be sanded smooth.

 Since this was my car, my father helped me but I was left to the majority of the task on my own. This resulted a lot of trial and error. The trial and error method however, is the best way I believe when it comes down to mechanic work. You learn what to do and what not to do. After all that sanding, finally painting arrived. Painting the car was my father’s job and we did it in our garage. After the first coat was sprayed, I wanted to go for the matte black look.

First coat of black, no clear

After many arguments, debates, and logical explanation on why I couldn’t keep the matte black, my father sprayed the clear coats. A total of 3 coats were sprayed and I was told it was for the best. As a result, polishing the clear coat could be finished by me. The more coats the less of a chance I had of burning through

Clear coat applied

the paint while polishing.

The final result, was worth it.

Jargon and Engineering: Talk Topic 2

By Ryan Ellis

The world of engineering has an imeasurable amount of terms and words that can have absolutely no meaning to virgin ears. Being lost in the conversations between professionals in the field of engineering is something I have first hand experience in, and only recently have I been able to decipher the terms and jargon they use.

 My father and his father before him are both engineering professionals. To be specific, my father leads a team of auto body welders for the Toyota Motor Company. Over fifteen years of experience working for automotive companies and component suppliers has given my dad a whole new vocabulary. Listening to conversations between my dad and work friends or other people that know the field was like listening to another language.