What Are the Different Types of Mechanical Engineering Services?

Mechanical engineering services come in three broad categories: construction, design, and repair. Some companies specialize in mechanical engineering designs of metal components and/or manufacturing systems and processes. Other firms deliver repair services that are usually on-site to cut down on costs and downtime for their client facilities. Still other mechanical engineering services providers consult on construction designs, as well as the design and installation of mechanical systems in everything from light commercial to large industrial plants. This field is usually highly regulated to promote safety and the interests of the public at-large.

Designing and construction assistance offered by mechanical engineering services firms can involve entire engines, power plants, manufacturing assembly lines, and vehicles for all purposes and of all sizes. Designs often include an analysis of all types of mechanical systems and machine tools designs. Mechanical engineers usually use computer-aided engineering design tools in robotics, aerospace, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, and the production of medical devices. Mechanical engineering services firms that help construct facilities often must perform structure analyses to determine materials stresses, as well as custom design work for plants and manufacturing process facilities.

On-site repair mechanical engineering services may include industrial shaft recoveries that avoid expense of removals, on-site machining, and cold repair of cast iron and other metals components. Additionally, thermal metal spraying of industrial tolerance components can help replenish heat-shielding surfaces, repairs can be made to worn propulsion components, and line boring can be performed. Laser alignment services offered by repair firms can align rotating equipment to protect from vibration and excess wear on bearings. Specialists in all types of metallurgy, steam and diesel mechanics, and many forms of welding are often in demand at such firms.

The mechanical engineering profession is regulated by jurisdictions around the world in order to license only those who have the proper training. Standards are strict in many areas. Most governments consider engineering a profession that requires licensure before services can be offered to the public.

People who are interested in becoming a mechanical engineer and providing mechanical engineering services will usually need to complete the appropriate coursework at an accredited engineering college or in distance online courses. Offerings include fundamentals in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and mechanics, machine tooling, and manufacturing engineering technologies. Additionally, mechatronics instrumentation, pneumatics, control theory, and materials engineering are a few of mandatory courses. Mathematics classes are required, including calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and differential geometry, among others.