metalfab to mechanical engineerimg

metalfab

Hi guy's I'm a metal fabricator by trade and currently doing c&g autocad and looking to progress from this would mechanical eng be a suitable option and if so is it difficult.

feedback is much appreciated

enda1

Are looking at a full on level 9 Masters in Mech Eng?

If yes, then it will be very difficult.
How's your mathematical aptitude?
Why do you want to do it, is there a particular job you're looking at which requires the degree?

Turbulent Bill

metalfab wrote: »

Hi guy's I'm a metal fabricator by trade and currently doing c&g autocad and looking to progress from this would mechanical eng be a suitable option and if so is it difficult.

feedback is much appreciated

It really depends on what you want to progress to, and what you're interested in. I'd look at a Mech Eng syllabus from any of the colleges just to see what the general content is.

Academically a mech eng degree would be a big step up from fabrication, but that's not to say you couldn't do it. There's a whole spectrum of courses from the very practical to the very theoretical, hence you need some idea of where you want to end up skills-wise.

metalfab

im looking at the dt006 in DIT seems interesting, what type of mathematics would be involved? Im just looking to further my cad and progress to employment

CatFromHue

What level of Maths did you do at School?

metalfab

just very basic maths in school and for my fabrication trade, It was'nt a problem for me at the time I just studied hard but would just like a insight of the basic's because i would'nt want to drop out

thanks for feedback

CatFromHue

I meant did you do honours, ordinary, or foundation maths.

In the place I used to work one of the fitters (I think he was a fitter either way he was a trades person) was doing a Mech Eng course part time. He would have been out of school a while at this stage too but it is possible.

metalfab

I just did ordinary maths for my junior cert and ordinary throughout my apprenticeship, I pretty much sailed through it and got a merit overall certificate in my fabrication:)

CatFromHue

Usually most University Engineering courses require Honours Maths, I don't think this is the case with all of the I.T.'s. I did Honours Maths and then went on to do a Cert course in Mech Eng in Athlone I.T. Most of the guys in my class hadn't done Honours maths and so found it hard but I didn't. On the other hand they'd done Engineering classes in school and I hadn't so I found that hard and they didn't.

The Maths may or may not be a problem but it will be a some modules will be a problem to some degree for everyone. Most colleges now have a maths learning centre to help students. Other colleges have Access courses which would be aimed at bringing students up to the level required to start the course.

Certainly a Mech Eng or third level in qualification in conjunction with your trade would/should put your CV looking pretty good. I don't think anyone here can tell you exactly what to do next though.

What you could do is start looking at courses that appeal to you and then ring and/or email the head of the course to get talking to them about your background and what they think could be any stumbling blocks.

limiter12

Im a metal fabricator and have gone down the same route as your considering. A few points you should consider.

1. Maths do require alot of work but the level progresses over the course of degree.

2.Do an honours degree if possible from the start you will end up doing a level 8 add on course any way.

3.Work hard mature students are generally in top tier for grades.

4. Give a trip to various campuses before hand to get a feel for them.

5. With a mechanical engineering dont believe the hype in regards salary. I went back as fabricator, earning 1.5 times what i would earn as mech engineer graduate which is madness given the time and money spent. salary vs hourly rate and overtime.

Dermighty

Cork Institute of Technology, Ordinary level degree (FETAC Level 7):

Year 1, Semester 1:

• Creativity, Innovation and Teamwork (basic teamwork exercises and an Autodesk Inventor project (3D design))
• Introduction to CAD
• Mechanics I (Physics)
• Welding (Arc, Mig, Tig and Oxy welding)
• Materials and Processes (Learning about how different materials are formed, casting processes etc)
• Mechatronics (Pneumatic circuits)

Year 1, Semester 2:

1. ICT for Engineers (Basic IT skills like Word, Excel etc)
2. Thermofluids I (Physics)
3. Workshop I (Lathes, Milling machines, with specific pieces to make)
4. Introduction to 3D modelling (Autodesk Inventor exercises and project)
5. Technological Maths (Complex numbers etc)
6. Elective module: usually 1 choice (makes no sense!) which is Introduction to Auto Engines, literally an introduction to car engines.

Year 2, Semester 3:

1. Technological Maths 2 (Differentiation, Integration and applications of both)
2. Workshop II (same as Semester 2, more advanced work, specific pieces to make)
3. Mechanical CAD and Design 2.1 (Autocad with a project to do)
4. Manufacturing Engineering and Quality (manufacturing processes (a lot of overlap from materials science in semester 1, the quality section is purely maths and theory based)
5. Mechanics of Materials (Physics)
6. Elective module: I did Electro technology and Control, basic electrical circuits and also PID process control (using software)

Year 2, Semester 4:

1. Mechatronics 2 (machine maintenance, electropneumatic circuits, basic logic)
2. Mechanics of Machines (Physics)
3. Material Science (grain structure, crystal size, eutectic points, all that stuff)
4. Thermofluids II (Physics)
5. 3D Analysis and Design (Autodesk Inventor, sheet metal fabrication (in Inventor), project to do also)
6. Technological Maths II (Matrices, further calculus (partial, implicit, explicit etc))

Doing those 4 terms will get you a FETAC level 6 Certificate in mechanical engineering (not worth the paper it's printed on I'd imagine), another year after will get you the level 7 (ordinary level degree), another year will get you a level 8 in process and plant technology or advanced manufacturing and 2 years added on to the level 7 will get you a sustainable energy or mechanical engineering level 8.

It's all very doable if you attend and study. Maths is completely unavoidable and if you don't think you'd be able for it then don't do any engineering course.

The ordinary level 7 degree is the most hands on course you can do, it's a great basis for a level 8 (mixing theory and practical, whereas a straight level 8 has no practice and all theory).