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What is a Mechanical Design Engineer?
In a nutshell, mechanical engineers design the mechanisms of how various machines, including automobiles, work. They design, manufacture, modify, and maintain not only automobiles, but also all types of machinery and equipment, including industrial robots used to assemble automobiles.
What is structural and mechanical design?
It is said that a car is made up of 30,000 parts for a gasoline-powered car and 20,000 parts for an electric car. Each of the various shapes and functions can be divided into two main categories in designing each part.
♦ Structural Design
The design of a non-moving object, such as the screws and body of a car, is called structural design. Among these, designing the exterior of a product is called chassis design (kyotai).
Structural design should take into account strength calculations and aerodynamic drag of the product.
♦ Mechanism Design
Designing motors and other moving parts such as drive units is called mechanism design. Mechanism design requires calculating theload applied to the shaft and theamount of heat generated by friction.

Difference between CAD, CAM, and CAE
While mid-career candidates are primarily expected to be able to use CAD andCAE software tools, engineers who focus on the big picture, such as optimizing systems and managing engineering teams, will find that familiarity with all three types of software, including CAM, will allow them to differentiate themselves in mechanical design, and will be able to differentiate themselves in the design process.
Knowledge of the interaction between CAD and CAM software helps improve the design and analysis phases when planning products and structures.
What is CAD (Computer-Aided-Design)?
Known as cad, it is a tool for computer-aided design. There are two types of cad: 2D cad for designing flat surfaces on a computer and 3D cad for designing three-dimensional objects. They are used for designing, visualizing, and simulating new products.
<Famous Tool Names>
– AutoCAD
– CATIA
– Fusion 360
– NX
– SolidWorks
What is CAE (Computer-Aided-Engineering)?
A software tool for simulating design data prior to actual manufacturing. Simulated loads and constraints can be used to simulate the effects of various conditions on the design of a product or structure; it is typically used to analyze and optimize designs created with CAD software.
<Famous tool names>
– Abaqus
– Ansys
– CFX
– Comsol
– Fluent
– HyperWorks
– LS-DYNA
– Matlab
– Nastran
– Simulink
– STAR-CCM+
What is CAM (Computer-Aided-Manufacturing)?
CAM is a software tool for automating manufacturing processes. By instructing machines to use CAD-generated data (shapes, machining conditions, tolerances, etc.), CAM can increase the production efficiency of parts and optimize the use of materials.
<Famous tool names>
– Solidworks CAM
– CAM works
– HSM
– Mastercam
– Powermill
– Fusion360CAM
Recommended for mechanical engineers in the automotive industry
Become a mechatronics engineer!
As Japan is a manufacturing leader, automobiles have led the automotive industry in terms of safety and functionality. In recent years, it has become commonplace for automobiles to be connected to the Internet, for example, through automated driving.
IOT¹, which connects all things to the Internet, is accelerating, and automobiles are becoming more and more electronic, including connected services.
As a result, there is an increasing demand for mechatronics engineers who have knowledge not only in mechanical design but also in electronics, computing, and software-related fields when designing automobiles.
IOT = Internet of things
What is a mechatronics engineer?
Mechatronics engineers are involved in all aspects of product development from design and testing to manufacturing, including aspects of electronics and computing as well as mechanical (mechanical engineering).
With the increasing performance of electronic devices, modern mechanical systems are increasingly incorporating electronics andcontrols. Automobiles are one of these devices, with navigation systems, ECUs (electronic control units), and all other types of electronic devices increasing, increasing the demand for mechatronics engineers who are familiar with these fields.
A wide variety of things are designed and developed by mechatronics engineers using the basic principles of electrical, mechanical, software, and control engineering, from consumer goods such as microwave ovens, self-powered cars, and smartphones, to industrial applications such as CNC machine tools, robots, MRI and X-ray equipment.
What skills are required?
Knowledge of the four major dynamics (mechanics of materials, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and mechanics of machines)
will be fundamental to structural and mechanical design.
Design skills
While appearance is important, the design should also be designed for ease of use and functionality for the user.
Knowledge of mechanical design software (CAD, CAE, CAM )
It is necessary to learn how to use design tools in order to realize designs that take user friendliness, etc. into consideration.
Communication skills
Collaboration with various overseas partners is increasing in the automotive industry. As globalization progresses more and more, communication with engineers in other countries and projects with overseas partners increase, the ability to communicate in English is also required.
<Recommended Qualifications for Mechanical Engineers>
Mechanical Design Engineer Examination
Japan Society of Mechanical Design Industry
CAD Application Engineer Examination
Association for the Promotion of Computer Education
CAD Practice Career Certification
Costec Education, Inc.
How do I get a job as a mechanical engineer? What is the career path after that?
Many of you may be considering your next career step in the automotive industry, which is becoming increasingly CASE compliant.
For current and aspiring mechanical engineers, we offer a wide range of career options to suit your needs, includingapplication engineers, project managers, and product engineers.
Turnpoint Consulting specializes in the mobility industry, dealing with companies that provide a wide range of other mobility-related services as well as automobiles.
Please feel free to apply for a free career consultation. We will support your job search by offering career options, guiding you to private jobs that even major agencies do not offer, assisting you with interviews, negotiating annual income, and assisting you with resignation procedures.
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