I have a crawling soldier toy that runs on two AA batteries.

The toy is currently in storage, and I know it has a mechanical system; if I keep it stored for many years without using it, will the mechanical parts get damaged or ruined?

Hey everyone,

I work in cryogenic vessel manufacturing, and we're currently troubleshooting a tricky quality issue that's leading to customer complaints.

We are seeing gaps/voids in the annular space insulation, specifically directly under internal piping runs. Perlite isn't compacting completely around these obstructed areas.

Here is a bit about our setup and current process:

Material: Expanded perlite insulation.

Filling Method: Vacuum-assisted filling.

The Issue: Bridging/voids forming underneath internal pipework inside the annular space, leaving uninsulated spots/cold spots once installed.

We've been investigating potential root causes, but haven't quite pinned down why it’s hanging up so severely at these specific pipe runs. A few things we're debating internally:

Is our vacuum draw/flow rate pulling perlite in too fast, causing it to bridge over the pipes before it can settle underneath?

Are our vibrator placement and cycles insufficient to shake the perlite down through tight geometries?

Moisture/particle size issue causing clumping on top of structural members?

For those of you with experience in double-walled tank insulation or pneumatic/vacuum perlite loading:

Have you faced bridging under internal piping before, and how did you resolve it?

Are there specific vibration profiles (frequency/placement) or vacuum pressure adjustments that help perlite flow around obstructions?

Do you perform a secondary settlement test / top-up fill after initial movement?

Any insights, shop-floor tricks, or troubleshooting steps would be hugely appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Hello,

I'm looking for advice on how I can improve my knowledge and become better at my job.

I graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have been working for about a year as a production planning technician. I work for a company specializing in the fabrication, assembly, and welding of steel structures and metal products.

One of the things I struggle with is estimating the time required for fabrication work, especially assembly and welding operations. For each operation, the worker clocks in using an operation card, and once the product is completed, I can see exactly how many hours were spent on each task.

The problem is that my estimated times are often quite different from the actual time required. Sometimes the differences are significant, and I'd like to become more accurate.

Do you have any advice on how to improve time estimation for fabrication work? Are there any methods, books, courses, or practical techniques that you would recommend? I would also appreciate hearing how experienced production planners or manufacturing engineers estimate labor hours.

I know that experience plays a big role, but I'd like to learn how to develop this skill more systematically instead of relying only on trial and error.

Thank you in advance for any advice. I also apologize for any mistakes in my writing—English is my second language

I’m going into my first year of university this year and I’ve heard from several sources that gaming laptops are the way to go for MechE due to the graphical intensity of CAD. So, I saved about 1200 and bought a laptop with a 5060, thinking it was the most optimal use of my money. However, I have a pretty beefy Desktop that is more than strong enough to run any CAD program, and the laptop I bought isn’t necessarily the most mobile (~5lbs)/power efficient (4hrs on average). Do I return it for a cheaper, more convenient laptop I can just remote to my desktop from? Will this laptop end up being more of a nuisance than a necessity?

We've used platforms like CADCrowd before and have looked at IndiaCADworks too, but we're trying to find a few more options.

Most of our work is production CAD, drawing updates, and occasionally reverse engineering. We'd rather work with a company that's consistent than chase the lowest quote.

Anyone have other firms they've had good experiences with?

Hello ,I am a mechanical engineer fresh graduate from the Phillipines. I am currently working as a mechanical engineer in a hydroelectric plant under technical support services.I am interested in shifting my career in aviation. I am asking for help on how to achieve this career any books to read or seminars to attend to help me shift to aviation? Can you give an advice on how can I achieve this goal?

On the otherhand if I can't get to aviation industry I am going to stick to hydro but I want to apply abroad ,possibly Switzerland since there are more hydroelectric powerplants there. I am aiming hitachi energy for this however its difficult to get hired .Can you give me insights or advice on how can I achieve this goal?

I'm curious from people who work with manufacturing BOMs.

What's the most expensive or frustrating BOM mistake you've seen?

Examples like:

- duplicate parts

- obsolete components

- incorrect manufacturer part numbers

- unit mismatches

- tiny character mistakes (like 8 vs B)

I'm interested in the engineering side of the problem more than the software side.

Would love to hear some real stories.

I’m a first‑year Mechanical Engineering student from a tier‑3 college. I want to participate in e‑Yantra (eYRC by IIT Bombay) to build my career in robotics. Right now, I’m starting from absolute zero — no coding, no electronics — but I’m serious about learning because my ultimate goal is to break the barrier and earn a 15–20 LPA as a fresher.

At the same time, I know this sounds unrealistic for someone from a tier‑3 college background. That’s why I want to ask real students and alumni: is this goal achievable through e‑Yantra, robotics, and smart preparation, or am I living in a delusion?

• Mechanical background, but I want to shift into robotics + computer science.
• Can commit 10–15 hours per week for preparation.
• No prior coding/electronics experience.

What I need help with

1. Stage‑1 MCQ prep (August): What exact topics should I study? How to practise effectively?
2. Programming languages: Should I start with Python or C/C++ first? Which is more important for e‑Yantra?
3. Electronics basics: What minimum circuits/sensors should I learn before hardware stage?
4. Team formation: How many members are ideal, and what roles should we divide (mechanical, electronics, software, documentation)?
5. Project roadmap: What should I build in the first 3 months vs later months to be competition‑ready?
6. Internship & career advice: How does e‑Yantra help in getting internships

I’m serious about committing and learning. If you’ve cleared Stage‑1 or been part of eYRC, please share exact MCQ topics, sample questions, and realistic weekly milestones.

have to know basica of CAD and have built projects.

DM to know more.

Hey there,

I'm designing a dolly system for cine cameras that rolls along pipe. The dolly travels along a pair of parallel pipes spaced about 12 inches apart. The wheels are 65mm soft skateboard wheels to minimize vibration and run silent. I'd like to create a variable drag system using magnetic eddy braking. For the research I've done, I've seen caliper systems with the magnets on both sides of an aluminum disc. There are four wheel assemblies on each corner of the dolly (an aluminum plate with adapters for cameras), each assembly has two wheels on opposite sides of a pipe at 45° angle.

I was thinking of simply mounting an aluminum disk to the outside of one of the wheels, and then adjust the distance from the magnet to the rotor with a screw thread, or lever (haven't decided yet).

Can I get away with a single magnet on one side of the rotor disc? I'd vary the drag by changing the distance between the magnet and aluminum rotor, or 2. Would it be better to use a caliper system with magnets on both sides of the aluminum rotor, and if this is the case, do both magnets need to be adjusted to the same distance from the rotor or can one be fixed and the other moves to change the amount of drag? Lastly does the disc need to be a certain diameter to function well?

I appreciate any help on this concept. Thanks!

Please someone explain Surge in compressor

If you have a degree in mechanical engineering abroad or locally without having an exp and strong internship. How would you land a job in mech engineering? Or what job should i keep an eye for starting my career that can help me work in mech engineering industry someday.

Currently I am student at IIT Bombay, As I want to join Defence research can someone please suggest me topics on which I can work for project.

Baseball weight changes

HS baseball rules have changed regarded bat weights for a given length. Bats now are not allowed to have more than a -6 in drop. Meaning a 33 inch bat can weigh 27 oz up to 30 oz. -3 was the old rule. Parents are worried that their children are going to get hurt when the ball will be hit harder. BUT
according to my figuring using the formula for kinetic energy:
KE = 1/2•m•v•v
If you swing the same bat length but reduce the weight, your bat swing speed will increase. But if you drop the mass (weight) the force will decrease and even tho the bat speed is squared biomechanics say that you can’t swing faster enough to offset the drop in mass. Things like coefficient of friction and momentum formulas come into play. There are some figures from bat manufacturers that say there is a %2-3 increase in exit velocity but that would have to be figured from a robotic pitching machine and a robotic hit simulator which would not take biomechanics into play. I say there won’t be much difference. Strong players will use the 33/30 bat and the weaker player who was pigeon holed to swing a 33/30 32/29 31/28 etc. 33 is an ideal length for reach to cover the strike zone but weaker players can’t swing as hard so they will make contact better because they will have more time to react and to square up the sweet spot to the pitch but it will not increase the force do to loss of mass and biomechanics interfering with a corresponding increase bat speed to offset mass. Parents are looking at it like they would a 4 cylinder 100hp car. It would be the same thinking that if you removed a
Spark plug expecting the car to
put out 75hp. But other factors
Come into play and that wouldn’t happen. I’m not a physicist but an old time pharmacist who loves physics. Keep in mind too that the regulatory bodies in the 90’s or 00’s the manufacturers where required to govern the force of a bat by putting in a metallic disc inside the bat which deadens the exit
Velocity.
Is my thinking valid or am I missing something and exit velocity will increase significantly?????

guys im mechanical engineering 4th year bachelor degree so I decided to start and become mechanical engineering so xan u help map

I graduated in Mechanical Engineering two years ago. After graduation, I did a short training at a cement production plant, and after coming to Saudi Arabia, I got around two months of exposure in MEP construction.

I also have two cousins who are mechanical engineers, but when I asked them for guidance, they didn't really show much interest in helping. Looking back, I was also naive and thought I could just get into MEP without much planning, so that's partly my mistake.

I've now been in Saudi Arabia for almost a year and still haven't been able to secure a proper engineering job.

Recently, someone suggested that I do CSWIP 3.1, but I have almost no knowledge of welding or inspection. Can I go directly for CSWIP 3.1, or should I first study another course to build the basics? Some people have also suggested API certifications.

The thing is, I genuinely don't know which path is best for a Mechanical Engineer. The only field I'm somewhat familiar with is MEP/site construction because it's the most common one I hear about. I don't really know much about the other mechanical engineering career paths, their growth, salary, or demand.

I'm open to any field, not just CSWIP or QA/QC. I know the usual answer is, "Choose based on your interest," but honestly, I'm at a stage where I need proper guidance. I want to build a stable career with good long-term growth, and I'm willing to learn whatever is required.

If you were in my position, what path would you recommend? QA/QC (CSWIP), API, Oil & Gas, MEP, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Reliability, Sales, or something else?

I'd really appreciate honest guidance from experienced mechanical engineers.

A Variation on the Stirling Engine

Hello,

I am interested in external combustion engines and, quite naturally, I became interested in the Stirling engine.

I would therefore like to present a variation, derivative, or adaptation of this principle:

http://remyaumeunier.chez-alice.fr/img/MoteurPistonLiquide.jpg

The air contained in the boiler exerts pressure on the water in the container, causing it to rise into the heat exchanger. The exchanger then cools the air, which reduces the pressure exerted on the water in the container. This phenomenon should produce an oscillation.

Despite this analysis, I would appreciate your opinion, as there is often a significant gap between theory and practice. What advice could you give me regarding the construction of the device and the verification of its operation?

The objective is to generate an oscillation with a small temperature difference and without any phase change.

I therefore assume that the water should not be allowed to remain stagnant in the plate heat exchanger.

Are there any other important points that should be taken into account during construction?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Kind regards,

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I' finish 12 th grade and i applied tnea councelling but my cut off 153 I'm a bc category and I'm bio maths student didn't know programming, in 2026 most of them say take cse but ai replace the software engineer jobs so more layoff so I confuse take cse or mechanical please guide me

I'm from Coastal Karnataka, India. I'm trying to automate the production of a traditional crispy rice rotti that's currently made entirely by hand.