Perspective. Once in a while it is beneficial to take a step back from the details and look at the bigger picture. As shown in the following articles, this can be helpful in creating a fundamentally efficient design and in deploying limited resources most effectively. It can also help an outlook on what skills would be valuable in progressing a career path. The last article is a slight departure to welcome you to 2010.
Self-Help
May the force be with you (and not against you). Understanding the fundamentals of how forces act can lead to clever design options; internal forces can be directed to benefit the end user. We used this design principal during the development of a lightweight helicopter grapple.
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, July 2009
Probability and Consequence
Risk-based analysis focuses resources on areas most likely to face problems. This efficiency can both save money and raise reliability. We have also applied the principles of systematic risk engineering during design and testing, and in a variety of industries
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, March 2009
Risk-Informed Decision Making
Mechanical Engineering Magazine, January 2010
Fun with Figures
An understanding of contracts and the basics of finance is important for engineers. It can be vital for understanding the performance of your company, for promotion, to manage projects, and to understand your clients. This article gives a British perspective.
Professional Engineering Magazine, December 2009
Christmas Turkey Trip Woman Home
We tend to enjoy Christmastime and not worry too much about its excesses. By now most of us are back into our regular schedule. One woman in Scotland went to an excessive length to prepare Christmas dinner and is only now ready to settle back into her normal routine.
BBC, January 2010