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    1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer
    1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer
    1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer
    Ebook193 pages2 hours

    1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer

    By Percival Marshall

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    About this ebook

    Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateSep 19, 2016
    ISBN9781473353213
    1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer

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      1001 Mechanical Facts Made Easy - A Handbook Of Simple Mechanical Knowledge For Everyone Interested In The Work Of The Engineer - Percival Marshall

      I

      FACTS ABOUT THE WORK OF THE ENGINEER

      Agricultural Engineering.—Agriculture is one of the most important industries of our country, and it depends more and more on the engineer for its successful development. Steam and motor ploughs, tractors, traction engines, reapers, threshing machines, milking machines, and dairy machinery, have all invaded the farm, and electricity is rapidly becoming one of the farmer’s best friends. This all means work for the manufacturing engineer who makes agricultural equipment, and increased engineering knowledge for the farmer himself. A visit to the Royal Agricultural Show, or to one of the important local shows, will reveal how much the modern farmer is dependent on the engineer for the economical and efficient cultivation of his land, and handling of his harvest.

      Aviation.—The conquest of the air has brought an entirely new field of interest and occupation for the engineer. The manufacture of aeroplanes is now a large industry in itself, and provides endless opportunities for technical ability in design and constructive skill. It provides work for the engine builder, the instrument maker, the sheet-metal worker, and the rigger. The Royal Air Force, and the commercial flying companies require a large staff of competent mechanics for the maintenance and overhaul of the planes. At Halton Camp, Wendover, there is a splendid technical training school for Royal Air Force mechanics, where the various trades are taught, and theoretical instruction is given. It offers a fine opening for the air-minded youth with a mechanical bent.

      Chemical Engineering.—This is a very specialised branch of engineering work, but of considerable importance as may be gathered from the number of important concerns engaged in the manufacture of chemical products on a large scale. A considerable amount of engineering plant is used in such works, and the engineer is an important member of the staff. Allied to this field may be mentioned the many undertakings concerned with brewing, distilling, soap manufacture, paper making, and similar industries, all dependent on the productions and technical knowledge of the engineer.

      Civil Engineering.—The work of the civil engineer comprises the design and construction of railways, harbours, docks, piers, bridges, waterworks, river dams, irrigation schemes, and similar undertakings of public utility. It requires considerable knowledge of the design of structures, of materials of all kinds, of the machinery to be employed on constructive work, of geology, and of finance. The work of the civil engineer may take him to all parts of the world, where cities and ports, and transport are growing, and where the natural resources of countries are being developed. The name civil engineer arose in the early days of engineering science, when engineers were chiefly of two kinds, those engaged in military work—the Royal Engineers—and those engaged in work for the benefit of the civil population.

      Constructional Work.—This involves the use of iron and steel for structures of many types—buildings of all kinds, roofs, bridges, piers, pontoons, and similar constructions built-up mainly of joists and girders and steel bars. The modern skyscraper building, framed in steel, is a notable example of the constructional engineer’s work, while re-inforced concrete construction is another kind of work which comes within his field.

      Consulting Engineers.—The consulting engineer is a specialist of great experience. He may practice in connection with civil engineering, or in marine, hydraulic, electrical, waterworks, or other well-defined fields of technical achievement. He may be called in by a Government or Municipality to design and supervise the construction of an important public undertaking. He makes plans, prepares specifications, and sees that the work is carried out correctly and within the prescribed limits of cost. He advises on the suitability of alternative schemes which may be under consideration, and he may be called upon to give expert evidence in matters of dispute involving arbitration or legal proceedings. By reason of his wide knowledge of the conditions and results of various undertakings, he may be able to give valuable advice which an engineer with more restricted experience could not offer.

      Electrical Engineering.—A branch of engineering which has grown enormously in recent years, and is still developing rapidly. It may be divided into two main fields of activity—the generation and distribution of current for lighting and power purposes, and the manufacture of plant for power stations, and for the utilisation of the current which they supply. The power station side of electrical work is a career in itself. It, again, may be divided into two branches, the supervision of a large power station containing plant generating many thousands of horsepower, and the planning and laying of many miles of cables or mains for the distribution of the current so generated. On the manufacturing side there is no limit to the machines, instruments, and appliances required for the use of electricity. Current is required for driving machinery, for lighting, heating, and for a thousand and one industrial and domestic purposes. Electric traction is yet another field for the engineer, both for railway and road transport.

      Gas Engineering.—The production of coal gas for lighting and heating is still an important and flourishing industry, despite the competition of electricity. A modern gas-works is full of engineering plant of many kinds. The large gasometer is the outward and visible sign of the existence of a gas works, but round the base of the gasometer are installed coal-handling plant, furnaces, coke ovens, conveyors, tanks, pumps, and engineering workshops. The laying and maintenance of many miles of gas mains is a big responsibility in itself for the gas engineer, while he is also concerned with the maintenance of the gas supply at a standard quality, and with its efficient application to the numerous industrial and domestic applications for lighting, power, and heating and cooking, on which his advice is frequently sought.

      1940.—Sydney Harbour Bridge. One main span of 1,670 ft.

      1840.—Stephenson’s Britannia tubular bridge, Menai Straits. Two 230 ft. spans and two of 460 ft.

      Heating and Ventilating.—This is a specialised branch of engineering of very wide application. Apart from its industrial outlet in the heating and ventilating of factories and workshops, there are many kinds of public buildings, institutions, and hotels, where the advice and equipment of the expert in this field are of value. Ventilation is of great importance in industries where noxious fumes and dust are prevalent, and in some industries the maintenance of a suitable atmosphere and temperature is vital to the success of a particular process.

      Instrument Making.—Although this may not be strictly regarded as the work of the engineer, every kind of engineering involves the use of measuring or recording instruments of one kind or another. The instrument maker is therefore an important auxiliary to the engineering industry. He may specialise in optical, electrical, photographic, or physical apparatus; the materials and workshop equipment are much the same in each case, but each and all require a high degree of accurate workmanship, and knowledge of scientific principles. Engineering plant is being run more and more on the basis of exact knowledge of the behaviour and performance of the individual units, and the scientific instrument is becoming more and more a feature of the power-house and factory workshop.

      Marine Engineering.—Assuming that the construction of marine engines may be regarded as the work of the mechanical engineer, marine engineering may be defined as the management of the propelling machinery and other engineering plant installed in a steamship or motor ship. It ranges from the handling of the machinery in a tug or river launch, to the enormous responsibility resting on the shoulders of the chief engineer of Queen Mary or other crack liners. The machinery of a big liner or cargo boat is of a very varied nature. The chief item is, of course, the main engines or turbines and boilers required for propulsion, but the auxiliary plant may include plant for electric lighting, refrigerating, condensing, ash disposal, fresh water supply, and heating and ventilation, to which may be added the steam steering gear, the derricks for handling cargo, and the steam winches for anchoring and mooring. In a motor ship the winches and derricks are operated electrically, with current from the generating plant in the main engine room. Telephones and electric bells may even come within the responsibility of the engineering staff. The chief engineer is subject to the authority of the captain, but otherwise he is king in his own domain, and ranks very high in the service. He is assisted by a staff of watch-keeping engineers, from two to twenty or more, according to the size of the ship, these engineers being graded in duties and pay. They may include specialist engineers for the refrigerating and electrical plant. On ships carrying frozen meat, and cargoes of fruit and other perishable produce, the refrigerating engineer has a very responsible post. Marine engineers have to possess Board of Trade certificates of competency, which call for a suitable apprenticeship training in a works where engines are built, and a period of actual experience at sea in a junior capacity. Two classes of certificate are granted, one for the home trade, and the other for foreign service. The home trade certificate is less exacting in its requirements, and covers service in ships trading round the coasts of Great Britain, and across the English Channel as far as Brest on the French coast. The foreign service certificates are graded as second engineer, chief engineer, and extra-chief engineer, and are granted on the results of very searching examinations. A post as chief engineer does not necessarily immediately follow the holding of a chief engineer’s certificate. There are many holders of such a qualification who are running as second and third, or even fourth engineers, until such time as they are able to obtain the looked-for promotion. The extra-chief’s certificate is the mark of a thoroughly experienced man, with first-class technical engineering knowledge.

      Mechanical Engineering.—The work of the mechanical engineer comprises the design and construction of engines and machinery for every conceivable purpose. It may be the mighty steam engines of a 50,000 ton steamship, of a large electrical power station. textile mill, or pumping plant, or the petrol engine of a motor car, or the miniature compressed air engine which propels the destructive torpedo. It may be the construction of cotton or woollen spinning and weaving machines, printing machines, saw mill equipment, fire engines, laundry machinery, or the hundreds of machines of different kinds used in manufacturing trades. It may be the building of locomotives and traction engines, or the making of machine tools which themselves produce all kinds of machines. If it is the making of engines or machines, it is the work of the mechanical engineer. It requires not only considerable knowledge of the principles of engineering design, but also a complete acquaintance with the work of the foundry and the machine shop, and the organisation of production methods to ensure the building of machines which shall work efficiently

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