All you engineers out there

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok i am thinking about taking a graduate level class next  semester to add to my 16 credit hrs (yes i am   ).  

 

Its one day a wk

 

Do you think finite element analysis would be a good thing to take?  Been hearing its kinda a necessity

[carguru]

It would definitely be a good class.  It is a tool used by many places to confirm designs and to prevent problems.

[siume99]

Definately suggested.  Very good to get the understanding of how/why things break.    What about Pro/E.  I think you mentioned you worked with AutoCAD.  Pro/E is a totally different beast.  Pro/E I think usually comes with Pro/Mechanica  (in house FEA software)  really cool.

 

side note....I'd take the class to see if you like FEA.  You might not like that portion of engineering. ???

[scooter70]

Yeah.  FEA is definitely key if you want to go into design.  It's not an easy course though.  I've taken a couple of courses through work and use the SDRC (I-Deas) FEA package but a couple of friends have taken it at U Michigan.  

Matt

[sk]

Yes, yes, yes -- take the course.  It's not really the idea of using the FEA software as much as just getting an understanding of FEA principles.  There are hundreds of FEA programs out there and they all have different interfaces, but most follow the same philosophy (although there are 3 or 4 different ways to attack the formulae).  It can only help your job prospects if you have at least a general understanding of FEA.  Be ready, though.  FEA is very formula-intensive.  If you haven't used your Calculus lately I suggest brushing up on it.

 

Also, like siume99 suggested, try to get some experience with solid-modelling software (or at least stronger ones than AutoCad).  Pro/E, Catia, I-Deas, and SolidWorks are probably the big ones in industry right now.  Pro/Mechanica can be bought with Pro/E, and most of the other ones have "resident" FEA programs as well.

 

 

Scott