Engineering Institute of Technology
Professional Certificate of Competency in Mechanical Engineering
This professional development course is designed for engineers and technicians who need to understand the essentials of mechanical engineering.
Start date
21 January 2025
Enroll by 14 January 2025
Course duration
3 Months
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
Effort
5-8 hours per week learning Fortnightly 90 minutes webinars
Short Course Overview
Online
Online Mechanical Engineering
Professional Certificate
Duration: 3 Months (excluding orientation)
Mechanical engineering, in simple terms, deals with any equipment that moves; this is what makes it perhaps the broadest and most diverse engineering discipline. The mechanical discipline primarily derives its breadth from the need to design and manufacture everything from small (even nano) individual devices, such as measuring instruments, to large systems such as machine tools and power plants.
Easy installation and serviceability are critical to the success of a mechanical system, as is operational and design flexibility. Understanding parameters governing the selection and design of mechanical systems is essential for identifying suitable systems for a particular application.
To place all these issues in context, a good working knowledge of mechanical principles combined with a solid understanding of critical concepts such as force, energy, and heat is essential. Mechanical power transmission is discussed from the point of view of gears, couplings, and bearings.
Proper selection and sizing of these critical mechanical components are vital to ensure optimum performance and improved efficiency of a mechanical system. Recently, fluid engineering has undergone significant change, and therefore, a detailed overview of the underlying principles of fluid power and its applications is vital. The theory behind heat transfer, the various heat transfer mechanisms, and the design of heat exchangers are also examined.
Any study of mechanical systems would be incomplete without including a review of mechanical vibrations. This will help you in monitoring, controlling, and analyzing vibrations and in conducting fault diagnoses in mechanical systems.
The field of maintenance has evolved into a separate and highly specialized function. An effective maintenance regime helps identify failure symptoms and enables the initiation of corrective measures for preventing unscheduled and sometimes catastrophic failures. Lastly, a discussion on the numerous standards, codes, and regulations governing mechanical systems helps put the whole course into perspective.
Certification
To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars. Detailed summaries/notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.
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Short Course Overview
Course Information
Duration: 3 Months (excluding orientation)
Mechanical engineering, in simple terms, deals with any equipment that moves; this is what makes it perhaps the broadest and most diverse engineering discipline. The mechanical discipline primarily derives its breadth from the need to design and manufacture everything from small (even nano) individual devices, such as measuring instruments, to large systems such as machine tools and power plants.
Easy installation and serviceability are critical to the success of a mechanical system, as is operational and design flexibility. Understanding parameters governing the selection and design of mechanical systems is essential for identifying suitable systems for a particular application.
To place all these issues in context, a good working knowledge of mechanical principles combined with a solid understanding of critical concepts such as force, energy, and heat is essential. Mechanical power transmission is discussed from the point of view of gears, couplings, and bearings.
Proper selection and sizing of these critical mechanical components are vital to ensure optimum performance and improved efficiency of a mechanical system. Recently, fluid engineering has undergone significant change, and therefore, a detailed overview of the underlying principles of fluid power and its applications is vital. The theory behind heat transfer, the various heat transfer mechanisms, and the design of heat exchangers are also examined.
Any study of mechanical systems would be incomplete without including a review of mechanical vibrations. This will help you in monitoring, controlling, and analyzing vibrations and in conducting fault diagnoses in mechanical systems.
The field of maintenance has evolved into a separate and highly specialized function. An effective maintenance regime helps identify failure symptoms and enables the initiation of corrective measures for preventing unscheduled and sometimes catastrophic failures. Lastly, a discussion on the numerous standards, codes, and regulations governing mechanical systems helps put the whole course into perspective.
Certification
To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars. Detailed summaries/notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.
What will I learn?
Course Curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Mechanical Engineering Basics
Introduction and basic concepts
Units for engineering quantities
Interpretation of mechanical drawings
Friction – importance in mechanical systems, types, static and dynamic friction coefficients
Module 2
Engineering Materials
Stress-strain relationship
Properties of engineering materials: strength, hardness, ductility, and toughness
Thermal processing of metals and how it affects their properties
Ferrous and non-ferrous alloys
The common failure of modes of materials: Fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion
Module 3
Mechanical Design
Basic principles
Factor of safety
Static equilibrium
Design for static strength
Threaded fasteners
Keys and keyways
Riveted joints
Design for fatigue strength
Module 4
Gears and Bearings
Gears: Terminologies, types, ratios, and gear trains
Gear selection and gearboxes
Troubleshooting gear problems
Bearings: Loads, types, selection and troubleshooting
Installation guidelines
Module 5
Mechanical Drives
Belt and chain drives
Mechanical couplings
Hydrostatic drives
Hydrodynamic drives
Torque converters and fluid couplings
Clutches: Types, performance, and selection
Brakes: Types, performance, and selection
Module 6
Prime Movers
What is a prime mover?
Internal combustion engines
Electric motors
Hydraulic and air motors
Gas turbines
Mechanical variable speed drives
Hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders
Comparative merits/demerits of different prime movers
Primer mover selection criteria, applications
Module 7
Fluid Engineering
Concepts: Viscous flow and Reynolds number
Piping, selection, and sizing
Pumps and valves: Types and applications
Fluid engineering symbols and diagrams
Analysis of piping systems
Seals, fittings, flanges gaskets and O-rings
Mechanical seals: Types, selection, and maintenance
Module 8
Theory of Heat Transfer
Laws of thermodynamics
Thermal cycles
Heat exchangers: Types, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Heat pumps
Air conditioning
Heat: Conduction, convection, and radiation
Module 9
Mechanical Vibrations
Single degree of freedom system
Terminologies: Amplitude, phase, and frequency
The natural frequency of vibration
Multiple degrees of freedom system
Vibration measurement: sensors, analyzers, and interpretation
Use of vibration as a condition monitoring tool
Troubleshooting and correcting unwanted Vibrations
Module 10
Manufacturing and Production Systems
Metal production – foundry process
Cast making and metal melting
Die and precision casting
Heat treatment (hardening and softening)
Hot and cold working of metal
Presses
Numerical control
Machining and metal cutting
Broaching, shaping and sawing
Basics of welding and types of welded joints
Brazing
CAD/CAM
Rapid prototyping
Module 11
Maintenance
Objectives, reliability, and availability
Breakdown, preventive and predictive maintenance
Standard practices and tools
Lubrication
Factors influencing equipment downtime
Hazardous failures
Condition monitoring methods
Non-destructive testing and inspections
Planning and inspection schedules
Module 12
Mechanical Engineering Codes and Standards
Need for standardization
Mechanical engineering standards
Overview of standards
Benefits of standardization
ISO 9000/1
Six-sigma
Course prospectus
Suggested Short Courses
What Our Students say about this short course
A Power, Australia
The online webinars were great.
Programme Instructor
Tom Neillings
Tom started his career as an engine fitter in the RAF. After leaving the RAF Tom worked in oil and gas North Sea projects. During this period he gained valuable experience and knowledge of diesel power generating systems operating in harsh environments. Tom continued his career in South Africa with a short period in Saudi Arabia. Tom’s down-to-earth and practical, yet entertaining approach makes him a sought after speaker and instructor.
