European Springs Web Team, Author at European Springs Ireland

The connection between engineers and mechanics can sometimes be unclear, and although they work together to put all the pieces of industry puzzles together, they are both very separate entities. In terms of automotive engineers and mechanics, engineers work on vehicles in a broader sense and are involved in everything from designing and developing new vehicles to improving performance. On the other hand, mechanics diagnose and repair vehicles, typically in a garage or workshop.

But what are the main differences and how do they work together to complete the entire process?

What are the Responsibilities of an Automotive Engineer?

Engineers in the automotive industry tend to not only work for auto manufacturing companies, but for engineering firms, governmental agencies and other industries and firms that require the skills and expertise of an engineer. Many engineers work on the actual creation of vehicles, assisting in the act of designing the systems and all components involved. Some engineers assist in analysing the systems and any problems that may occur to hope for improvements or changes.

Engineers are vital to the manufacturing industry and all the processes that connect to it, from ongoing oversight to ensuring the automobile is safe for public use. As a branch of vehicle engineering, not only do automobile engineers work in the conventional car design and manufacturing, but they are equally as important in aerospace and marine engineering, which can incorporate skills and elements of safety, electronic, mechanical, electrical and software engineering. These skills are all assets of an automotive engineer applied from design to manufacturing, and operations of trucks, motorcycles, trains, and all subsystems within.

What About the Responsibilities of an Automotive Mechanic?

Automotive mechanics usually aren’t involved in the design side of the industry and usually work in repair shops or garages, either at a shop which repairs vehicles or with a dealer that works with a specific brand. Mechanics in this sense usually work in direct correlation with drivers – in the way that engineers don’t.

Mechanics work to identify a source of a problem with aim to fix the issue. They can discuss the operations of a vehicle, and use their knowledge to ensure the vehicle operates to optimum level. A part of an automotive mechanics job is to also make sure that the vehicle is safe for road operation, which is similar in certain ways to the responsibilities of an engineer. Many mechanics can specialise in a certain area, but with the advancement in technology, the job role of a mechanic has evolved to needing a wider spread knowledge, including electronical technology knowledge. Vehicles now possess modern technology which gives extra demand to the workers in this industry.

Does the Training and Education Differ?

Engineers tend to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related industry, but many will progress onto further education to allow them to specialise more closely in the industry. Mechanics in this industry usually need to have a minimum of high school education or equivalent, but unlike an engineer, they will receive extensive training in their area. This will require years of hands on training and tutoring to be ready to take on the industry fully.

How Do the Two Work Together?

Not only in the automotive industry but any type of engineer, whether electrical, civil or mechanical, technically needs the aftercare of a mechanic to keep the industry striving. An engineer could be said to be the backbone behind the automotive businesses, needed for design and specifics in creation of the technology, although mechanics will also know basics of their industry, and vice versa to synergise the entire process smoothly. Although the two jobs are different, and some may complicate the two sometimes, they would not work without each other.

An engineer needs to apply skills and principles of physics and material science into the design, manufacturing and analysis of the mechanical systems, although the tradesmen in mechanics will utilise their skills to build or repair the machinery alongside.

Without either of these job titles, the industry could not be what it is today, and both are equally as important as one another. At European Springs Ireland we are proud to be a part of the industry, and not only do we work in conjunction with the automotive industry, but in many related businesses, such as Electronics and Hydraulics. If you would like to know any more about our skills and services including manufacturing torsion springs, tension springs and compression springs, we would love for you to:

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Referring to an intelligent system, artificial intelligence seeks to recreate the human brain and provide a complex but efficient technology that will innovate the way technological industries work. In recent years, artificial intelligence has seen a big development, with more self-aware robots that are increasingly more capable of performing difficult tasks.

With the evolution of the Internet of Things and the rise of automation, artificial intelligence will play a growing part in all processes of design and manufacturing involved in a wide range of engineering industries.

IoT, The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is allowing for an interconnected world, where devices connect everyone from everywhere. This connection allows for engineers from all over the world to collaborate and minimise errors in projects. This ease of collaboration also permits for students to easily develop their skills by learning from the best, regardless of where they are situated.

Technological advances have transformed manufacturing, which has increasingly more cognition. The Internet of Things is opening the way for manufacturers to simplify all processes, with the transfer of information made easier in a continuous flow. This will permit real-time and informed decisions to be made, and for engineering projects to benefit from the input of several industries across the globe.

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution, which relates to the rise of artificial intelligence and robots. With the integration of these machines, their cognitive and physical abilities are progressively being developed and innovated. Robots are increasingly more and more able to perform repetitive and heavy tasks, which allows them to perform at high capacity in automated and sophisticated environments.

Behaviour-based robots are permitting an Artificial Intelligence revolution, with engineering industries becoming more organised and more able to perform at higher, optimised rates.

Automation

In manufacturing, for example, this rise in automation and increase in robots with better cognitive skills will transform the industry in varied ways. Robots will be able to function semi-autonomously, providing support through a wide range of tasks in all projects. They will be able to draw expert knowledge from cloud-based databases provided by the Internet of Things’ connectivity.

They will be able to recognise all components within specialised equipment and apply different behaviours according to necessary tasks to perform and apply the correct tools. Through the database, robots will also be able to rapidly correct errors and provide suggestions to engineers, so that these are able to perfect their projects.

Through analysing global databases and applying that knowledge, robots will be able to identify opportunities and optimise all tasks within engineering projects and design. In this rapidly changing and evolving environment, engineering expertise is essential in order to adapt to technological developments.

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Pressings and springs are important for many types of industries even though you might not think it, and there are several products which are great to use! There is a large variation of springs to choose from and different types of machinery to create the perfect spring. Stamping presses are used in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, medical and construction fields.

This blog is to highlight why stamping presses are good to use in the spring industry.

What Is It?

A stamping press is a metalworking machine tool that can precisely shape or cut metal to a consumer’s specifications. The process involves forming, drawing, trimming, blanking, and piercing the metal with a die. The process can be used for both sheet and coil forms of metal. Stamping presses are the modern-day equivalent of a hammer and anvil.

How They Work

The press is composed of a bolster plate and ram. The stamping process works by forming the metal between two halves of the press tool. The upper part is attached to slides of the press, while the bottom part is attached to the stationary bolster bed. The larger presses have a die cushion integrated in the bolster plate, which helps apply blank holder forces.

Importance of Stamping Presses

Stamping presses are high quality, effective and inexpensive. This developed technology allows companies and individuals to easily create many different metal products, which is why many businesses use them today.

Different Types of Stamping Presses

There are several different types of stamping presses to suit the best results of the job provided.

Mechanical presses use an eccentric drive, and are run by a motor which runs the flywheel. These types of presses operate at a steady pace and can easily produce metal products. This type uses press force progression, meaning the die guides the pressing action.

Hydraulically Driven Presses use hydraulic cylinders to move the ram up and down. They use constant press force during the stroke, utilizing air or liquid to create the pressure.

Single-Acting and Double-Acting Presses. Single-acting presses have asingle ram whilst double-acting presses have a subdivided ram. Its clamped to the top portion of the stamping die, which generates the up and down movement when metal is fed through the die of the press.It works by firstly unrolling the metal from a coil and putting it through a straightener. Once cut, the metal can be shaped to any form.

Nongeared presses are used for when the workload is applied to the bottom of the stroke, for operations such as, blanking, perforating and shallow forming.

At European springs Ireland, we have years of experience working at the highest standard. We are proud to be a market leader in the industry environments of spring and high speed press technology. We deal with any of our materials in thickness of 0.05 to 4mm. European Springs efficiently manufactures either a single piece or millions of pressings if needed to. We offer services throughout Ireland, giving the same level of service as our clients in the UK and continental Europe.

Get in contact with a member of our friendly team to help you with any enquiries you have.

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Industry is constantly evolving has been over thousands of years, from the Bronze and Iron Ages all the way to the Industrial Revolution and the modern day. We have seen some truly amazing things come out of the industrial sector, and it’s important to understand how things we take for granted were initially developed.

As such, we’ve come up with a small list of scientific breakthroughs that were incredibly important in the industrial sectors, but also to modern day society.

The Internal Combustion Engine

If this wasn’t invented at the time, then we might not be able to see the magnificent automobiles that we see daily. The internal combustion engine is a heat engine that uses thermodynamics to achieve the correct results.

The internal combustion engine is constructed so that when fuel enters the engine block, it reacts with the air inside and is then ignited by a spark plug, which then provides power to the camshaft, and this the transmission and the vehicle chassis.

This type of engine was invented in the mid 1800’s, and it wasn’t until the late 1850’s when it was used commercially for the first time. After this, Nikolaus Otto perfected this engine and developed the Otto engine, which was a four-stroke internal combustion engine. This became the starting point of the invention of the automobile, which was vital since there are now over one billion vehicles on the road across the world.

The Steam Engine

Even though this type of engine is used as frequently as it was in the past, it was still a massive breakthrough when it was patented by Thomas Savery in the late 17^th century. The steam engine was an external combustion engine, meaning that the fluid that undergoes work is separated from the products that undergo combustion.

When the steam engine was put into commercial use, it was generally used as a water pump and was then developed into an atmospheric engine, which used half as much coal as the leading engine at the time.

After this, more people began to understand the possibilities that could be achieved through steam engines; this is when they became popular in steam locomotives, paving a new age in transportation across the country.

Steam power was one of the most efficient ways of providing energy to a process, and it was only beaten by electrical powers in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, meaning that it was a massive breakthrough indeed.

The Birth of Electrodynamics

When comparing this to what we see in the modern age, this is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs. This began in the early 19^th century with Sir Humphrey Davy inventing the first incandescent light by supplying a current from a battery through a strip of platinum.

After this, William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet and then, in 1831, Michael Faraday developed his theory of electromagnetic induction, which is the principle that is used to operate transformers and all modern electrical generators.

In the 1860’s, Michael Faraday added to this theory and came up with the four Maxwell equations that used to govern the behaviour of electricity and magnetism. These equations have helped us to develop some of the world’s most widely used products, from smartphones to the very best televisions.

The industrial sector is one of the world’s most important sectors, as it’s a sector that is constantly developing. As specialists within this industry, we understand how important the industrial sector is, which is why we are so proud of being a part of it.

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As a paid job incorporating training both on and off the job, apprenticeships lead to nationally recognised certifications. From electronics to construction and to other engineering industries, apprenticeships allow for apprentices to acquire a wide range of skills.

For both the apprentices and the businesses, apprenticeships are conducive of new skills and aptitudes, providing engineering with highly skilled and experienced workers.

Qualified Workforce

Through apprenticeships, engineering industries train an extremely qualified workforce with optimised skills. In addition, having a workforce who trains at a company ensures that the skills developed by the apprentices match the needs of the specific industry.

Future company needs can be addressed early on through apprenticeships, as businesses can source skilled future employees and managers from within. An apprenticeship can cement a young person’s career choice, which provides engineering industries with necessary resources for their continued development.

New Talent

Engineering industries require new ideas to ensure all processes are not only optimised but also revitalised. Bringing a new, fresh approach to each project and to the workplace itself, apprentices help in thinking about details that industries might not have considered before.

Showcasing their willingness and desire to learn, apprentices have a wide variety of backgrounds and aptitudes. With the probability of transmitting their excitement and eagerness to your staff, apprentices also highlight your concern over corporate social responsibility, which is likely to ensure future employees and customers’ desire to work with your business.

Increased Staff Loyalty

When employees are trained within a company, they are likely to be highly motivated and engaged with the well functioning of the business. Their commitment and support of the business that helped to train them are clearly shown in their work.

In your company and in all engineering industries, investing in apprentices ensures they associate their career with your business and will stay within it longer. Showcasing that you believe and invest in young people’s future guarantees that they are happy to work for you and that they, in turn, invest in you.

And for Apprentices?

Similar to companies, as an apprentice you will see a multitude of career skills become available to you and learn while you work and earn money. Your confidence in your own aptitudes will grow as you gain new skills, ensuring that you are aware of realistic job expectations and the required experience.

As you interact with experienced professionals in your preferred engineering industry, you will gain a better understanding of the field and which role better suits you and your skills. Communication and time management are also other important skills that you will develop, and hands-on experience will help you to stand out in the job market.

Choosing an apprenticeship to begin your career path can open a wide range of possibilities and knowledge, particularly important if you don’t wish to undertake a university degree.

At European Springs Ireland we believe in investing in young people and developing their skills. We understand the importance of apprenticeships both short and long term, and how these positively impact both our company and apprentices.

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British Science week; an entire week where people from around the world get together to embrace, indulge, and celebrate in all aspects of science. From 10-19 March the world is brought closer together, by the wonder of science and everything it includes; from the biology of bees to the science of springs!

With events happening all over Britain, there are plenty of opportunities to stimulate the mind and participate in several exciting activities and events. There is still time to get to an event, as the festival is running all week, and you can even organise an event yourself via the BSA. Even if you aren’t planning to visit this year, at least you have plenty of time to prepare for next year. We have pin-pointed a few ways that you can get involved in the week of British science celebrations!

Penguin Watch!

The citizen science project at the BSW this year, is all things penguin! They have collaborated with ‘Zooniverse’ on a visual project, to be able to monitor penguins at over 100 sites! With the help of you and the rest of the public, the plan is to annotate thousands of images of penguins and their habitats from over the past 3 years. By doing this and taking part in the penguin watch, you can assist in understanding the species and improving conservation. Your analysis of the images can speed up the process from the extraction process. You can get started by visiting their website www.penguinwatch.org. The citizen science project differs every year, but no matter what you can be involved!

Run or Organise an Event

The British Science Week wouldn’t be able to happen if it wasn’t for people, like you, being pro-active and running activities. It isn’t as difficult as you might think to take a little time and effort, and you could then be influencing and teaching aspiring scientists. There are a few points you should consider before delving into organisation. Consider what your main objective is, who you audience is and what your teaching subject is. Other important factors are your budget, location, and promotion.

Organising an event or activity for BSW can be a lot of fun, and doesn’t have to take up a huge chunk of your time. Even if you don’t have much experience, and think therefore you shouldn’t take part; well your wrong! We have many resources to help you well on your way, and can even provide presenters and teachers if you require. There are many more helpful tips on the official sites, online guide. No matter the size of your plans; from a science quiz for your students to a hired hall and a seminar; the limits are endless.

Sponsor BSW

The BSW provides an amazing stand for stimulation and support, reaching over a million participants every year. They offer a range of corporate partnerships, such as an associate sponsorship, or a sponsor of a specific activity or component of the week. This could be including the competitions, behind the scenes or digital badges. Being a sponsor and helping the British Science Week comes with many benefits, ranging from great branding opportunities to employee engagement.

The week-long celebrations don’t just commemorate and rejoice the world of science, but all aspects of technology, maths, and engineering. By engaging everybody and getting people involved in these fascinating worlds, BSW can educate and entertain the world, one step at a time. We have only gone into minute detail of what the British Science Week has in store for you. You can find out much more on their website.

As specialist spring manufacturers, we understand the need to spread the joys of engineering and science. The future of science lies in the hands of the next generation, and as we bring a true spring into the wonders of engineering, we can educate the world on the industries.

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Author: European Springs Web Team

The Internal Combustion Engine

The Steam Engine

The Birth of Electrodynamics

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