Yes, that is my point exactly. Design engineers that don't understand materials and processes and fabrication procedures are bound to a. over build, wasting time and materials b. make costly or deadly mistakes c get lucky or be on a team of people with the materials, process and fabrication expertise, and actually listen.
One of my examples of integration of design, function, materials, processes, fabrication, functionality and yes, even beauty is the frame on my BMW R75/5. I don't think it has an extra ounce of material, yet it is incredibly light, strong, functional durable, and to my eyes, a work of art. I had mine painted with a 2 stage aircraft paint over 30 years ago, when clearcoat was unheard of except in the aircraft business. It is still a work of art IMHO. There are MB related examples also. Why should shop guys have to fix or hide the errors of incompetent engineers? Again, I am not flaming engineers, just pointing out the weakness of many I have come across. I am myself an engineer, although i have never wanted the P.E. ball and chain of legal responsibility. There are many competent engineers. It is, if anything, a condemnation of engineering curriculum in college. My point is that an engineer who has a good understanding of materials, process and manufacturing will make better decisions. And yes, I am biased. I taught material and processes and manufacturing at the college level for several years. If even a student engineer is going to attempt to make welds on a vehicle, they jolly well ought to make enough practice welds to become somewhat competent before attempting a weld on a vehicle. To me that case was irresponsibility of the (engineering) faculty advisor. I learned to weld under an Ex WWII Marine and later ex DI. He taught us to weld. All the students hated him, but I loved the class because he had no tolerance for slackers. Yes, I was scared of him too, but he earned my respect, and later doled out compliments where they were due. I don't consider myself a welder, but if I am going to make a weld, I will run practice beads until I get a tolerable level down again. Yes, it was an engineering course, Ag E to be exact. Yes, they dropped the course when Andy retired from the university. Engineering students for the last 15-20 years don't learn to weld by requirement. Some still do on their own. My favorite Aerospace Engineer is a guy who was first an A&P mechanic. I am confident knowing there are guys like him designing commercial aircraft. I am in awe of Jim Cathey. Jim is to me a consummate engineer. A competent designer in his specialty, and a tinkerer in all other areas of mechanics/physics/engineering. Not arrogant. At 01:33 AM 5/15/2008, you wrote: > > I didn't see one decent weld on the whole tube > > frame. Those guys are practicing engineers today. Scary! > >As a rule, engineers don't tend to do the welding on the >products they design professionally. We have people for that! > >I have personally made some of the worst welds I've ever seen. >But I try not to let that take the fun out of it! > >-- Jim > > >_______________________________________ >http://www.okiebenz.com >For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ >For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com Loren Faeth _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
