Techdigitalweb – Mechanical technology is one of the most crucial fields of study and work that you need to know about. A person who studies this subject is going to play a critical role when it comes to developing and manufacturing mechanical parts, equipment, and systems. Without mechanical technologists, our industries would not have grown as much as they haven.
If you are interested in this field, you have to know everything there is to know about it. Unfortunately, you might not get the explanation that you need from school or the people in your life. Well, you do not have to worry because we are going to tell you everything there is to know about this subject. So, make sure you keep reading until the end to truly understand what this subject is.
What is Mechanical Technology?
Mechanical or mechanical engineering technology is the process of applying technological developments and engineering principles to create many different products, including machinery and equipment. A person who studies this subject will heavily focus on designing and manufacturing useful machinery based on technology, which is why becoming a mechanical technologist is quite tricky.
Now that you know the mechanical technology definition, you should also know who mechanical technologists are. People who work in this field are typically known as mechanical engineering technologists or technicians. They work by helping mechanical engineers when it comes to designing machinery, equipment, and products.
You can think of mechanical technologists as mechanical problem solvers in a company. Why? Well, simply because they are the ones people will run to when something is not working properly in a piece of machinery or product that has been manufactured. Mechanical technologists are troubleshooters of ongoing manufacture and maintenance of automated equipment and machinery.
One of the things that make mechanical engineering pretty tricky is because they need to apply current technology principles to be able to design and troubleshoot any issue in a machinery product. Some of the things they focus on include the product design, material, and the whole manufacturing process.
If you want to pursue a career in this field, you will be glad to know that almost every industry will need you. Mechanical technologists are crucial in a wide variety of specialties, including aerospace, energy, manufacturing, automotive, petroleum, industrial design, product development, and nuclear. However, to be able to work in most companies, you need to have certain titles.
You also need to develop a couple of crucial skills that will benefit you in your work. These skills include creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills.
What Do Mechanical Technologists Do?
What is mechanical technology and what do mechanical technologists do? While we have answered the first question for you, you might still be unaware of what mechanical technologists truly do.
Well, that is exactly what we are going to talk about in this next section.
So, once you have earned a mechanical technology degree, you will be able to work as a mechanical technologist. And your main job is to help mechanical engineers when it comes to designing, developing, testing, and manufacturing mechanical devices. These devices include tools, machines, and engines. On top of helping mechanical engineers, you will also need to make rough layouts and sketches, make calculations, record and analyze data, and report your findings to your superiors.
To make it easier for you to understand, here are a couple of duties that mechanical technologists will have to do in their job:
- Prepare drawings with correct measurements using 3D software
- Discuss design changes with coworkers
- Evaluate drawings while making sure the measurements are accurate compared to the real product
- Review blueprints and instructions while making sure that the follow the required procedures
- Plan and produce mechanical parts while assembling them into a certain machinery product
- Conduct tests on complete units and the components in them while recording the test results
- Compare test results by evaluating the design specifications and test objectives
- Make recommendations for changes in test methods or products based on the test results
- Estimate labor costs, plant space, and equipment life
So, those are some mechanical technology examples of duties that you need to know if you plan on building a career in this field. By understanding those duties, you will be able to determine whether or not this field of work is suitable for you.
How Much is the Salary of a Mechanical Technologist?
You are probably wondering about the mechanical technology salary and whether or not it will be attractive for you. Of course, different companies will provide you with different salaries.
However, the average earning of a mechanical technologist in the United States is around $57,000 per year. This means that you will be able to earn around $27.50 per hour.
How Can I Become a Mechanical Technologist?
To become a mechanical technologist, you need to earn an associate degree. Once you have earned a degree, you can immediately start your career in electrical mechanical technology or other fields that you are interested in.
However, a lot of companies out there might prefer to hire mechanical technicians who have bachelor-level training in this subject. So, you might want to consider getting a bachelor’s degree in this subject if you want to be able to achieve higher education.
Earning an associate degree is the first step you need to take to become a mechanical technologist. You will have to follow a couple of courses, including mathematics classes and mechanical-related courses.
After earning an associate degree, you should find an internship to increase your experience and gain the skills that you need to become a mechanical technologist. The last thing you need to do is to apply for mechanical technologist positions that are available around you.
If you are interested in advancing your career, you can also continue your education by earning a bachelor’s degree. You can follow the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology classes to be able to do that. The courses include project engineering, 3D modeling, and many more. That is all you need to know about mechanical technology.
