Calling all engineers....

[Speeddog]

When is a good time to call? I don't wanna keep you from work?

I could come by the shop some time.

I called your phone.....

FORTRAN is a computer language, like BASIC.
I did it in school with punch cards.  
Was pretty straightforward to me.
The math was the bytch.

[Triple J]

FORTRAN is a computer language, like BASIC.
I did it in school with punch cards.  
Was pretty straightforward to me.
The math was the bytch.

Rub it in!

[He Man]

what kinda parts do you want to make?

Being in business is not the same as designing. Going back to school for 4 years vs  coming up with an design that you can hire an engineer to verify and fix for you, are 2 different things that you should consider.

Atop of that, you dont need to be an engineer to make most things on a bike unless you start talking about the kinda things like Kyle parts for SBKs or you are looking specifically to redesign something.  Thats just 2cents.

[The Bearded Duc]

what kinda parts do you want to make?

Being in business is not the same as designing. Going back to school for 4 years vs  coming up with an design that you can hire an engineer to verify and fix for you, are 2 different things that you should consider.

Atop of that, you dont need to be an engineer to make most things on a bike unless you start talking about the kinda things like Kyle parts for SBKs or you are looking specifically to redesign something.  Thats just 2cents.

Making parts would be more like a hobby which may turn into something else in the future but not a huge concern right now.

I'm more interested in a career and a future and if a degree helps to provide that then that's the road I'm gonna have to travel down. I have many solids interests, none of which I am completely sure that I want to do for the rest of my life. Which is why I'm trying to figure out what is involved and what anyone who works in this field thinks before I make the leap.
I have started my own business and I am fully aware that the idea of owning a business is more glorious than actually owning one. That being said, I am more than willing to work for someone else as long as there is some longevity along with enjoyment involved. And a decent paycheck wouldn't be bad either!!

[Speedbag]

As an engineer myself, you truly don't need a degree to be a good mechanical designer, IMO.

A lot of that comes from a natural knack for things mechanical and an eye for detail.

[lethe]

As an engineer myself, you truly don't need a degree to be a good mechanical designer, IMO.

A lot of that comes from a natural knack for things mechanical and an eye for detail.

I'm practically the only one in my company without all sorts of letters after my name. 

[The Bearded Duc]

As an engineer myself, you truly don't need a degree to be a good mechanical designer, IMO.

A lot of that comes from a natural knack for things mechanical and an eye for detail.

I'm practically the only one in my company without all sorts of letters after my name. 

I thought the competition was stiff for people with degrees, let alone the ones without?

I feel like I have a great eye for detail. Moved to NY for photography and ended up starting a chocolate business, but I don't know the first thing about engineering!!

[chris1044]

1) If you plan to go into business for yourself, and you're mechanically inclined, you DON'T need a degree to "engineer" anything.  (well, a PE license depending on what you want to do...mostly civil, which in some states may require a BSME/BSEE).

2) If you want to work for someone, specifically corporate, the piece of paper means more than what you know...and remember, it's who you blow!

3) Smaller machine shops/design firms are far more open to your background/experience and will accept a broader range of degrees.

Sounds to me like you'd enjoy sitting behind the tube (industry slang for CAD station) designing stuff...maybe look into getting a CAD design degree or something.  Just know that most of this type of work, large OEM anyhow, is being farmed out now...UG/ProE are the leading systems right now, potentially Catia, and free-form (sheet metal/complex surfacing) is the big ticket currently. 

[SacDuc]

duc750,

I you show up for DIMBY I will be able to magically engineer a rear hugger and a windscreen that are an exact color match to that pretty green tank you have.

Just sayin'.


sac

[The Bearded Duc]

1) If you plan to go into business for yourself, and you're mechanically inclined, you DON'T need a degree to "engineer" anything.  (well, a PE license depending on what you want to do...mostly civil, which in some states may require a BSME/BSEE).

2) If you want to work for someone, specifically corporate, the piece of paper means more than what you know...and remember, it's who you blow!

3) Smaller machine shops/design firms are far more open to your background/experience and will accept a broader range of degrees.

Sounds to me like you'd enjoy sitting behind the tube (industry slang for CAD station) designing stuff...maybe look into getting a CAD design degree or something.  Just know that most of this type of work, large OEM anyhow, is being farmed out now...UG/ProE are the leading systems right now, potentially Catia, and free-form (sheet metal/complex surfacing) is the big ticket currently. 

So basically what I'm gathering from this is that some sort of schooling is good, maybe not a degree or at the least a CAD degree?
I would enjoy sitting behind the "tube" but what would make me more happy would be to be able to design, then make said design.

Has anyone worked for "the man" and liked it? Were you able to do what you thought you wanted to do or were you basically someone's pregnant dog?

[The Bearded Duc]

duc750,

I you show up for DIMBY I will be able to magically engineer a rear hugger and a windscreen that are an exact color match to that pretty green tank you have.

Just sayin'.


sac

That's very tempting.

You can mark me down as a maybe for now.

[chris1044]

So basically what I'm gathering from this is that some sort of schooling is good, maybe not a degree or at the least a CAD degree?
I would enjoy sitting behind the "tube" but what would make me more happy would be to be able to design, then make said design.

If you want to work for "the man" then you'll need a degree, assuming "the man" is a larger firm/corporation.  If you want to do design and then the actual production, you need to be at a smaller firm/company that does small volume production runs...anything at an auto company is going to be a very very large production run where a line is involved.  You'll never find a job where you do design and make a part at a large company, unless it's proto-type work.

[pennyrobber]

A company like Local Motors might be what you're looking for.

http://www.local-motors.com/


They do small production run of ground up designed vehicles. Very cool stuff. I personally always wanted to work for a roller coaster design firm like Arrow Dynamics. They have since gone bankrupt.

[Langanobob]

If I were in your shoes I think I'd sort of hedge my bets by jumping in and going back to school and taking some math and engineering courses and  see what you think.  You may catch on fire with it and that's great.  Or, if you don't like them, you can drop out and you are still ahead of where you'd be if you never took the classes.  At least you would get it out of your system and know that a formal engineering education is not for you.  I think part of my point is that as time passes it gets harder to go back to school and sooner than later you'll find yourself in a position where going back to school is just not realistic.  So do it now is my suggestion.

Bob

[DucofWestwood]

Heat Transfer was fun as well...but I had to drop it when I switched majors.

did you drop it like it's hot?    sorry.

Sean - good on ya for contemplating a change.  the nice thing about so-cal is that it seems to be ground-zero for car/bike customization type places.  what about offering to apprentice for one of those local businesses (like some of the ones listed in the sponsor section of this site)?  i.e. work for free in exchange for learning some stuff and getting a flavor for the work.  hell, if i had the time, i'd offer to sweep Speeddog's shop floor just to hang out and watch and learn!