Mechanical Engineering involves the design and development of machines which range from simple mechanisms to complex machinery such as motor vehicles, ships or aircrafts. The mechanical engineer is responsible for the design, development, production and marketing of a large variety of machines and processes. He/She also organises and run industrial installations and process plants.
The focus of the manufacturing industry in South Africa is slowly shifting towards automation and robotics has become an important aspect of modern mechanical engineering. South African mechanical engineers, technologists and technicians have excelled in the development of sophisticated machinery and vehicles, the creation of heavy industries such as Iscor, service industries such as the transport services, manufacturing industries and mining.
Computer aided design is an important tool for mechanical engineering and is a key subject in a modern course, alongside mechanics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
The mechanical engineering team consists of Engineers, Technologists, Technicians and Artisans.