Bid Rigging

Bidding for Projects:
For any project that an Engineering company wants to design, they first must partake in the primary bid.  Multiple Engineering firms can be apart of any bid.  It's much the same as an auction.  This practice is also used by other industries such as Construction and Architecture.  For example, if Target wants to build a new headquarters, they will have a general idea on how many square feet, how tall and the quality of the building that they want.  Any Architecture firm who is interested will request the specifications that Target wants.  Each firm will then estimate the cost for them to design the headquarters and then place those prices on bid day.  Target will choose which offer they like best, while also considering past projects that the Architecture firm has designed.  The winning Architecture firm then designs the building and passes those drawings on to Construction and Engineering companies, where a similar bid process will happen.

What is Bid Rigging:

Bid Rigging is Illegal
in the United States

In some cases, Architecture, Engineering and Construction companies get greedy and will do anything to win the bid.  Work may have been slow and they are desperate for work, so they will rig the bid.  Bid rigging is a form of fraud in commercial contracts between all companies and breaks every ethical code in all industries.  Engineering ethics is a system of moral values and it sets obligations that Engineers must abide by for the society, their clients, and their profession.  There's two forms of bid rigging.  The first is when competing companies agree to place similar bids, thereby eliminating price competition.  For the second, companies agree on which of them will submit the lowest bid and rotate bids in such a way that each firm wins a different bid.  An article by the Coffman Law Firm cites a situation that happened in Texas which will describe how bid rigging works.  In 2004, there were three, billion dollar construction projects in Texas.  Three of the biggest construction companies in North America participated in the bid.  Each construction company agreed to rig the bids in order for each company to win one.  For the first bid, the construction company that planned to win the bid would give their estimate price for the job.  Their price was the lowest and also their means and methods for the job were the most thought out.  In the mean time, the other two construction companies  placed prices that were well above the first construction company.  This process continues for all three bids, and all three companies earned jobs.  Eventually, they were all caught and suffered lawful punishment and fines.

Breaking the Code of Ethics:

As I have stated before, bid rigging breaks every code of ethics in all industries.  The fourth canon of the Engineering Code of Ethics states that Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.  The fifth canon says to avoid deceptive acts and the sixth states for Engineers to conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically and lawfully to enhance honor and reputation.  In all, Engineers are supposed to do what's best for themselves and their company while abiding by the rules truthfully.  Bid rigging cheats the system and breaks the Code of Ethics.  In some cases, companies who have been caught bid rigging aren't allowed to partake in any other projects in the state that they were caught in.  The three construction companies that were caught in Texas are never allowed to construct anything in Texas every again and even some Engineers lost their licenses.  Some companies have even gone out of business due to the fines against them.  Should bid rigging be allowed? No!  In other countries, like Japan, bid rigging is used for nearly every job.  They bribe customers into choosing them and also fix the bids.  This can be a good thing for larger companies who can offer more.  But smaller companies and also United States companies have no chance of winning any bid because they can't bribe the customers with anything.  Kiewit Engineering is a construction company that dominates North America.  But they refuse to partake in any projects in other continents because they simply cannot keep up with other foreign companies bribes.

The Future of Bidding:
In a world that is becoming more politically correct everyday, I believe it will be a thing of the past.  20 years ago, it was common for every company to rig bids, even in the United States.  Whenever companies bid on projects, it is very competitive and everyone wants to win.  But breaking the law and moral ethics is taking it too far.  I believe that the current consequences for bid rigging are just right in the United States and I hope that someday there will be a uniform law throughout the world.  Although the punishments may seem like a slap on the wrist to most companies, it sends a message to all.

Fresh Water Crisis

I recently read an article on CNN about new challenges that Engineers are having to overcome.  One article mentioned our water supply so I decided to pursue that topic and look into different methods for finding fresh water.  Earth is covered with nearly 70 percent water.  Fresh water only consumes a small amount of that.  With the theories about global warming and the ice caps melting, scientists are worried that our supply of fresh water is running low.  Thanks to Engineers and their ability to think outside the box, they have came up with a new way to help that problem.  The solution is to convert sea water into fresh water, this process is called desalination.  New water treatment plants are being constructed at the coasts of the United States to help out this shortage of fresh water problem.  Desalination is a process that has been around for nearly a decade, but it costs so much money that no water company wanted to apply it in their methods.  But in recent years, the cost of desalination has greatly decreased and new plants are emerging all around the world.

How it Works:

Water Filtration

Sea water comes into the plant and goes through a rigorous process.  Chemicals are added to the water so that algae, organic materials, and particles clump together so it is easier to remove them in the filtration process.  The water then goes through multiple filters to remove sand, silt and other tiny particles.  The next process is the most important, which is reverse osmosis.  In this stage, high pressure forces and pre-treated water are applied to the existing water.  Chemicals are then added in order for the water to stabilize and it is then combined with existing fresh water in other tanks.  Water samples are taken often to assure that the water is drinkable and safe.

Current Desalination Plants:
There are many plants around the world that are creating fresh water from seawater.  In the article that I read, "Seawater and Solar Grow Crops In the Desert,"  talks of a new plant in Qatar and what Engineers are trying to achieve.  CNN is a very reliable source with strong ethos.  The author of this writing, Daisy Carrington, has written numerous articles for CNN that are of high credibility.  Qatar has one of the most challenging environments in the world with high temperatures and humidity.  Plant CEO,  Joakim Hauge, quotes that, "Our starting point was to take what we have enough of -- seawater, heat -- and use it to produce what we need more of -- water, energy and a sustainable production of food."  The goal of this plant is to produce fresh water, which will also help irrigate crops, to help communities that lack both.  The facility is looking to green the desert to create alternative, eco-friendly fuel sources.  The pathos of this article is very uplifting and is awe-striking at what technology is capable of.  Logos in this writing is very clear and straightforward, although the process is quite complicated.  Lastly, in the desalination process, seawater is used to cultivate algae.  This can be used for large-scale bio-energy production.  Algae production on its own, can be very expensive and dependent of geological constraints.  The Qatar desalination plant takes in millions of gallons of seawater each day.  Nearly half of the water is used to cool the water plant and the rest of it is turned into clean water.  Two-thirds of that desalinated water is used for human consumption, thirty percent for industrial use and three percent for irrigation.  230 million people around the world rely on desalination plants to produce their water for them daily.  With the fresh water that is available to us, only one percent of that comes from the desalination process.  This number will greatly increase in the future and more people will rely on this process for their daily water needs.

Impact on Engineering:

Before and After

With any desalination water plant, all forms of engineering are applied to provide the best outcome for everyone.  Mechanical Engineers are responsible for any mechanical system in the plant, whether its a pump or heating the water.  Because desalination is relevently new, Engineers must get accustomed to new technology and methods for water treatment.  With the current fresh water on Earth depleting, the population is going to rely on desalination more and more.  Desalination is growing rapidly, and more companies are joining the market.  The technology is only going to improve and the method will become more affordable for everyone.

Engineering + 3D Printing = A Brighter Future

3D printing has been around for years but no one has pursued the full potential it offers, until recently.  It is simply the process of making a three dimensional solid object that can be any shape or size.  3D printing is used for making prototypes and also full-scale distributed manufacturing.  3D printing allows the user to 'print' physical objects, using different materials.  Nearly every Engineering degree makes use of this technology along with architects, dentists, fashion, footwear, food and many other fields.  Although it has only been around for a short amount of time, 3D printing has the potential to enhance our lives in many ways.

How it Works:

3D Prints can be in all shapes and sizes

For hundreds of years, traditional machining techniques have always consisted taking a block of material, and trimming it down to the desired finished product.  This trimming process consisted of milling, drilling, grinding, sanding and anything else that can help achieve the final product.  Unlike this common method, 3D printing is just the opposite.  It consists of starting from scratch and adding material.  There are over 100 different materials including silicon or metal that you can chose from, depending on the usage of the desired product.  These materials can also be printed in any color that is desired.  The concept of a 3D printer is easy to understand and logical.  A normal printer works by putting ink and paper into it, which then forms forms words and pictures that are two dimensional.  3D printers are no different, you create your design on Computer Aided Design (CAD) program and send your final figure to the printer.  The only thing different that you are putting into your printer is going to be the material you want your product to be made of.  The printer then prints layers on top of each other to produce a 3D end product.  The printer reads the design from an .stl file and lays down successive layers of liquid, powder, and other materials.  Some models will have holes or need support during the printing process.  The printers recognize this dilemma and will implant a different material with higher resolution into these gaps.  This material can then be removed by the user at a later time by hand with the assistance of hot water.

Benefits of 3D Printing:
3D printing holds a very bright future and many large businesses are starting to utilize this technology in their production.  These businesses are reaping from the benefits of 3D printing and those include:

• Increase in Production
• Cheap Manufacturing
• Less Waste
• Win Business

A 3D printer can produce your desired design in just minutes depending on how big it is and the complexity of it.  Businesses can own multiple 3D printers to ultimately increase the overall production.  The only thing the printers need is the material, which leads to cheaper manufacturing because you don't need any other manufacturing tools.  Because 3D modeling starts from scratch, there is generally no wasted product left over.  If there is, it can be recycled and used in later models.  3D printers are quick and efficient, so an Engineer could have one in their office to make models of their products to bring to meetings with prospective clients.  This allows an Engineer to describe their product physically instead of by looking at drawings two dimensionally.  This process can also be termed as additive printing.  It is considered distinct normal manufacturing, which relies on the removal of material through different methods.

Who's Doing it:

Jaw Transplant Made From a 3D Printer

There are multiple brands and levels of printers that are available.  They possibilities are comparable to normal, 2D printers.  Different companies are producing 3D printers with different qualities.  Producers making these products include 3D Systems, Stratasys, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and also IBM.  These manufacturers have grown exponentially large and are playing major roles in the stock market.  3D printing has been around since the late 80s.  Thanks to these companies, they have made it widely available commercially.  Coca-Cola has introduced 3D printers into their assembly line.  Instead of designing a whole new production line for newer bottles, they are  using 3D printers to make all of their smaller pop bottles.  Medical companies use 3D printers to make any soft-issue organ such as an ear, finger or kidney.  They can also produce hip implants, skull implants, and jaw transplants.  NASA is going to introduce 3D printers into space in 2014.  They will assist astronauts by producing parts and tools in zero gravity.  Scientists must develop a whole new 3D printer for NASA so that it can withstand the vibrations from launch and the change in air pressure.

The Future:
The future for three dimensional printing is very promising and can help assist everyone in our everyday lives.  President Obama recently endorsed 3D printing in his recent State of Union address and the possibilities it has.  He acknowledged that 3D printing is the next revolution in manufacturing.  CNN claimed that 3D modeling can help make future weapons for our military by making them completely out of plastic.  This has never been possible before and by making weapons out of plastic, they will be undetectable by radar.  Whatever application it is used for, 3D printing will only continue to grow and to affect our lives more and more.

Mechanical Engineering

What is Mechanical Engineering?
Have you ever thought of a world without Mechanical Engineers?  We would live in a scary place and wouldn't have the luxuries we have including cars, air conditioning, power and any other objects that help us with our everyday lives.  Mechanical Engineers are responsible for nearly every man-made object, specifically mechanical devices which billions of people use day to day.  Mechanical Engineering is one of the largest, broadest and oldest careers there are and offers numerous possibilities.  Major areas that Mechanical Engineering influences is energy conversion, materials engineering, and manufacturing engineering.  Mechanical Engineering is generally things that move which can or can not be seen such as a car or air.

History and Present Day:

Mechanical Engineering can also be traced back thousands of years ago with inventors such as Leonardo da Vinci and and Isaac Newton who created flying machines and instruments of war.  However, Mechanical Engineering was truly recognized as a profession during the industrial revolution in Europe in the early 1800s with the development in physics.  As technology improved, the demand for engineers greatly increased to make life easier and more affordable for everyone.  As time went on, Mechanical Engineering grew and today it overlaps with other engineering professions including Civil, Industrial, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace, Manufacturing and Metallurgical Engineering.  By combining these fields, a Mechanical Engineer must be able to apply the basic principles of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, materials science, structural analysis and electricity.

Career Paths:

Computer Aided Design

As I have mentioned before, Mechanical Engineers are heavily involved in energy, materials, and the manufacturing process.  If you break these down even further, you will observe that a Mechanical Engineer mainly participates in the design, production and testing of products.  A career path is decided by individual choices and each area gives you the opportunity to change the world and to succeed.  As a design engineer, one has the opportunity to be an inventor.  One can specialize in the design of cars, planes, power plants or heating and ventilating systems.  Design Engineers typically use Computer Aided Design programs to model the product in 2-D or 3-D drawings.  These computer programs allow engineers to assemble and test their product so it can ultimately save a company a lot of money.  They follow strict standards and this job is very important because it is the building blocks for any given project.  For example, a Mechanical Engineer who works at Boeing will be involved in the aerodynamics of planes, thrust of the turbines, system controls, and even the materials that the plane is made out of.

After the design, the production of the part follows and an engineer will oversee the making of the product.  With every project, safety is the number one concern.  This is where a testing engineer would come in to make sure the product is safe and reliable.  Continuing with Boeing, an engineer involved in the production of the parts will make sure that the parts meet the standards of the company.

Finite Element Analysis

Finally, a test engineer comes in and can physically run tests on the finished product or even use computer programs such as Finite Element Analysis to simulate loads.  They develop tests, carry out the tests, record results and observe the results.  As an outcome, they will identify key areas on product that will be under a heavy load and could possibly fail.  A test engineer will figure out methods to improve the product and to make sure that the factor of safety stands.  With Boeing, a test engineer can run fatigue tests on the wings of the plane and how they affect the fuselage.  By gaining results, the test engineer can estimate the fatigue life of the plane.  Because of the altitude changes that planes consistently encounter along with inconsistent loads, test engineers at Boeing will test every inch of the plane to make sure that they are safe under numerous conditions.

Purpose:
Mechanical Engineering is one of the broadest careers there are.  I have mentioned many career paths, but I have only scratched the surface with the vast opportunities for this field.  Mechanical Engineering is and always will be the base of evolution and progression.  It is a challenging career but in the end it is very rewarding.  Mechanical Engineers make everyday life easier for everyone and is making the world a better place.  You may never hear of the engineer that designed the plane that you fly in, but remember that they are the one who uphold your interests and most importantly, your safety in mind.  Mechanical Engineering is one the most promising career paths in an every changing world.