A-Z Technical Terms in Mechanical Engineering

This list covers a broad range of mechanical engineering terms and should be a good reference

A

1. Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity.

2. Adiabatic Process: A process where no heat is transferred to or from the system.

3. Aerospace Engineering: Field focused on the design and development of aircraft and spacecraft.

4. Alloy: A mixture of metals or a metal and a non-metal.

5. Ammeter: Instrument for measuring electric current.

B

6. Bearing: A machine element that supports rotating shafts.

7. Bending Moment: The internal moment that induces bending of a beam.

8. Bolted Joint: A connection using bolts to fasten components.

9. Boiler: A device for generating steam or hot water.

10. Brake: A mechanism used to slow down or stop a vehicle.

C

11. Camshaft: A shaft with cams that controls the timing of valve openings in an engine.

12. Compression Ratio: Ratio of the maximum to minimum volume in a combustion chamber.

13. Centrifugal Force: Force that acts outward on a body moving in a circular path.

14. Coolant: A fluid used to remove heat from an engine or machine.

15. Crankshaft: A shaft that converts reciprocating motion to rotational motion.

D

16. Dynamics: Study of forces and motion in mechanical systems.

17. Deformation: Change in shape or size of a material under applied forces.

18. Design Engineering: Discipline focused on designing and optimizing mechanical systems.

19. Drilling Machine: Equipment used for drilling holes in materials.

20. Dynamic Balance: Condition where the center of mass is aligned with the axis of rotation.

E

21. Efficiency: Ratio of useful work output to total energy input.

22. Engine: A machine that converts fuel into mechanical energy.

23. Exhaust System: Components that channel exhaust gases away from the engine.

24. Elasticity: Ability of a material to return to its original shape after deformation.

25. Entropy: Measure of disorder or randomness in a system.

F

26. Friction: Resistance to motion between two surfaces in contact.

27. Fuel Injector: Device that introduces fuel into the combustion chamber.

28. Fan: A device used to move air or gases.

29. Fluid Dynamics: Study of fluids in motion and their interactions.

30. Flywheel: A rotating wheel used to store rotational energy.

G

31. Gear: A rotating machine part with cut teeth that meshes with another gear to transmit torque.

32. Gasket: A seal used to prevent leakage between two mating surfaces.

33. Gravitation: Force of attraction between two masses.

34. Gauge: Instrument used to measure physical quantities.

35. Gearbox: A mechanical device that changes the speed and torque of a machine.

H

36. Heat Exchanger: Device for transferring heat between two or more fluids.

37. Hydraulics: Study of fluid mechanics involving liquid pressure and flow.

38. Hysteresis: Lag between input and output in a material or system.

39. Heat Transfer: Movement of thermal energy from one body or material to another.

40. Hypoid Gear: A type of gear where the axes do not intersect.

I

41. Inertia: Resistance of an object to changes in its state of motion.

42. Internal Combustion Engine: Engine where combustion occurs inside the engine.

43. Isothermal Process: A process occurring at a constant temperature.

44. Instrumentation: Tools and devices used to measure and control physical quantities.

45. Impeller: A rotating component used to move fluids in pumps and turbines.

J

46. Jig: A tool used to guide the movement of tools or workpieces.

47. Jet Engine: Engine that propels an aircraft by expelling jet streams of gases.

48. Joint: A connection between two mechanical components.

49. Jack: A device used to lift heavy loads.

50. Joule: A unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI).

K

51. Kinematics: Study of motion without considering forces.

52. Kinetic Energy: Energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

53. Kinematic Pair: Two links or components that are connected in a mechanical system.

54. Kinetic Theory: Theory that explains the behavior of gases based on their molecular motion.

55. Key: A component that transmits torque between shafts and gears.

L

56. Lubrication: Application of a substance to reduce friction between surfaces.

57. Lever: A simple machine used to amplify force.

58. Load: The force or weight supported by a structure or component.

59. Linear Actuator: Device that creates motion in a straight line.

60. Lathe: Machine tool used for shaping materials by rotating them against a cutting tool.

M

61. Mechanical Advantage: Ratio of output force to input force in a machine.

62. Moment of Inertia: Measure of an object’s resistance to rotational motion.

63. Manifold: A component that distributes fluids or gases to multiple outlets.

64. Motor: A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion.

65. Machining: Process of shaping materials using cutting tools.

N

66. Newton’s Laws: Three fundamental laws describing the relationship between motion and forces.

67. Nozzle: A device that controls the direction or characteristics of a fluid flow.

68. Nomenclature: System of naming or labeling parts and processes in engineering.

69. Noise: Unwanted sound or vibrations in a mechanical system.

70. Nuclear Engineering: Discipline involving the study and application of nuclear processes.

O

71. Orifice: An opening or hole in a mechanical component for fluid flow.

72. Oscillation: Repeated back-and-forth movement around a central point.

73. Output Shaft: The shaft that transmits power from a machine to its load.

74. Overhaul: Comprehensive inspection and repair of a machine or system.

75. Offset: A displacement of a component from its usual position.

P

76. Piston: A cylindrical component that moves back and forth in a cylinder to convert energy.

77. Pump: A device used to move fluids by mechanical action.

78. Pressure: Force exerted per unit area.

79. Power: Rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

80. Pulley: A wheel with a grooved rim for supporting a belt or rope.

Q

81. Quantitative Analysis: Measurement and analysis of quantities and numerical data.

82. Quenching: Rapid cooling of metal to harden it.

83. Quality Control: Process of ensuring products meet specified standards.

84. Quick Return Mechanism: A mechanical device that alters the speed of motion in one direction.

85. Quadrant: A quarter of a circle, used in mechanical systems for rotation.

R

86. Rotor: A rotating part of a machine, such as a motor or turbine.

87. Refrigeration: Process of removing heat from a space to lower its temperature.

88. Radiator: Device used to dissipate heat from a fluid.

89. Resistance: Opposition to the flow of electric current.

90. Roller Bearing: A type of bearing that uses rolling elements to reduce friction.

S

91. Stress: Force per unit area within materials.

92. Strain: Deformation experienced by a material in response to stress.

93. Shaft: A rotating machine element that transmits power.

94. Spring: An elastic device that stores and releases energy.

95. Servo Motor: A motor used in control systems for precise movement.

T

96. Torque: Rotational force applied to an object.

97. Turbine: A machine that converts fluid energy into mechanical energy.

98. Thermodynamics: Study of heat and energy transfer.

99. Transmission: System that transmits power from the engine to the wheels.

100. Temperature: Measure of thermal energy within a system.

U

101. Uniform Stress: Stress that is distributed evenly across a material.

102. Ultimate Tensile Strength: Maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched.

103. Universal Joint: A joint that allows rotational motion between shafts at an angle.

104. Under-reaming: Enlarging a hole or cavity to create a better fit.

105. Ultrasonic Testing: Non-destructive testing method using high-frequency sound waves.

V

106. Velocity: Speed in a given direction.

107. Vibration: Oscillatory motion around an equilibrium point.

108. Valve: A device used to control the flow of fluids.

109. Venturi Meter: Device used to measure fluid flow rate using pressure differences.

110. Vacuum: Space devoid of matter, often used to refer to low-pressure environments.

W

111. Weld: A process of joining two materials by melting and fusing them together.

112. Work: Energy transferred by a force over a distance.

113. Water Hammer: Pressure surge caused by a sudden change in fluid flow.

114. Watt: Unit of power equal to one joule per second.

115. Worm Gear: A gear that meshes with a worm to provide high torque.

X

116. X-Ray Inspection: Non-destructive testing method using X-rays to examine internal structures.

117. X-Y Table: A table that moves in two perpendicular directions, often used in machining.

118. Xenon Lamp: High-intensity light source used in various applications.

119. Xenon Flash Lamp: A lamp used to produce short bursts of high-intensity light.

120. Xenon Arc Lamp: A type of lamp used in photometric testing and high-intensity lighting.

Y

121. Yield Strength: The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically.

122. Yaw: Rotational movement around a vertical axis.

123. Yoke: A component used to connect and transfer motion between parts.

124. Yellow Metal: A term often used to refer to brass or bronze.

125. Yardstick: A measuring stick used to gauge length or distance.

Z

126. Zero-Point Calibration: Calibration process to set a reference point for measurements.

127. Zener Diode: A diode used to maintain a constant voltage.

128. Zigzag Pattern: A pattern of alternating angles or directions, often used in stress analysis.

129. Zinc Plating: Process of coating metal with zinc to prevent corrosion.

130. Zone of Influence: The area affected by a force or load in a mechanical system.