Mechanical Engineering for Non-mechanical Engineers

Mechanical Engineering for Non-Mechanical Engineers

A Practical, Cost-Effective Introduction to Core Mechanical Engineering Principles

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Revised and Updated: 07 October 2026
Date Venue Duration
23 - 26 November 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 4 Days
22 - 25 February 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 4 Days
26 - 29 April 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 4 Days

Course Introduction

This Mechanical Engineering for Non-Mechanical Engineers course is designed to meet the needs of individuals of all disciplines, and will also benefit those with a mechanical background seeking to refresh their knowledge.

 

This Prospen Africa course provides non-mechanical engineers and other professionals with an introduction to the core subject areas of mechanical engineering. Engineers, technicians, maintainers, and operators who may not have a mechanical background are often given responsibility for the procurement, installation, operation, and maintenance of mechanical equipment. To be effective, such personnel should have a fundamental understanding of the principles that dictate the design, operation, and maintenance of this equipment. The course emphasises practicality and cost-effectiveness throughout.

Course Objectives

After attending this Mechanical Engineering for Non-mechanical Engineers course, delegates will be able to:

  • Apply practical knowledge regarding the operation and maintenance of mechanical equipment
  • Achieve a more cost-effective approach to the use of mechanical equipment
  • Implement a process to improve equipment reliability
  • Select the most appropriate equipment to meet the specific needs of their industrial processes
  • Appreciate how forces on beams in static equilibrium are analysed, in determinate support scenarios
  • Calculate forces in members of simple truss systems using the method of sections, and analyse the motion of objects in the kinematic and kinetic realms

Who should attend?

  • Engineers
  • Technicians and Maintenance Personnel
  • Operators
  • Project Champions and Managers
Technical courses

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Day 1 — Engineering Fundamentals, Mechanics, and Materials
Part 1: Overview of the Engineering Function
  • The corporate mandate for success (or failure) — the key factor behind effective engineering management
  • The various components of the engineering function, identified and explained
  • Professional registration and adherence to international and national standards and regulations
  • The role of the 'certificated' engineer
Part 2: Mechanical Engineering Basics
  • Basic concepts: force, work, energy, and power
  • Units of engineering quantities
  • Friction and its effect on mechanical systems
Part 3: Engineering Mechanics — Statics and Dynamics
  • Analysing forces on beams in static equilibrium, for determinate support scenarios
  • Calculating forces in members of simple truss systems using the method of sections
  • Introduction to kinematics: describing the motion of objects
  • Introduction to kinetics: the forces that cause motion
  • Practical Exercise: analysing a simple determinate beam and truss problem
Part 4: Engineering Materials
  • Elasticity, plasticity, ductility, brittleness, and malleability
  • Toughness, hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue resistance
  • Corrosion resistance, creep resistance, and porosity
  • Weld resistance, alloys, and metal fracture

Day 2 — Drawings, Design, Codes, and Standards
Part 5: Mechanical Drawings and Fasteners
  • Mechanical drawings, projections, and dimensions
  • Assembly drawings and welded joints
  • Bolt, nut, and screw fasteners
  • Keys, keyways, and keyed assemblies
  • Tolerance, limits, and fits
Part 6: CAD and CAM
  • The role of Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
  • Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and its integration with design
Part 7: Mechanical Design
  • General design requirements
  • Codes and standards, and the safety factor
  • Mechanical components: gears, pulleys, couplings, and similar elements
Part 8: Mechanical Engineering Codes and Standards
  • The need for standardisation
  • Overview of applicable mechanical engineering standards
  • Introduction to ISO 9001 and its relevance to mechanical quality management

Day 3 — Manufacturing, Automation, and Fluid Engineering
Part 9: Manufacturing
  • Foundry processes and heat treatment
  • Hot and cold working of metals
  • Numerical control, sawing, broaching, shaping, and welding
Part 10: Mechanical Automation
  • Sensors and actuators
  • Velocity and motion measurement
  • Temperature, pressure, flow, and level measurement
  • Pneumatics and hydraulics, and control valves
  • Electrical drives, electrical machines, and gear motors
  • Control systems
Part 11: Fluid Engineering
  • Pumps, compressors, and turbines
  • Boiler plant fundamentals
  • Introduction to thermodynamics
Part 12: Theory of Heat Transfer
  • Heat exchangers and heat pumps
  • Air conditioning systems
  • Practical Exercise: selecting an appropriate heat transfer solution for a given process scenario

Day 4 — Smart Technology, Maintenance, and Quality
Part 13: The Impact of 'Smart' Measurement and Sensors
  • How mechanical, electrical, and structural disciplines benefit from 21st-century measurement technology
Part 14: The Latest 'Smart' Technology
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing
  • Smart sensors and predictive analytics
  • The latest wireless technology for 'smart plant' enhancement
Part 15: Maintenance of Machinery
  • The need for maintenance and the types of maintenance
  • Maintenance strategies
  • Predictive maintenance and the modern, condition-based concept of maintenance
Part 16: Quality Control
  • Quality control principles in mechanical engineering
  • How to maximise return on investment through effective quality control
Part 17: Open Session & Close-Out
  • Open forum for delegate questions and workplace-specific scenarios
  • Course recap and close-out

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FAQs – Mechanical Engineering for Non-Mechanical Engineers

Master mechanical engineering concepts for non-mechanical engineers, learning core mechanical principles, machine component operation, thermodynamics basics, maintenance fundamentals, and cross-functional technical communication.

What is covered in the Mechanical Engineering for Non-Mechanical Engineers course?
The course covers fundamental mechanical principles, materials science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, pumps and piping systems, HVAC, mechanical drives, gears, bearings, and basic mechanical troubleshooting.
Who should attend Mechanical Engineering for Non-Mechanical Engineers?
This training is ideal for electrical, civil, and chemical engineers, plant managers, maintenance supervisors, project managers, operations staff, procurement officers, and technicians seeking a solid baseline in mechanical systems.
Do delegates need a prior background in mechanical engineering to take this course?
No prior mechanical qualification is needed. The course is structured specifically to translate complex mechanical engineering terminology and concepts into clear, practical knowledge accessible to non-mechanical professionals.
Will delegates learn how to interpret mechanical drawings and schematics?
Yes. Participants learn how to read and interpret mechanical Engineering Drawings, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), isometric drawings, and component assembly schematics used in industrial facilities.
Does the training cover equipment maintenance, failure prevention, and safety?
Yes. The curriculum includes preventive maintenance strategies, identifying common failure modes in rotating equipment and static assets, lubrication fundamentals, and mechanical risk management.
How does this course benefit multi-disciplinary project teams and operations?
Gaining core mechanical knowledge improves communication between multi-disciplinary engineering teams, enhances safety compliance during plant operations, and streamlines technical decision-making and procurement.

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