Stupid Engineers

On occasions I get flabbergasted by the failures that occur in new products. I can understand, but not totally accept the rare mechanical failure due to manufacturing errors. But there's absolutely no excuse for failures due to inherent design flaws.

Today mechanical engineers have one of the greatest design/analysis tools ever invented, called FEA. FEA, finite element analysis, is a computer simulation method that will predict the longevity or failure mode of any physical part or system. Unfortunately some so called engineers rely so much on the all powerful computer that they leave their brains at home. Computer simulations are like any other mathematical model in that bull shit in results in bull shit out. FEA is a wonderful and powerful tool, if and only if used correctly. When a tool like this is available, what appears to be a design flaw like this is totally unacceptable. Somebody should hit that engineer up side the head with board to get his attention.

Even before FEA was widely available there was still the ability to cycle test the part and mechanism. Cycle testing is done in a controlled environment where models or actual parts are subject to the loads and rigors they would see in the real world. This testing is done precisely to find the weak points of a design before it's in the hands of the consumer.

The 30 cal carbine in the post below was probably built in the pre-FEA times, but that's no excuse if there's a design flaw as opposed to a manufacturing error. Mechanical testing would've found the problem with ease.

Sometimes I'm ashamed of being in the engineering fraternity.