For this exercise, you are going to create an engineering notebook. One of the most important parts of an engineering notebook is making sure that measurements are both accurate and in the same type of measurement - especially since the United States uses different measurements from most of the rest of the world, which is on the metric system. Because there is more than one system of measurement, it is very important that engineers make it clear what system they are using. While this sounds really obvious, in 1999 a satellite designed to orbit Mars burned up as soon as it hit the atmosphere. After investigating the problem, engineers discovered that some of the measurements used in constructing it had been metric and others had been in the American system. This was a $125 million dollar mistake, so getting the measurements right is really important.
All engineers need to know how to properly calculate measurements. When everything is in the same unit, it is pretty basic math. For instance, if you are measuring distance and need to add 5 feet to 12 feet, you use a simple equation:
5 feet
+12 feet
17 feet
As long as the unit of measurement is constant, meaning it does not change, measurements are calculated using standard math.
In many cases, however, it will be necessary to convert numbers. If the makers of the satellite had done that, we would have gotten images of Mars far sooner than we did. American measurements are complicated because there is not a clear system for what American units represent, so you just have to know the system.
For length or distance, measurements are as follows:
12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
5,280 feet = 1760 yards = 1 mile
Liquids are measured in fluid ounces as follows:
8 fluid ounces = 1 cup
16 fluid ounces = 1 pint
32 fluid ounces = 2 pints = 1 quart
128 fluid ounces = 8 pints = 4 quarts = 1 gallon
Weight is measured using ounces as well, although there is a different system for that. It is a little confusing because, like liquids, weight uses ounces. However, one ounce of liquid is not the same as one ounce of weight. So, you might have a 16 ounce bottle of water, but that does not mean you have a pound of water. This is why liquid is measured in fluid ounces and weight in ounces. The basic measurements of weight are as follows:
16 ounces = 1 pound
2,000 pounds = 1 ton
These are just some of the units of measurement in the United States. Fortunately, the metric system is simpler. It is based on units of 10, so each type of measurement goes up in increments of ten. They also use the same prefixes for each step of ten. This means that when looking at length, liquid, or weight, the prefixes will have equivalent meanings.
When it comes to length, there is a good chance that you are already familiar with the centimeter, which is 0.3937 inches. The most common units of metric measurement and their American equivalents are listed below.
In the metric system, length is measured in meters:
When converting American measurements to metric, you need to multiply the American measurement by its metric equivalent. So, to convert 5 yards to meters, this is the equation you would use:
5 yards x 0.914 meters = 4.570 meters
(If one yard = 0.914 meters, then multiplying 0.914 by 5 will result in the number of meters in five yards.)
The same formula applies to the other systems of measurements. Units of ounces are multiplied by their equivalent in grams, and fluid ounces are measured by their equivalent in liters.
NOTE: To convert metric to American, divide the metric unit by the American equivalent. 4.570 meters divided by 0.914 will yield 5 yards.
You will get some practice using and documenting measurements when you complete your engineering notebook. Because this is an exercise in documentation, you don’t have to solve the kind of complex problems that engineers address. Instead, you will choose a simple task that involves measurement, such as making a batch of brownies or packing an object for shipping. You can choose the task that you want to document in your notebook, but it must include at least three measurements and at least five steps.
Because you will need to scan or photograph your journal and submit it, you can be excused from the requirement that pages be bound in a single notebook. Otherwise, your notebook should meet all of the requirements discussed in the unit and listed here. Remember, you will need to get someone to observe you performing the task, so identify that person before you start. It can be a friend or family member, but you will need to get your journal signed. Your notebook should be detailed enough that someone who did not know how to perform the task could pick it up and follow your directions.
To get your notebook started, document the task that you have chosen following the standard engineering format. Then, photograph or scan the pages that you created and submit them to your instructor. Make sure that the pictures are clear and that the information from your page is readable in the pictures. If necessary, take more than one photograph of a page to highlight different parts of the page.
As part of the assignment, you will also need to convert your measurements from American to metric if you begin in American, or metric to American if you begin in the metric system. Be sure to document the equations you used to make these conversions.
Below you will find a list of the standards.
Pages are numbered in order, in ink, on the top outside edge.
Notebooks are securely bound. You may ignore this requirement for this assignment.
Pages are never removed from the notebook for any reason.
The notebook is kept in a safe location when it is not in use.
When the notebook is full, a new one picks up right where the other one left off.
All figures and calculations are clearly labeled.
Entries start at the top of the page, working left to right and top to bottom.
Markers that bleed through paper are not used.
Inserted items are permanently attached with adhesive.
The entry dates are clearly indicated.
Mistakes in the notebook are crossed off and initialed by the engineer but never erased.
Throughout the notebook, recording methods are consistent for ideas, references, and test results.
Each page is signed and dated before the next page begins.
A coworker should corroborate the events and facts on each page and sign off as a witness.
Be neat, be accurate, be legible, and be thorough.
Write as if you are speaking to a future engineer who is responsible for carrying on your work.
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Engineering Notebook Entry
Task Title: Making a Batch of Brownies Date: [Insert Date] Noted by: [Your Name] Witnessed by: [Name of Observer] (signature below)
Objective: To successfully make a batch of brownies while ensuring all measurements are accurately recorded in both American and metric units.
Materials Needed:
1 cup sugar (200 grams)
1 cup all-purpose flour (125 grams)
1/2 cup cocoa powder (50 grams)
1/2 cup butter (113 grams)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract (5 milliliters)
1/4 tsp salt (1.5 grams)
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Melt Butter:
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup (113 grams) of butter over low heat.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup (200 grams) of sugar, 1 cup (125 grams) of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (50 grams) of cocoa powder, and 1/4 tsp (1.5 grams) of salt.
Combine Ingredients:
Add the melted butter, eggs, and 1 tsp (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
Bake:
Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.
Measurement Conversions:
1 cup sugar (American) = 200 grams (metric)
Conversion Verification:
1 cup = 236.588 milliliters (for liquids, not applicable here)
Weight of sugar (granulated) is roughly 200 grams per cup.
1 cup all-purpose flour (American) = 125 grams (metric)
Conversion Verification:
1 cup of all-purpose flour is approximately 125 grams.
1/2 cup cocoa powder (American) = 50 grams (metric)
Conversion Verification:
1 cup of cocoa powder is around 100 grams, so half is 50 grams.
1/2 cup butter (American) = 113 grams (metric)
Conversion Verification:
1 cup of butter weighs about 227 grams, so half is approximately 113 grams.
This recipe can be easily doubled or halved based on quantity needs by using the same conversions for measurements.
Ensure that all ingredients are measured accurately to maintain consistency in the baked product.
Witness Signature:
[Signature of Observer] Date: [Insert Date of Observation]
Future Notes: This recipe can be altered by adding nuts or chocolate chips, but all additional ingredients must be carefully measured and documented similarly to ensure successful replication.
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