What is Industrial Engineering? – Mechanical Engineering
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the study of industrial applications to boost the production of organizations using various engineering principles and scientific methods at optimum cost.
Industrial engineers combine physical and social sciences together to improve processes and systems. While other engineering departments generally focus on the development of scientific devices/materials, industrial engineers focus on the whole system so that various operations like the production/distribution of products and services can be done effectively. This is done by following various methods like reducing cost, eliminating waste of time and resources, increasing efficiency, improving quality control, etc.
According to Maynard, industrial engineering is the engineering approach applied to all factors, including human factors, involved in the production and distribution of products or services.
As per the definition of the American Institute of Industrial Engineers (AIIE), industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, equipment, and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in mathematics, physical and social sciences, and engineering analysis, as well as design principles to specify, predict, and evaluate the results obtained from systems.
Key points:
- Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)
- Queueing Theory
- Graph of Optimization of Cost
- Inventory Control
- Classification of Inventories
- Inventory Models
- Costs Associated with Inventories
- Always Better Control (ABC)
- VED Analysis
- SDE Analysis
- FNSD-Analysis Based on Usage Rate of Items
- XYZ- Analysis Based on Inventory Value
- Linear Programming
Core Concepts of Industrial Engineering
The core concepts of industrial engineering and operation research are given below:
- Break even analysis
- Inventory control
- PERT/CPM
- Forecasting
- Queuing theory
- Linear Programming, Transportation and assignment models
- Work study
- Statistical quality control
- Line balancing and sequencing
- Plant Layout, Production Planning and Control and Lean Manufacturing.
Applications of Industrial Engineering in Real life
Industrial engineering has lot of applications, some of which are given below:
- Assisting top management
- Procurement of raw materials
- Technical Aspects
- Maintenance
- Production and quality control
- Material handling
- Finance
- Analysis of marketing strategy
Importance of Industrial Engineering in Competitive Exams
Industrial engineering and Operation Research is an important subject in the mechanical engineering syllabus, as it teaches management skills to mechanical engineering students. Generally, in GATE Mechanical Engineering, the weightage of Industrial Engineering and Operation Research is roughly around 5-7 marks; however, this can vary year to year. In ESE, this subject holds a significant weightage of around 6-7 questions in prelims. In exams like RRB JE and other state engineering services exams, this subject holds a significantly high weightage. However, in SSC JE, the weightage of this subject is relatively low.
Online Courses for Industrial engineering (ME):
National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning, popularly known as NPTEL offers multiple course for industrial engineering. The link of some of the courses are given below.
Those candidates who want to learn about industrial engineering through online course, can click on the given below links:
- Industrial Engineering and Operations Research
- Work Study – Lecture 1
- Production Planning and Control
- Principles of Industrial Engineering
Other than this, MADE EASY also provides courses for GATE and ESE Mechanical Engineering. Those who want to learn industrial engineering from competitive exam point of view, can join these courses.
Students can view the online/offline courses from here.
FAQs:
1. Is Industrial Engineering useful for GATE ME?
Answer: Yes, Industrial engineering is very useful subject for GATE ME.
2. What are some important topics of Industrial Engineering for ESE?
Answer: Important topics of industrial engineering for ESE are given below:
- Break even analysis
- Inventory control
- PERT/CPM
- Forecasting
- Queuing theory
- Linear Programming, Transportation and assignment models
- Work study
- Statistical quality control
- Line balancing and sequencing
- Plant Layout, Production Planning and Control and Lean Manufacturing.
3. Is industrial engineering a good career?
Answer: Yes, industrial engineering is a good career option.
4. Which PSUs ask Industrial Engineering-related questions in interviews?
Answer: The PSUs which recruit mechanical engineering graduates ask industrial engineering related questions in interview.
5. Can Diploma Mechanical Engineers learn Industrial Engineering?
Answer: Yes, diploma mechanical engineers can learn industrial engineering.
6. How can MADE EASY help me master Industrial Engineering?
Answer: MADE EASY offers online and offline batches for GATE and ESE Mechanical Engineering. Those student who want to learn industrial engineering can join these courses.
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