Theoretical vs. Experimental
As we talk about cross-functional issues this week, I have to say that’s it not always communication BETWEEN engineering disciplines that causes problems. For problems like that, you just have to learn the correct lingo, and talk to the people in the other discipline, and you are good to go. If the problem is communication with a mixed discipline like controls engineering (which is people like me!), apparently the key is that we just need to make sure we keep a grip on reality! But like Chris did in his discussion of old engineers, I want to talk about a problem WITHIN a discipline. Take this all with a grain of salt; it’s just good-natured ribbing… I’m talking about theoretical engineers and experimental engineers. Now I admit that theory and experiment have different applications in every discipline, but in my world of Mechanical Engineering research, I have little use for theoretical people.…