When students think of mechanical engineering, they often think about building products and machines.
However, there is an entire building and building design domain dedicated to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP).
MEP mechanical engineers should take advantage of Revit’s popular building modeling software.
It will help them significantly in their design, development, and optimization processes.
Follow along to learn more about this critical tool.
Do Mechanical Engineers Use Revit?
Mechanical engineers use Revit frequently if they work in building design and construction.
They will use Revit to design and plan mechanical necessities for buildings and infrastructure such as heating, air conditioning, air conditioning, air purification, elevators, escalators, moving ramps, and automatic doors.
Revit is a beneficial tool for these types of projects since it features parametric modeling, rendering, automation, energy analysis and optimization, and construction collaboration.
It also allows for easy collaboration with multiple team members simultaneously.
In this way, mechanical engineers can ensure their designs fit with other components of buildings, such as plumbing systems or electrical systems.
What Is Revit Best Used For?
Architects and engineers use Revit for its advanced features:
- Design: The first step for buildings and infrastructure is an accurate design. Users can visualize, model, render, edit, and update 3-D structures. They can also tag, define, and dimension specific components of the designs.
- Collaboration: Collaborations with clients, stakeholders, and other team members are vital for building projects. Revit allows for multi-user work, document storage, shared document sync, and file imports and exports.
- Construction: Engineers must consider other aspects of building design and construction when designing and planning mechanical elements. Construction tools allow mechanical engineers to visualize their environment better and ensure there are no conflicts.
Is There A Difference Between Revit And Revit Mep?
Revit and Revit Mep have similar core software and essential features such as 3-D modeling, rendering, and parametric updating.
It also includes excellent communication and collaboration opportunities, including the ability to check for construction or building element clashes.
However, Revit Mep cuts down on the features traditionally used by architects, structural engineers, and civil engineers.
Rather, they prioritize tools used by mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers.
Revit MEP has over 100 elements for MEP projects, allowing for considering parameters Ike energy, pressure, and flow.
Also see Do Mechanical Engineers Use Blender?
Is Revit Mep For Mechanical Engineers?
Revit Mep is an excellent software choice for mechanical engineers designed for their types of projects.
It offers mechanical engineers the chance to design and develop exact models, considering a variety of factors that come into play.
First, they can use the BIM modeling tool to strategically design a machine or mechanical system that works specifically for the building.
They can consider all the other types of systems involved in the building, mainly electrical and plumbing.
Second, their designs can include many important details courtesy of advanced tools and a library of MEP materials and objects.
Third, they can collaborate with other team members to develop precise designs, redo components, optimize features, or include new information.
The model updates every time someone changes an element because of parametric modeling.
Ultimately, mechanical engineers enhance their designs and the entire building project by utilizing Revit Mep.
Check Analysis Software For Mechanical Engineering.
How Does Revit Differ From Autocad?
AutoCAD and Revit are two common software choices for mechanical engineers, but they will use them for different purposes.
AutoCAD is a Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) program.
It is beneficial for mechanical engineers to design and create 2D and 3D drawings.
Ultimately, it replaces manual drafting and drawing with an automated, virtual process.
AutoCAD can also perform modeling and rendering from precise drawings.
All mechanical engineers should know and understand CAD design, which is excellent for efficient machine and component design.
On the other hand, Revit is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) tool.
It creates 3-D models and incorporates all important aspects of a building.
It can be helpful for mechanical engineers working on buildings or infrastructure, as it can help them meet project goals, reduce risks and mistakes, and collaborate with teams on large projects.
Where To Start Learning Revit?
Similar to CAD software programs, it takes time to understand how to use BIM tools.
Students can start learning Revit with these online resources:
- Revit Tutorials by Integrated BIM: Integrated BIM offers 20 free YouTube tutorials on Revit.
- Basic Revit MEP Tutorials for Beginners: Rajkumar Nallusamy, a BIM trainer and consultant, provides more than 30 helpful tutorial videos.
- Autodesk Revit Support and Learning: Autodesk has a good amount of content dedicated to learning about Revit and building upon that base knowledge.
- Revit from Zero to Engineer: MEP Engineer Design Course: Advanced students or mechanical engineers who wish to learn Revit can take this masterclass offered by Udemy.
- Revit 2022: Essential Training for MEP: LinkedIn offers this course, helping beginners understand how to navigate and use Revit.
Do You Need A Certificate To Use Revit?
Most employers in the construction, building or building-related machinery domains require Revit certification.
Additionally, mechanical engineering is a fairly competitive industry. Accordingly, it is important to stand out with in-demand knowledge and skills as demonstrated by a Revit certification.
Mechanical engineers can learn about Revit, practice their skills, and take an exam resulting in professional certification.
They can also take Revit for Mechanical Design Professional Certification Prep course, wherein Autodesk helps them prepare for the exam in a self-paced course.
Check 10 Best YouTube Channels For Mechanical Engineers.
How Long Does It Take To Become Revit Certified?
Autodesk claims that it takes around 1200 hours of Revit experience and practice to thoroughly understand the software.
Students will need to understand how to model, create and configure mechanical systems, add and connect components, manipulate views, produce schedules, use tags and keynotes, define MEP elements and connectors, understand system and component families, create and define annotations, perform mechanical analysis, and collaborate with others.
However, if students feel confident in their knowledge before this, they can take the Revit certification exam for mechanical engineers at any point.
It will take two hours to complete the exam, consisting of 40-60 questions.
How Much Does A Revit License Cost?
If students wish to take the Revit certification exam, they will need to pay $200 for the exam and certification.
The official certificate will be valid for two years, and the engineer must reapply for the exam.
If mechanical engineers want to use the Revit software, the subscription costs $2,545 annually.
Employers may cover this fee, especially if complete teams use the software.
Some employers may also comp the cost of the Revit certification, as it may count as career advancement or education enrichment under specific benefits packages.
What Other Software Do Most Mechanical Engineers Use?
Mechanical engineers use various software to inspire creativity, complete tasks efficiently, organize numbers and calculations, and improve the accuracy of their projects.
Apart from BIM programs such as Revit, the most important tools are:
- Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) Software: CAD allows mechanical engineers to draw, draft, and model with precision and speed. Some of the most popular CAD software include SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Catia, and Creo.
- MathCAD: MathCAD helps record numbers perform calculations, graph or plot data, and program. It is easier to do math in this type of software than manually. If they need to perform more complex equations, they may also use MathLAB.
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA): FEA programs assist with structural analysis, including stress and deflection. Typically, engineers use it in conjunction with CAD.
- Excel: Excel allows mechanical engineers to collect, organize, and store important information. It can also help with tabulating data, finding missing variables, or adding totals. Engineers can even lay out basic drawings and drafts within Excel.
Final Thoughts
Mechanical engineers or prospective mechanical engineers interested in buildings and infrastructure should learn Revit software.
It will not only be highly beneficial to their day-to-day tasks and overall projects, but it will enhance their resume and their career.
References
https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/55155
https://cemsolutions.org/introduction-to-autodesk-revit/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOVUpM6Fy6YpczFm9VG6KD2Zjg_td-63G
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7hlfS3Tn5iAiE2CCsh1v0goeuxzo5Ep