• Question: What Tools do you use for your work?

    Asked by ojcz to Al, Emma, Ivanka, James, Omar on 16 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by branflakes123.
    • Photo: James Vokes

      James Vokes answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      Visual Studio to write C++ and a myriad of other tools to keep track of files, requirement specs.

    • Photo: Ivanka Brown

      Ivanka Brown answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      For design, I may use sketching tools to draw out my problems to scale including a scale ruler, protractor and adjustable set square. I use my calculator a lot or if there is software available for a certain problem I could use that, e.g. there is a programme I can use to find out how much a building will ‘sink’ (or settle) after you build it.

      When we get to the construction stage, there’s a lot of equipment out there that could be used depending on what we’re building. Most often it would be piling rigs or excavators are the most commonly used plant on my projects. However, I don’t drive these myself.

    • Photo: Al Bartlett

      Al Bartlett answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      Hello ojcz, thanks for your question.

      On the aircraft we use many different tools – We use some tools that are only used for certain jobs such as testing fuel flow rates on the engines but also use everyday tools such as hammers and screwdrivers – it really depends on what the job is. We also have a laptop computer that we can plug in to the aircraft and it will run tests for us so we can see what is happening in real time. The aircraft also has a CD drive onboard so that we can record everything tha the aircraft does in flight – it records everything from speed, height and position to the pilots conversations with each other!!

      I hope this helps

    • Photo: Emma Bould

      Emma Bould answered on 13 Mar 2012:

      I’m not usually allowed tools (the Engineering Technicians who work for me get worried if they see me with a screwdriver!) but I use a computer (in fact several) every day.

      Other things (which I am allowed) include:
      – An intrinsically safe torch (For inspecting Explosives Stowages)
      – A standard pad lock key (for spot checks of emergency operating switches)
      – Sampson Bar (for doing up door clips)
      – A pen for signing documents
      – A rag (for wiping the grease off my hands!)

      None of them (other than the torch) are particularly special, but generally I don’t do a lot of hands on engineering, at least not fixing things directly. My main job is managing people and problem solving, my Engineering Technicians do the fixing bit!

    • Photo: Omar Mustufvi

      Omar Mustufvi answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      Most of the tools are computer based for designing (CAD) or for analysing data which is taken during testing. I myself usually use Matlab/Simulink for data processing as it is really easy to do lots of complex calculations with. Spreadsheets and presentations are used a lot to get the data to be easy to understand and so that it looks good in front of the managers!

      There are a lot of process tools as well to ensure everyone is working to the correct level and to ensure we find any problems quickly.

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