Gain insights into using Python for mechanical and aerospace engineering. Learn about basics, graphing techniques, airfoil plotting, and dynamic pressure and orbital modeling in 2D and 3D.

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Python tkinter

Python bash

Python pweave

In this course, you will learn about the Python programming language in the context of mechanical and aerospace engineering. 

You will start with the basics of Python, like variables, collections, and different types of loops. Once you have the basics out of the way, the real fun begins. You will learn how to: graph thrust available and thrust required, graph dynamic pressure during a rocket launch, and how to plot airfoil coordinates. 

Towards the end, you will get a strong overview of orbital parameters and learn how to model both 2D and 3D static orbits. Once you’ve completed this course, you will have a better understanding of Python and how it works in the context of mechanical/aerospace engineering.

Python for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Units are important, but they are also tedious to keep track of. `Pint` is a library that allows you to use Python to keep track of units. You can even use `Pint` and perform normal math operations and keep the units. 


import pint
ureg = pint.UnitRegistry()
converter = ureg.Quantity
x = converter(2.0, ureg.inches)
y = x*12
print(y)

GUIs provide a way for normal users to interact with a program; script editors and command-line prompts are scary to most people, so the ability to create a GUI makes your program more appealing for the average consumer. It also allows you, as the author of the program, to customize the program without having to write a bunch of `if` statements for exactly what you want. You were able to use the built-in library `Tkinter` to create a basic GUI to convert any unit into another unit in its dimension. Libraries like `cx_freeze`, `py2app`, or `py2exe` can be used to freeze Python programs and turn them into standalone computer applications (`.exe` for Windows, `.app` for Mac) that are distributable to people who do not have Python installed. 

This program is still susceptible to bad user inputs like `Mpa` instead of `MPa`. There are several ways to try to make it more user-friendly: use a bunch of `replace()` statements, use a `dict` to convert to the proper capitalization, and more. See if you can implement one of these techniques to help the program be more user-friendly.



Concluding remarks for GUIs and unit conversion.

Getting Comfortable with Python

FizzBuzz

Graphing Thrust Available and Thrust Required

Graphing Dynamic Pressure During a Rocket Launch

Getting and Plotting Airfoil Coordinates

Modeling a 2-Body Orbit in 2D and 3D

Unit Conversions

Introduction to Web Scraping

Modeling Camera Shutter Effect

Writing Reports with Pweave

The End

Conclusion for Units and GUIs