Handy Apps Every Engineer Should Download

Engineers who are free to work whenever and wherever they want can make more efficient use of their time.

We’ve assembled a list of mobile apps that boost your efficiency by giving you access to technical information at the swipe of a finger. If you’re looking for ways to apply best business practices while running your projects more efficiently, adding these apps to your mobile device will give you the smart tools you need.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD tool is used extensively in an engineer’s toolbox. Instead of being tied to a desktop, you can check your drawing right from your mobile device. The drafting and drawing functions allow you to view, edit and share AutoCAD drawings from desktop to mobile devices.

Other user-friendly features include: 

• Ability to draw and edit shapes
• Objects snap table
• Distance measurement tool

Mech Ref

You can’t go wrong with Mech Ref. At a cost of just $0.99, this handy app gives you a reference point of useful metrics for all things mechanical, saving you valuable problem-solving time with just the tap of a finger.

Features include:

• Drill and tap sizes (metric and English)
• Sheet metal gauge table (steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.)
• Fastener clearance holes (metric and English)

Engineering Unit Converter

This app will save you time and possibly a headache. Whether you’re an Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer or an engineering student, conversion can be complicated. So, let this free app be a helpful tool.

Users can select from categories including:

• Length
• Energy
• Entropy
• Electric charge
• and more

Basic Engineering Dictionary

Yes, we should all know the terms related to doing our jobs. But sometimes the simplest things slip our minds – and that’s where this free app comes in handy. With more than 8,000 terms at your fingertips, you may even add some new engineering terms to your vocabulary.

Features also include: 

• Ways to quiz yourself
• Daily random facts about engineering
• Access to common equations and formulas

ASHRAE Psychrometric Chart App

An app loaded with features to help you chart in both landscape and portrait modes, ASHRAE has developed this helpful tool for busy engineers. If you’re willing to spend $14.99 to purchase, this app may prove to be a big help with day-to-day charting.

Features include the abilities to:

• Email a list of all the points and their properties for a completed chart, along with a PDF of the chart itself
• Use your finger to plot as many points as you want on the screen
• Customize graphs in many ways, including specifying psychrometric chart line colors and chart background colors

Air Duct Calculator (Ductulator)

A Ductulator helps you properly size your ducts, estimate air loss, find round or rectangular duct equivalents and determine velocity. It can prevent some costly errors and is great for engineers as well as field technicians. Watch this video showing off the app features:

Search the App Store or Google Play to find a version of the Ductulator app that works best for you.

iEngineer

This sophisticated app is a repository of data on screw and bolt information. It provides a comprehensive database of 93 different-inch screws and torque and strength grades. iEngineer is also best for those moments you need a conversion from inches to metrics.

Features also include:

• Decimal cross reference
• 3D views of head styles
• Drill chart

iCircuit

Electrical engineers are sure to benefit from this easy-to-use app. What makes iCircuit unique is that it is always simulating, just like a real circuit. This app features more than30 elements to use to build your circuits wherever you are plus constant analysis.

Other great features are: 

• Multimeter to probe circuits
• Read voltages and currents
• Test your designs in live simulations

TurboViewerX

One of the fastest and easiest ways to view and edit 2D and 3D DWF and PDF drawings, this app is a must-have for engineers in any industry. Use TurboViewerXto draw rough shapes and the app will refine them to accurate geometry, making your job easier. The ability to create folders and save and share your drawings makes the transition froma mobile device to a desktop easy.

Mechanical Engineering Pro

We didn’t forget our mechanical engineers! This app covers more than 2,000 topics to quickly reference on the job, and an opportunity to learn some as you go. With its array of resources, this will become your go-to tool at the office or out in the field.

It covers categories like: 

• Thermodynamics
• CAD/CAM
• Electrical drives
• Principal management

TrussMe

Not all engineering apps have to be calculators. TrussMe is all about learning new design structures in an interactive, gaming setup to help you keep up with the ever-evolving industry. Learn through simulations designed by mechanical, aerospace and civil engineers. You can even become an instructor and teach other app users how to design their own trusses.

These handy apps are a great addition to your engineering toolkit, enabling productivity and accessibility. At Dialectic, we promote the use of creative tools to make our MEP engineers’ jobs easier while maintaining accuracy and efficiency. Our team can vouch for the Psychrometric Chart app and Ductulator! Learn more about joining our growing team!