Mobile apps for machine builders and engineers

Autodesk, AutoCAD 360 for Android

Previously known as AutoCAD WS, Autodesk 360 enables you to view, edit and share AutoCAD files using an Android smartphone or tablet. Accurately annotate and revise drawings while you are on location in the field, in meetings or out of the office, and work with local versions of drawings when you do not have Internet access.

Autodesk, AutoCAD 360 for iPad and iPhone

Previously known as AutoCAD WS, AutoCAD 360 enables you to view, edit and share AutoCAD files using an iPad or iPhone. Accurately annotate and revise drawings while you are on location in the field, in meetings or out of the office, and work with local versions of drawings when you do not have Internet access.

Dako Software, Frame Design 2D

A free Android app for analysing the force distribution, deflections and tension/compression in 2D structures, based on the finite element method. Beams, forces, supports and other data can be entered graphically and textually, then the calculations are performed transparently in the background.

FPC, Fluid Mechanics Basics

Fluid Mechanics Basics, a Blackberry app, contains a broad selection of fluid mechanics laws, equations, tables and reference material; topics covered include gas flow, liquid flow, gas properties and pipelines. Price: $2.99.

FPC, Mechanics Basics

Mechanics Basics, a Blackberry app contains a broad selection of mechanics laws, equations, tables and reference material; topics covered include mechanics, dynamics, pulleys, gears, levers and inertia. Price: $2.99.

MATLAB, MATLAB Mobile

MATLAB Mobile is a lightweight desktop for the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch that provides access to a MATLAB session - hosted on the MathWorks Computing Cloud or the user's computer - for running scripts, creating figures and viewing results.

Norbar, torque conversion

Norbar Torque Tools is offering a free torque conversion app for iPhone and Android. This Torque Calculator provides instant conversions across a full range of SI, metric and imperial units (this QR code links to the Android Market).

Phoenix Contact, catalogue

Phoenix Contact's free catalogue app for iPhone, iPad and iPod enables users to search the company's complete catalogue and make enquiries directly (this QR code links to the iTunes App Store).

Phoenix Contact, functional safety

Phoenix Contact has a free functional safety app, which the company claims to be the first of its kind. It has been developed for machine builders complying with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and designing safety-related control systems to EN ISO 13849-1 (this QR code links to the iTunes App Store, where the German version can be downloaded; the English version will be available shortly).

PMC Group, Hydraulics calculations

A free Android app from PMC Group for performing calculations relating to hydraulic systems, Hydraulics calculations includes calculations for pumps, motors, cylinders and accumulators, as well as calculations for fluid velocity and pressure drop in pipes and orifices, and heat generation as a result of pressure drops. A unit converter for the most common units used in hydraulic engineering is also included.

Tim Judkins, Nuts & Bolts PRO

Nuts & Bolts is a simple Android application that provides thread diameters, screw head dimensions and tapping drill sizes for metric screws M1.4 to M24 and standard sizes #0 to 1 inch. You can either cycle through sizes and screw types or enter any dimension to jump to the size you need. The PRO version costs 1.92 or there is a free alternative.

Troax, EN ISO 13857 safety distances

Troax has a free iPhone safety distance app for determining the type of machine guard required, based on the EN ISO 13857 standard for safety distances in high-risk applications (this QR code links to the iTunes App Store).

WEG, energy savings estimator

WEG's Blackberry app, the Energy Savings Estimator, calculates energy savings, return on investment and reductions in CO2 emissions for electric motors (this QR code links to the Blackberry App download page).

Wolfram|Alpha

Wolfram|Alpha is described as "computational knowledge engine" for unit conversions, scientific data, materials data, statistics, mathematical calculations and far more. Wolfram Alpha Mobile is available for iPhone and iPod touch, iPad and Android platforms, all priced at $1.99 (this QR code links to the Wolfram|Alpha Mobile page).

If you can recommend any other apps, please email [email protected].