1. Precision EngineeringIn recent times, the trend in the engineering world has been suchthat newer branches of engineering are being introduced on aregular basis. These new branches are mostly specializations in thecore engineering branches themselves. The specialized engineeringcourses have become a necessity as manufacturing and researchorganizations are looking for highly trained and competentengineers to maintain and even improve the high research andproduction rates. A specialization in a particular topic will definitelyhelp an engineering professional to find better carer opportunities asthe cutting edge technology of todays world demands a thoroughand deep knowledge of even the minutest aspects and the latestdevelopments in a particular field.

2. Precision engineering is one such specialization and it concerns notjust one engineering field but it can be considered to be asubdivision of a variety of fields like electrical engineering,electronics engineering, software engineering, optical engineeringand mechanical engineering. As the name suggests, precisionengineering requires the output to be quite precise - in other words,the output should be predictable or that the behaviour of the systemin question should be deterministic. This predictability is one of themost important aspects of engineering as without knowing thechances of success, engineering would be meaningless. Precisionengineering is basically related to designing machines, fixtures andother structures. This form of engineering is especially essentialwhen the structures to be designed are repeatable and stable overtime and have very low tolerances. Machine tools, optoelectronicsdesign, MEMS and NEMS are some of the fields where precisionengineering finds important applications. 3. The principle behind precision engineering is basicallythe understanding that machines obey a cause andeffect relationship while they are at work. Whatever bethe complexity of the system, this cause and effectrelationship is sincerely obeyed. This would naturallymean that we would have the ability to understand andpredict the working of the machine by calculating thecuases and effects that are taking place in the machineat every unit of time. In effect, what it implies is that thereis nothing random about a certain system and that everyprocess occurs for a reason and that these reasonsshould be properly managed and monitored. This is thejob of a precision engineer - to explain the cause andeffect principle in terms of familiar and provenengineering principles. 4. There are a few goals that a precisionengineer is required to follow and they areas follows: 5. 1. Ensure that the movements of themachine are highly precise andpredictable and that the entire motion istotally under control. 6. 2. The products or the parts functionshould have a reduced dispersion, that isto say that the principle of causality shouldbe followed. 7. 3. The initial as well as the running cost ofthe product should be substantiallyreduced. 8. 4. Ensure greater safety by creating betterdesigns and also extend the life span ofthe product. 9. 5. Make provisions for interchangeabilityof components so that the componentsavailable in the market at lower costs maybe used. 10. 6. Enable quality control and makefunctions independent of each other. 11. 7. Achieve greater miniaturization and alsofurther advances in technology.