Smartphone Apps for engineers

June 9, 2011
These smartphone apps let you do everything from control a robotic lawnmower to share and edit DWG files.

AutoCAD WS for Android
The AutoCAD WS app from Autodesk lets users view and work with DWG files directly on any Android phone or tablet running Android 2.1 or higher. The free app can be downloaded from the Android Market. After installing the app, be sure you are connected to the Internet the first time you open the app to create an account or sign in to your existing AutoCAD WS Web account. After you open the mobile app, a Drawings window shows a list of drawings and folders you have uploaded or created. The Editor contains toolbars that let you add new objects such as circles, rectangles, and polylines to drawings, annotate drawings, and share drawings with other users. Besides English, the AutoCAD WS app supports Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Tired of cutting your grass?
The My Automower iPhone app from Husqvarna in Sweden works with the company’s Automower robotic lawnmowers. Each lawnmower has its own phone number. After downloading the app, type in your mower’s number. You can then remotely start and stop the lawnmower via text messages, as well as see its position on Google Maps. Instruction videos in the app tell you how to connect the docking station, lay the boundary wire, and program an Automower. It also answers a long list of FAQs.

App for calculating the density of a gas
The GasDensity iPhone app from Michael LaRose lets users calculate the density of a vapor or gas. Just type-in the molecular weight, temperature (F), and pressure (psig), and then press Calculate. Density is expressed in lb/ft3.

© 2011 Penton Media, Inc.

About the Author

Leslie Gordon

Leslie serves as Senior Editor - 5 years of service. M.S. Information Architecture and Knowledge Management, Kent State University. BA English, Cleveland State University.

Work Experience: Automation Operator, TRW Inc.; Associate Editor, American Machinist. Primary editor for CAD/CAM technology.

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