American Society of Mechanical Engineers

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
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“ASME” redirects here. For the magazine editors' society, see American Society of Magazine Editors.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (A.S.M.E) is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering. The ASME was founded in 1880 by Alexander Lyman Holley, Henry Rossiter Worthington, John Edison Sweet and Matthias N. Forney in response to numerous steam boiler pressure vessel failures. The organization is known for setting codes and standards for mechanical devices. The ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations through its ASME Press, holds numerous technical conferences and hundreds of professional development courses each year, and sponsors numerous outreach and educational programs.
The organization's stated vision is to be the premier organization for promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences to the diverse communities throughout the world. Its stated mission is to promote and enhance the technical competency and professional well-being of its members, and through quality programs and activities in mechanical engineering, better enable its practitioners to contribute to the well-being of humankind. As of 2006, the ASME has 120,000 members.
Core values include:
Embrace integrity and ethical conduct
-Embrace diversity and respect the dignity and culture of all people
-Nurture and treasure the environment and our natural and man-made resources
-Facilitate the development, dissemination and application of engineering knowledge
-Promote the benefits of continuing education and of engineering education
-Respect and document engineering history while continually embracing change
-Promote the technical and societal contribution of engineers

ASME Codes and Standards
ASME is one of the oldest and most respected standards-developing organizations in the world. It produces approximately 600 codes and standards, covering many technical areas, such as boiler components, elevators, measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits, cranes, hand tools, fasteners, and machine tools. (Note that:
A Standard can be defined as a set of technical definitions and guidelines that function as instructions for designers, manufacturers, operators, or users of equipment.
A standard becomes a Code when it has been adopted by one or more governmental bodies and is enforceable by law, or when it has been incorporated into a business contract.)