What are /r/MechanicalEngineering's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Not exactly a coffee table book, but "How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer" by Adrian Newey is fantastic if he has an interest in cars.

https://www.amazon.com/Shigleys-Mechanical-Engineering-Design-McGraw-Hill/dp/0073398209

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As someone who graduated last year and is the design realm as well, this has been the best book. It breaks down the design process and much of the math behind it. It breaks down the math to an understandable level and does a great job explaining the theory . I am sure others will recommend other books, and don't be afraid to look into the books others offer.

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I can also recommend if your local community college has an intro course taking the first one or two of those. That may help guide you to other books that focus more on terminology and theory.

An excellent all around engineering design resource is the Shirley's Mechanical Engineering Design textbook I've included the Amazon link below.

It doesn't just have regular gears but other mechanisms as well. It's a wealth of knowledge and I keep it on my work desk as a reference all the time!

https://www.amazon.ca/Shigleys-Mechanical-Engineering-Richard-Budynas/dp/0073398209

I just call the button adjust nuts.

Here's a similar product on McMaster and another one on Amazon.

The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition. A great book on UI design, focusing on physical design.

Make It So: Interaction Design Lessons from Science Fiction. Another great book, this one talking examples from movies and TV shows and seeing if they could work in the real world.

So.... 19 years ago I started working as a manufacturing engineer. I quote new work, develop new processes, design fixtures, write cnc programs, help in the setup of machines as needed, and basically make sure my processes are profitable. Over the years I developed an Excel spreadsheet with pretty much every calculation that is in the app. I use the spreadsheet daily for quoting and programming and have been tweaking it for around 10 years. I've verified it against other calculations, handbooks, specs, and so on. In 2015 I decided to turn it into an app. As I was building it I verified and re-verified my numbers with sources I found over the years.

I've been selling it since July of 2015 and have a user base of around 15,000 people. My users have found a couple issues that I have fixed right away. For example, the thread pitch tables had an error where a thread was listed both as a UN and a UNC thread. It had different tolerances on size in both places. This was fixed about 2 days later. Also, the bolt circle calculator was originally calculating the hole positions in the wrong order for certain machines. This was fixed in about a week.

I'm not saying that it's perfect, but it has been put through the test by a lot of people way smarter than me. It's got a 4.7 rating on Google Play & a 4.5 star rating on iTunes

Hi ,
We have developed a community-driven app that allows creating shorts ( 30 seconds read ) on different categories of topics. This is based on a free app and there are no ads or cost involved as it's in beta
The idea is to have concepts explained in simple 30-second read content with linking to related shorts and also creating a series. You can swipe through the shorts as you would do in a social media app and deep dive or freeze an interesting subject to see content on that.
We have added more content on thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
You could download the app from
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microideation.app
It's in BETA and has limited content as of now. We will be adding more based on the feedback.

Do you mean this :https://www.solidworks.com/sites/default/files/2017-12/SW-FabLabs-Makers-FlyerR.pdf

I don't think that constitutes as SW having a free license. Seems as if you need to apply and get "sponsored" to get these licenses.

i.e. Dassault Systems are still arseholes

If you are looking for a free CAD option to build up competency, I would recommend Onshape. The founders of the company worked on Solidworks so there is a fair amount of overlap between the systems. It is also a cloud-based CAD system, so you do not need a dedicated workstation to use the software.

They have an education plan if you are a student and a free plan if you are a hobbyist. The free plan requires your designs to be publicly available, but if all you are after is the learning experience this should not be an issue. The education plan lets you have private designs, but flags them for educational use only.

For training and education, they have a learning center with freely available self-paced courses. I have gone through the several of the courses and they provide a good background on the software. They go from basic drafting/modeling through assemblies and on to data management. They also provide additional, instructor-led training for a fee.

I guess all I’m saying is that you’re not the first person to need to push occasionally with 10-15 lbs of force in a linear direction.

You’re probably overthinking this and there is an off-the-shelf linear actuator out there.

For example: Firgelli Mini Linear Actuator 15lbs Force - 8 Inch Stroke https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017MPC4P4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W5DV00GSGJBGPQ5J18KX

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Reference-Handbook-Engineering-Designers/dp/B000RI8DB8&ved=2ahUKEwiV-bjDuPrwAhWBKs0KHejYC44QFjAAegQIBRAC&usg=AOvVaw1H927e9U5rN6HOgnD2JP1j

I am not affiliated at all (I'm just a mod over at /r/thermodynamics). Some of y'all might be interested in these free engineering apps. The link to the creator's comment is here and Google Play store link here.

As my sole suggestion, I'd suggest a more sexy font. Both the serif and sans-serif are the standard ones. I've seen that around here a lot. If it's the required standard, never-mind what I am saying. If you have room for creativity, (dare go wild!)[https://www.overleaf.com/gallery/tagged/cv]

The company Dessault Systemes that creates SolidWorks, has a series of exams you can take to give you professional recognition. It’s not required and most employers probably don’t know about it but it can give you an edge in the job market since you can explain to potential employers that you have done the SolidWorks exams to confirm your skill. The first exam which this beginner series is based on is the CSWA (Certified SolidWorks Associate). It covers general sketching, part modelling, assemblies, working drawings and some analysis (finding a volume and assigning materials) Think link is here for more info https://www.solidworks.com/certifications/mechanical-design-cswa-mechanical-design Next goes CSWP for Certified SolidWorks Professional Then you need 4x CSWPa (professional advanced) You can then go for CSWE (expert)

There are more for specific areas like teaching or support but that’s the general flow of progression. It’s worth at least going for CSWA and CSWP. 2 years experience will easily get you through both of those online exams after a little revision of the exam content.

Most of my useful engineering-related programing has been in Python. Lots of data-crunching work: FEA pre/post processing, experimental structural analysis results, and my MS research work.

I dabble in lots of languages though, sort of a hobby of mine. If I were to try out this shaft tool of mine, I'd probably shoot for C# on net core, or this cool new language I've been toying around with: Nim. Python is awesome for rapid development, but it's a pain to distribute.

Maybe computational mechanics means multibody dynamics..? (Hard to tell without syllabus)

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Computational-Dynamics-Ahmed-Shabana/dp/0470686154

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Multibody dynamics and FEA are different subject. They come together if you getting into flexible multibody dynamics.

I liked hand drafting when I learned it. But honestly, nobody's going to use it for real drawings once all the old people die off. At most, they'll make quick sketches that don't even use straightedges to make straight lines.

Just use the same surface you do your homework on and you'll be fine. Or if you're feeling fancy, you could get something like this. No idea why the price skyrocketed to what it is now, could have sworn it was like 50 bucks a few years ago. If you want to spend even more money, you could get a drafting machine. That was pretty cool to use in my high school drafting class waaaay back in 2008, although they only pulled it out because I went to the IDEA competition if I remember right. :D

If you want to know methods from a conceptual point of view: Manufacturing Technology 7th ed.Ed. This is relatively in depth in terms of each process, but could serve as a cool way to explore technologies.

Are you looking to go all in with it or is there just a feeling of having the parts in your hand? A 3d printer was super worth it for me, an ender 3 runs for 200 bucks maybe less USD. It's not going to give you a milled piece of aluminum but allows you to prototype... it is part of the rapid prototyping umbrella. It also helps to learn these processes to play with features in your design, hidden pockets, filets, non circular curved surfaces, etc are all considerations that depend on the process you are taking. It's very interesteling to design a process for a part and see how a design can change to accommodate for your capabilities.

There is also Motorcycle Dynamics by Vittore Cossalter.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Dynamics-Second-Vittore-Cossalter/dp/1430308613

Well it is in english, and you can actually find it on amazon for a price way to expensive for an old book. HORLOCK 1966 I suggest you to check for the paper version in your engineer library instead of a digitalised version.

Edit: Thinking about it, if you wish to seek some paper, I can suggest you to go check "J.D. Denton" publications; his paper are usually on free access (at least on turbomachinery). But paper may not be suitable if you are only starting to learn turbomachinery.

ROS as well for sure, just start with Python and C++. ROS is essentially just a wrapper for passing data around. The ROS "nodes" that actually contain the instructions of what to do are all written in Python or C++.

Machine Learning and AI is also a great add on! Again, robotics is highly interdisciplinary: you will need to interact with electrical, computer and software engineers regularly so it helps to speak some of that language. It makes you even more valuable if you can also work a little bit in one of those other areas.

Depends on what you mean by "get into." Just a hobby, yeah, get yourself an arduino and some other kits like that and just have fun. A job? You're better off building some projects with a large codebase that you can show off as a portfolio. Personally, I felt like my formal education was lacking a bit in the code and practical side of robotics so I ended up filling in the remaining gaps in my knowledge with some of Udacity's autonomous systems classes. I've been super happy with what they offered and it quickly got me up to speed on some topics I needed for work.

Landed an internship in a 3D printing lab, decided to design a printer that would be better than what I had to work with there. This led to my current job doing machine design related things. Others have mentioned FSAE, another great resource although these teams can be close knit and hard to join in my experience. My advice is to pick something you work with regularly as it will help you stay motivated to actually finish the project. When asked about your projects always stress what you learned about cost planning and working with suppliers, lots of things are common sense in design that aren't taught in school(Or maybe I slept through those lectures)

What you should be searching for is "four bar linkage design by graphical method".

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Start on page 11 of the presentation at the following link:

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https://www.slideshare.net/mecanismosucr/mechanism-synthesis-graphical

I personally got the hang of it thanks to the materials at Lynda. YouTube also has considerable amount of tutorials, but they are mostly very specific.

>So I really want this job and want to prepare myself the best I can, but I dont have 4 grand to get a solidworks licence.

You can get a 60-day free trial I think.

Fusion 360 is not free software. There may be no cost to use Fusion 360, but that does not mean you get all the rights and benefits that come with free software. Blender is free and open source. But for a free software CAD package, I prefer FreeCAD.

Install anaconda (python +required packeges + editor) so you don't have to worry about anything. Use jupyter notebook for learning (editor for python included in anaconda). anaconda download page

Onshape had a Competition this year. The prompt was “How would you design the ultimate home office to make remote work easier, more efficient or more fun?”

Competition participants were given a three-hour time limit to accomplish the following tasks:

1.Assemble the basic robot arm system from the box and attach it to the desk.

2.Design a new end effector for the robot arm.

3.Model the elements of your work-from-home setup so that your robot will interact with the system, and show how they all work together.

(https://www.onshape.com/en/resource-center/innovation-blog/announcing-the-2021-onshape-design-competition-winners)

https://discover.solidworks.com/makers

Cloud version. $99/year

They are trying to compete with OnShape for the makers having access to non-commercial CAD needs.

OnShape has some gear functionality and Ive seen ppl trying to get the motion down for ratchet and pawl however Im not sure if it support intermittent CONTACT in motion.

Onshape acct is free for non-professionals with the caveat that all your files are public.

Another option is OnShape as it seems to be picking up on industry acceptance. Its cloud based and built by people that left Solidworks. PTC (Pro/E/CREO) just bought the company.

This is something that I look into every once in a while, also. But I'm never able to find an answer that really satisfies me.

I've fallen back on just having Parallels installed with Windows (and Ubuntu, but I'm having a hell of a time getting it to run properly) so that I can run software at home. I'm hoping that things like OnShape take off. I like the vision that Apple has been slowly-but-surely marching toward of the computer just being an access point, and all the real work being done "in the cloud", and things like this really lend themselves to that ideal.

Or get some good quality caliper, like a Mitutoyo.

This if you want to get fancy with IP67 or this for the normal stuff.

Here's my textbook from a GD&T class I took at Purdue, I still use it at my job now

https://www.amazon.com/Geometric-Dimensioning-Tolerancing-David-Madsen/dp/1605259381/ref=sr\_1\_1?dchild=1&keywords=gd%26t+madsen&qid=1624648598&sr=8-1

I like this one quite a bit.

You might find "Building Scientific Apparatus" by Moore useful, especially the first chapter. The preview on Amazon includes the table of contents.

In general stuff is more expensive on McMaster, those calipers are cheaper on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-Advanced-Absolute-Digital-Caliper/dp/B00WMKUUAQ

1. Anyone who knows anything about explosives isn't going to tell a random person on the internet how to make or use them. There are just too many ethical and legal issues.

2. Looking at your posts you clearly enjoy super hero based entertainment. You may enjoy this book https://www.amazon.com/Physics-Superheroes-James-Kakalios/dp/1592402429

I think the two common gateways into engineering are wanting to know how stuff in the real world works and wanting to make the thinks from sci-fi a reality. Sounds to me like you might be one of the people in the later camp. Stay curious.

get Madsen & Madsen's GD&T, it's the bible. like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Geometric-Dimensioning-Tolerancing-Principles-Practices-dp-1645646432/dp/1645646432/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

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Get one cheaper for like $5 if you can get it at some local library.

Needed an item machined on a lathe. Oh, by the way, the item was 36 inches in diameter. Not just any lathe would do. We contacted a local machine shop that had such a lathe. They were like, "Sure, we can do it, but the lathe is booked solid for the next 6 months...."

My quasi-machinist guy is like, "I got this."

He takes the item and mounts it to a 1/4" steel plate.

He mounts the plate to a rotary table.

He puts the rotary table on the working surface of an old-school Bridgeport mill.

He then attaches a socket with a U-joint to the "turning handle" of the rotary table. Then a 6" drive extension and another U-joint. Then a breaker bar.

The handle of the breaker bar was clamped in the chuck of a variable speed rotary welding positioner.

After he set it all up, he put a brick on the foot pedal of the positioner and.... fooking magic. No lathe required. The part rotated about a single axis while the mill took a cut. It was slow and took probably an hour per rotation, but it was perfect. So yeah, about once and hour he'd walk over to the rig and bump the table of the mill over a bit to take the next cut.

https://www.amazon.com/Happybuy-Actuator-Electric-Recliner-Massage/dp/B07MP2J1PB/ref=asc_df_B07MK1X89X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=540302748155&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4116507365746887071&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt...

I'd use a ballscrew similar to this one.

> I Have To Choose.(between CS and Mech)

No you do not nor should you. Furthermore I highly, highly, highly recommend all engineering students that aren't Computer or Software engineering to minor in CS/SE. If you plan on doing actual engineering, which means you're doing something on the RDT&E spectrum (sidebar, many engineers are hired into what I'd call maintenance or technical project management roles), in this information age you will need to know how to do some basic programming. It is helpful for simulation, numerical analysis, computation, or just simply automating the boring stuff.

If your school doesn't offer a CS/SE minor or you can't afford one, Udacity offers a load university quality courses. The 'Fundamentals' track in their programming school is basically a CS/SE minor. They also have intermediate and advanced coursework on IT and cybersecurity.

On the other side of things: a ME with knowledge in CS/SE, networking, IT, and cyber security is a very useful hire for robotics and autonomous systems companies.

> break into the robotics industry

Start here with Udacity. Half the cost of traditional education and high quality. It'll fill in all the software engineering and computer science gaps that ME grads have, provide 400/500 level instruction of robotics engineering topics and really prep you for proper graduate study in robotics if you still find it necessary.

For instance, I did the reverse, and while there was maybe a 30% over lap (Udacity taught me more material, and only one of my 8 graduate classes I couldn't get from Udacity) all of the Udacity content was written in Python or C++ (which is actually used in robotics), whereas my gradate work was in Matlab (which is not used in robotics).

If your University provides some introductory courses visit them. I learned most concepts like object oriented programming etc. in an optional Java class.

As an engineer often differential equations arise and therefore I took the following course about solving differential equations in python.

https://www.udacity.com/course/differential-equations-in-action--cs222

If you know one programming language well it's easier to learn a new one.

Alternatively there is a really good python learning playlist on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-osiE80TeTt2d9bfVyTiXJA-UTHn6WwU

Nevertheless first start with your studies and by the time you understood the concepts in mechanics and mathematics it's much more intuitive to program. This is my thought on it.

You should have taken a manufacturing class in college, pull out that textbook. This is another interesting reference: https://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-Processes-Design-Professionals-Thompson/dp/0500513759

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I'd also go ask the machinist and fabricators in your company for suggestions. Or maybe ask if you can shadow them for a day or two. Most people are happy to help and would appreciate that you want to learn what they can teach you.

So maybe you’re thinking of old cup holders?

The ones where your press in and the tray pops out, but you also just push the whole track back in when you want them gone?

Like this one found on Amazon

XKCD's "correct horse battery staple" comes to mind as a startlingly easy way to come up with better passwords that you don't have to keep changing. Length and uniqueness are key, and as you mentioned, forcing password changes regularly encourages people to reuse passwords, which makes them less secure.

Related to that, I'd love to see passwords that are just a string of emojis. There are currently 2823 emojis (source) so a 5-emoji password would take 1.7928931e+17 guesses to exhaustively brute-force. Future emoji releases would expand the search space over time too, unless the attacker knows when the password was created. Temporarily locking out an account after a series of failed login attempts is a good way to throttle the number of guesses over a period of time too. It's no substitute for patching vulnerabilities and testing your security, but it's a lot better than having to remember a new password every so many days.

if you really wanna be impressive, mitutoyo micrometer

Take a look at this poster. cocktail blueprint poster

If he drinks cocktails he will love it

Why Things Break: Understanding the World by the Way It Comes Apart by Mark Eberhart

This is my go to Mech Eng. gift! It's an amazing read, a real world study of failure mechanics. It's short and easy to read. It's affordable. It's long-lasting (it will always sit on their bookshelf and remind them of you)

I'm the upper listed author of a bridge design book. It's old and hasn't been updated for a while. I'm surprised it's still being sold.

We no longer do business with Professional Publications Inc (PPI the publisher now know as Kaplan). We have evidence that when it was PPI, the owner (Michael R. Lindeburg) was stealing royalties from us and other authors. About the time we left, we spoke to other publishers and one of them said there had been a mass exodus of authors from PPI and they were wondering why.

Oh you are the rotating door guy.

That seems a way too high a load for such thin tubes, Are you calculating, simulating or think you are experienced enough to just wing it?

Also, the friction will be quite high. A simple grease will run out in a few rotations, oil will just leak out immediately. Try to incorporate at least a bearing block (From materials like: (HMWPE/POM), A sliding bearing (maybe IGUS) or even better just 2 normal bearings like an angular contact bearings or Tapered roller bearings. They are not that expensive. Even better, just buy a ready made bearing pillow blocks. 2 per side should work. You cant use just one due to moments in the axle coming from the door.

I would suggest the cheapest option is to rig up a mechanical scale, with a display that can be read directly from the video.

Something like the link below. You can get proper, calibrated versions for not much more.

Easy to see markers, at known graduations on the moving parts make this job easier.

My biggest question though is how relevant this curve will be on a dynamic system. It’s unlikely that the force/distance curve will be the same for different rates of acceleration.

You could perhaps repeat the experiment and plot it at a range of different speeds, but this sounds like more work than your boss is interested in.

This really sounds like a project that could become much bigger than you anticipate very quickly. And I’m inclined to agree with your boss that the effort is unlikely to give you truly useful information unless you spend a lot of time on it. I would ask myself whether this is the hill I want to die on. Pick your battles.

https://www.amazon.com.au/Samsonite-Manual-Luggage-Scale-Black/dp/B01MQEWQE9/ref=asc_df_B01MQEWQE9/?tag=googleshopmob-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341745668058&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15756545865034476165&hvpone=&hvptwo=&h...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjesqagt9v6AhV5FlkFHXGqAVAQFnoECBAQAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2F160592857366.free.fr%2Fjoe%2Febooks%2FMechanical%2520Engineering%2520Books%2520Collection%2...

or https://www.amazon.com/Mechanisms-Mechanical-Devices-Sourcebook-5th/dp/0071704426

reformatting because this is the answer...

Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook by Neil Schlater

Amazon link or a PDF

I come from an industrial design background and found this book really helpful when learning to sketch in perspective:

https://www.amazon.com/Sketching-Basics-printing-Roselien-Steur/dp/9063692536

The more in depth lessons on marker shading / rendering might be more than you need but the basic drawings principles are explained concisely.

I went from mediocre at sketching to phenomenal (relative to before) and it doesn't take any special, inate artistic skill.

Get the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and work through the exercises. It focuses on portraits but the skills you learn will translate to vastly improved technical sketches.

Drawing/sketching is not an inate skill. It is just like reading. If you learn basic building blocks and practice, you'll achieve proficiency.

If you need help with the technical aspect of creating views, sections, etc, get this book: Freehand Sketching for CAD and Engineering Graphics

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-mp-microsoft-surface-3-10-8-4gb-ram-64gb-emmc-win-10-scratch-and-dent?deal_option=f3153293-6c11-45f9-9e7b-3e54187893f9

$115 for a surface 3 refurb. Can you even get an ipad with sd memory storage?

Around that age, especially for a motivated learner, a robotics kit and sensors kit are fantastic and will open up a ton of exploratory options for them.

A kit like this: KEYESTUDIO 48 Sensors Modules Starter Kit for Arduino with LCD, 5v Relay, IR Receiver, LED Modules, Servo Motor, Temperture, Gas Sensor, Programming for Beginners Adults Learning has nearly every single type of sensor we use in the real world and familiarity with using these will provide a solid basis for just about anything in the MechE/Systems/Mechatronics/ElectronicsE/ComputerE fields. They can even integrate these sensor mechanics with their Legos, for example building a vehicle then integrating sensors for remote control.

Many universities also have STEM/STEAM mentorship programs and from personal experience know that many of them would be super excited to have someone this age show interest. Doesn't even have to be a big school either, even local community colleges have these programs and most have extremely competent and experienced staff.

Finally, see if your area has a makerspace that will allow a waiver of some sort. Makers are a bit of a different breed, than the traditional engineering pipeline and generally focus more on the exploration aspect of engineering than the production side. A personal frustration is that far, far too many of our best and brightest get sucked into positions which have them creating disposable widgets to further the immediate economic needs of their employers rather than truly stretching out their abilities to the maximum benefit of all. Instilling the idea that we can create solutions that don't necessarily need an economic justification is IMO a great lesson for engineers of all ages.

Looks like one of the STEM kits on Amazon like this one: DjuiinoStar Hot Air Stirling Engine, Solid Metal Construction, Electricity Generator (DHA-BG-405)

I got these and they cut well: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Werkstatt-Pagesschneider-Facette-Fantastico-138-69-180-red-grey/dp/B00OQSG7HM/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?crid=24XTGSAAG6E7C&keywords=nws+pliers+cutter&qid=1660601144&sprefix=nws+pliers+cutter%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-12

Motorcycle builder here, I had a similar issue in my prototype fabrications so I get your need. My solution was to take an Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Protractor-Digital-Goniometer-Finder/dp/B01MFC212R electronic protractor and disassembled it to replace the simple friction shim and set screw with wedge style friction washers so it could function like a ratcheting jam nut at the set angle to dial in the rake angle on the fork during frame fabrication. Ultimately in the end you're going to want to just get a high precision assembly table with fixture hole grid and save yourself this headache in the long run.

Maybe you can start with an arduino kit then slowly make modifications and swap components out etc

https://www.amazon.com/OSOYOO-Steering-Bluetooth-Programmable-Compatible/dp/B096D8P8G7/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=arduino+rc+car+kit&qid=1659721063&sr=8-9

For the theory from the ground up, this book introduces mechanisms from a kinematics point of view. It's easy to follow and delves deeper into the mathematics should you need it. It's a brilliant resource. Though for what you want, you'd need to apply the knowledge gained from this to your imagination to 3D print some working mechanisms. Though, the theory in this book will help you immensely if you want to understand how mechanisms work and why.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theory-Machines-Mechanisms-John-Uicker/dp/0190264500/ref=asc_df_0190264500/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310867999190&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17944400526861824971&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvq...

One piece of the pie, but here's a Mechanical Engineering Design book that gets used a lot in universities. Its a core class in undergrad. But like I said, one piece of the pie. You probably want a "Mechanics of Materials" book on stress calcs. Material Selection might be another good one.

some other references include:

• Marks Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineerss

• Machinery's Handbook

Its a 4-5 year degree. There is lots to cover and a lot of math the more complicated you get, like say, trying to model Dynamic Systems.

I'm not sure if you can even get this book over there, but it might be something to look at. It covers a lot of topics that could be good for your Mechatronics course. Its written more for trade school students. I think its pretty good in that regard because it doesn't go too deep into stuff. But I would still pick and choose which sections to cover, because some of them are more relevant than others. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631269410?psc=1

Looking to just have one colour and one head. Would the normal hobby solenoid valve suffice like the one below? What exactly is the problem with having the powder passing through the valve and would there be any way to mitigate it? The pinch valve mechanism looks interesting too. I'm guessing a servo would be good enough for that?

https://www.amazon.ca/Solenoid-Normally-Pneumatic-Aluminum-Electric/dp/B07MBQ3QQS/ref=sr\_1\_9?crid=6WPWO2SFLHIJ&keywords=solenoid+valve&qid=1656650860&sprefix=solenoid+valve%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-9

Depending on how much water you need to move I recommend looking into a simple primer bulb:

https://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Transfer-Vacuum-Gasoline-Accessories/dp/B06X3R9YBN/ref=sr_1_3?gclid=CjwKCAjwquWVBhBrEiwAt1KmwkJ1Ml3XEAKUSiD5rFqNudjmGlkbb2I9qYyzcO0zyd0Xp6B4_UoX5xoC1eIQAvD_BwE&hvadid=241925297229&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9026243&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7959965811363989348&hvtargid=kwd-741294476&hydadcr=24664_10400964&keywords=primer%2Bbulb&qid=1656357438&sr=8-3&th=1

By the way the definitive resource arguing in favor of existing life on Mars is the book, Mars: the Living Planet, https://www.amazon.com/Mars-Living-Planet-Barry-DiGregorio/dp/1883319587/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25Q2M9MNEBD0G&keywords=mars+the+living+planet&qid=1656313875&sprefix=Mars+the+living+%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1

It's funny that on a trip to Florida we had some soda cans pop open in the car that left residual soda everywhere, and I got the sumps cleared with these dollar store squirt toys (see below for reference):
https://www.amazon.com/Boley-12-Pack-Super-Blaster-Soaker/dp/B07Q7GFY1H?th=1

worked like a charm

Have you seen The Way Things Work (https://www.amazon.com/Way-Things-Work-David-Macaulay/dp/0395428572) ?

This is probably your competition. It is great. It explains may scientific principles and how that are used in the real world. Also it has very funny cartoons about mammoths!

Are you trying to relieve joint stress at all three locations (hip/knee/ankle) or just a specific one? The more locations we add the heavier and more complicated (expensive) it's going to be. Pneumatics are going to be too heavy at the PSIs we need to support decent weight (air just isn't dense enough).

Here's a crazy idea, why not try attaching a resistance bar attached near the back side of your leg. Might need some messing around to figure out a good fulcrum, but that should give you assistance both sitting down and getting back up. Hardest part will be keeping your feet on the ground.

I remember being pretty intrigued by the first version of this, nice to see some really solid upgrades here! How many units can the press fill per hour with a 40ml fill?

The first thing I would do is get rid of those PID controllers and use an ESP32 (or similar) with a instead. ESP32s are under $5 a piece on Alibaba, and even on Amazon they are under $8 a unit. Even coupled with a pretty bonkers capacitive touchscreen your bill of materials should be lower than using those discrete PID controllers. The ESP32 also adds WiFi and BT capabilities, so we can avoid the dual button press and activate from an app/website. Having the touchscreen will allow you to add settings for different types of plastic (e.g. different temp settings for LDPE and HDPE).

This is one of my favorite mini manufactory projects right now, great job!

The wheels on my machine (since sold on ebay) had a bit lower durometer (i.e. softer) than standard tire material.

They did have a channel for guiding the balls.

Other standard pitching machines don't have guides on the wheels, but as you can see in this product, they are fairly heavy: https://www.amazon.com/Cheng-Shin-Marking-Pitching-Machine/dp/B00D6OMKYG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1H4T7PCW4B23X&keywords=pitching+wheel&qid=1653135083&sprefix=pitching+wheel%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4

These all seem overpriced for trial and error work. I wonder if standard tires filled with silicone would create enough momentum. In fact, if you did that with proper durometer silicone, you could remove the tire rubber and expose the silicone for better traction.

Socket set

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https://www.amazon.co.uk/17-PIECE-SOCKET-SET-RAIL/dp/B00470POIM/ref=asc\_df\_B00470POIM/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=294741411242&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16131436160356059298&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvde...

https://www.amazon.com/SDS-Plus-Diameter-Adapter-Milwaukee-Hammers/dp/B07QPGZS8K/ref=sr_1_5?crid=8C055GJFSW3L&keywords=ground+rod+driver+for+hammer+drill&qid=1651800785&sprefix=ground+rod+dr%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-5

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drill hole in this with set screw to secure.

Get a drill or lathe chuck that is large enough to go over the shaft. Use the chuck mechanism on the shaft and the drill on the other end.

Something like this Abuff 1/32"- 5/8" Heavy Duty Drill Chuck with Chuck Key MT2 Shank https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZYZ7Q2Y/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_KX0R8HS8AMK48337SYSD

I recommend a limit switch that disconnects the power to the motor. Put the limit switch on a stick for proper positioning.

It's going to be expensive for a "switch" because you'll be switching the full current of the motor. Here's one for $272 designed for exactly this purpose- you may find cheaper ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-1Ls59-Precison-Limit-Switch/dp/B0115H8A4E

Do you mean hand sketches?

If so, I have your answer you are looking for.

Read and work the exercises in "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". It is focused on drawing realistic portraits, but trust me, you will develop an appreciation and mastery of the elements needed for awesome technical hand sketches.

I also recommend the book Freehand Sketching for Computer-Aided Design and Engineering Graphics.

I get a lot of compliments on my sketching abilities. I've been asked if I'm an architect before just based on quick sketches I was doing. Somewhere in the annals of my post history, you can see the before and after of my drawing skills after following this advice.

I like this one. It's basically an annotated version of the standard, but costs less than the standard.

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing [per ASME Y14.5-2018] https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578470489/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_WYH38KGSABBW5NFNWAEE

Take a look at this book, you never know when you might need to design a mechanism that is similar to something that already exists: 507 Mechanical Movements https://www.amazon.com/dp/1614275181/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_FWZGDH3MW6XQ5ZSRD59D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Lindeburg’s MERM. Literally a 4 year degree in a book, it’s the study manual for the Professional Engineer exam in the U.S.

Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam, 12th Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591260493/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_XPQ42HZQ7QMC23JQR4DV

Welp. I'm thinking about this project more than I intended to now...

OP could use this to hand form some plastic easily. Then just epoxy a few points down and bob's your uncle.

Search on Amazon for the following (idk if links are screened on Reddit): InstaMorph Reusable Moldable Plastic | Thermoplastic Beads

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004MFLU4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_88B84DFRYNB0CJZ22DZS

In my opinion, the “Practical Electronics for Inventors” book does a pretty good job of explaining the fundamentals at an approachable level.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1259587541/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_D4FN7YETAEFRKC9V646J

https://www.amazon.com/Air-Venturi-Hand-Pump-G9/dp/B0847QLZ2F/ref=pd_lpo_3?pd_rd_i=B0847QLZ2F&psc=1

Pretty common for compressed air guns.

These are the books you want:

Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design

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Machinery Handbook

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Save some money and get older versions... There really aren't that many updates that you'd probably need to know - especially if you're just looking for some technical knowledge.

Yessir. laptops have shitty cooling capacity because they want everything to be as small as possible. There's not a whole lot you can do with them.

Now... that picuture, does the side of the board I am looking at face the bottom of the case or the keyboard? If it faces the bottom, and you want more cooling, (And you'll get to solder too!)

Get some of these

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WR99WBJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

any size you want,

Cut a square or rectangle out of the bottom of your case (Dremels are crazy cheap and useful!)

and solder them on to the top of the heat pipe so they poke out, or are flush with the bottom of your laptop. That will have a noticable difference in cooling capacity.

Someone recently made a manual laser show. It's two cams that move a laser pointer to draw a pattern on a wall.

http://hackaday.com/2017/06/15/a-mechanical-laser-show-with-3d-printed-cams-and-gears/

OwnMy Heavy Duty Adjustable Leveling Feet Hexagon Nuts Lock Furniture Legs Levelers for Furniture, Table, Cabinets, Workbench, Shelving Units and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDKZ1H2/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_NQ2V3GTHYMH56501VY4A?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

26yo female ME here!

You would most definitely need another Bachelors degree. Depending on what country you want to get your degree from/work in matters as well. I know more about the Canadian system than the American, but I work in the USA.

Enjoying the academic content, is one thing and enjoying the work is another. If you enjoy making things better, and tinkering with things, you will probably like the work (also, depends on where you are working, some engineers are managers and not designers). Basically, the opportunities for an ME are endless.

Engineering schooling is tough, but you just need to stay committed and work hard. It isn't impossible. As stated from the previous posters, take a physics class. There is more than just Dynamics though, you might also enjoy Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer or Thermo (those are my specialties). You could also do some free engineering courses on Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/ or Edx, https://www.edx.org/

PM me if you have any more questions! Sorry if the post is all over the place, I am at work lol

theyve had it for quite some time, idk if im allowed to like it but here i go

https://thepiratebay.org/search.php?q=solidworks&all=on&search=Pirate+Search&page=0&orderby=

With zero coding experience you can spend a few days with Scratch. It's designed for kids, but it's a nice tool for the very basic printiples of writing scripts and has an instant visual feedback of what you just made.
Then of course move on to the real stuff, the other comments have all the resources you need.

> Mechanical engineer will NEVER EVER need JS or PHP

I never said they did. But Code Academy doesn't have C. Code Academy is a great resource and until it adds C your next closest things are JS and PHP

> Python with couple of other packages has ability to replace MatLab completely IMO.

It doesn't.

> I am mechanical Engineering student.

And I'm a Mechanical Engineer that graduated in 2005 and have worked in industry for 10 years coming up.

http://www.codecademy.com

Pick up Python and if you're interested in learning C learn Javascript or PHP (as I've seen it called C with $$$).

Personally the syntax is close enough that I can flip between JS, PHP and C rather easily. Python is a different beast.

Fusion 360 (Personal and Startup Versions) and Onshape (Free version) are probably the best options.

Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, 12th Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/1259588505/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KDAAGHB5Y913RW087REP

One of the best technical resources I have. Has mathematics, physics and all facets of MechE.

If you can read German, check Dubbel (https://www.amazon.de/Dubbel-Taschenbuch-für-den-Maschinenbau/dp/3662620189/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=MK9853MF6AIM&keywords=dubbel+maschinenbau&qid=1639087364&sprefix=dubbel+%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1)

Or this one (https://www.amazon.de/Maschinenbau-Ein-Lehrbuch-ganze-Bachelor-Studium/dp/3662558815/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=1JTNBJWXILDQU&keywords=maschinenbau&qid=1639087390&sprefix=maschinenbau%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2)

Second the calipers.

OP, digital calipers are a daily tool for most mechanical engineers, and mitutoyo is the standard.

https://smile.amazon.com/Mitutoyo-500-197-30-Advanced-Measuring-Resolution/dp/B00I3UA89C/

I’ve used this book in the past - Experimental Solid Mechanics

It’s fine. It mostly focuses on measurement methods, rather than specific tests.

Here are some: 3 AAA holder And Not completely rounded but less footprint

Nanocad https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://nanocad.com/products/nanoCAD/&ved=2ahUKEwi26ruD76zsAhXRJzQIHaO-A8YQFjAAegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw1Y5o9cXQHFReO0nIfwHESy

Free version and has all of the same basic command's as AutoCAD, so no learning curve with it!