I know I posted this thread on mechanical engineering forum but maybe my question could also be related to the industrial side as well. Help would be greatly appreciated! Hello all, I am a freshman enrolled in Mechanical engineering. Growing up, I have always been fascinated by the LEGO technic toys and the real-life machines and wondered how do engineers design these machines and mechanisms. When someone design a complex machine or a mechanism, how do they figure out the size of each components(gears, axle, pulleys...etc) inside the machine? And how do they decide on what machine elements they are going to use and place them in which places inside the machine..etc ? Decisions on shape of each elements..etc They must have the ability to see the big picture in the back of their mind and visualize the the whole mechanism working to achieve the desired functions. As above, I want to know more on this area. But I do not know where to look for. I asked a professor and he told me to look into synthesis or machinery. Help would be greatly appreciated! Sincerely,
Hi Goldenwheatfield, Really your question is not complicated. Listen, all the thinks which consists of to designed process come from the need. In Poland we say "Potrzeba matką wynalazku" what mean " The need for the mother of invention". First, you must know what you really want to do. Then you must express construction assumptions fo receiving: -how the thing work description; -situation data; -quantitative data; If you had this 3 points, then you must make a work concept, with law min. 3 another ... Then optimal choice concept, and preliminary project with calculations of the critical elements like gearbox/ clutch/ a elements of pnematic etc.; The general project/ drawings - ewentually special technology reservation. Cheers from windy Poland KKA
Hi Goldenwheatfield, What you're essentially saying is that you enjoy complex mechanical mechanisms and how they come into existence? It's probably as the reverse of what you imagine - there is very rarely any overlord that dictates what X, Y and Z components must be. To take the example of let's say, a tipper truck (a truck that is designed to transport building rubble etc from one place to another), then firstly, there must be a requirement for such a design - anything that is manufactured in quantity is driven firstly by customer need. Then come such things as space restrictions - the vehicle cannot exceed a width of X, as otherwise it won't fit on the road, and also it can't be longer than Y, otherwise it will be too difficult to reverse into tight places. Then comes the load carrying requirement - this will govern the choice of engine and gearbox to a large extent, when combined with the specification of the vehicles nominal cruising speed and gradient climbing ability. Then another set of requirements is thrown into the mix - the requirement to be economical in fuel consumption, maintenance, and also to be as environmentally friendly as possible. I think you start to get the picture... So the designer starts with the fundamental unalterable requirements and then asks a lot of other people how best they can integrate their equipment into the overall design - the engine in this case will figuratively 'drive' most of the other components, so a gearbox manufacturer will be consulted as to what box they have that will best suit the crankshaft horsepower of the engine, and also how compact it is. Then the vehicle must be able to stop effectively - given a specific speed at a specific load, which brake manufacturer can provide an effective, cost efficient system that draws as little as possible power from the engine. The list goes on and on... In any complex system such as a vehicle, you'll have at least 500 separate engineers and designers from multiple Companies and disciplines involved, and probably at least 50 involved in the engine alone. Industrial design processes are usually determined through constraints, as opposed to vision, so don't expect at some stage in the future to walk into the Managing Directors office and place down the plans for a wonderful new complex machine - it will involve many more people than just yourself. Also, if I may provide some advice, take a moment to think about how complex some apparently relatively uncomplex mechanisms actually are - when you achieve a better understanding of the multiple complexities of designing something which is at face value simple and obvious, then I think you'll have a far better understanding of the career you wish to pursue. Good luck with your studies. K.I.S.S.
Hello, Basically the main constraints for new product are given by the customer. Then whats 'inside' is a derivative from previous similar designs (you very seldom design from point zero) and new requirements. Each change of design is carefully rewieved and tested, then implemented. I think you should study a general Mechanical Design and develop your interests in machinery by following current designs (drawings, part-cut views etc...). The area of your interests is called in industry a 'system design'. also, it's pretty interesting... Good luck. Michal
Hello, I think you could graduate in any general Mechanical Design study. Develop your curiosity by investigating complex systems already build, working... even if they're old and basic. The area in industry of your interests is called 'system design'. Good luck, Michal
