Mechanical Engineering for Makers: A Hands-on Guide to Designing and Making Physical Things

by Brian Bunnell, Samer Najia

This practical, user-friendly reference book of common mechanical engineering concepts is geared toward makers who don't have (or want) an engineering degree but need to know the essentials of basic mechanical elements to successfully accomplish their personal projects. The book provides practical mechanical engineering information (supplemented with the applicable math, science, physics, and engineering theory) without being boring like a typical textbook. Most chapters contain at least one hands-on, fully illustrated, step-by-step project to demonstrate the topic being discussed and requires only common, inexpensive, easily sourced materials and tools. Some projects also provide alternative materials and tools and processes to align with the reader's individual preferences, skills, tools, and materials-at-hand. Linked together via the authors' overarching project -- building a kid-sized tank -- the chapters describe the thinking behind each mechanism and then expands the discussions to similar mechanical concepts in other applications. Written with humor, a bit of irreverence, and entertaining personal insights and first-hand experiences, the book presents complex concepts in an uncomplicated way.

Highlights

Provides mechanical engineering information that includes math, science, physics and engineering theory without being a textbook Contains hands-on projects in each chapter that require common, inexpensive, easily sourced materials and tools All hands-on projects are fully illustrated with step-by-step instructions Some hands-on projects provide alternative materials and tools/processes to align with the reader's individual preferences, skills, tools and materials-at-hand Includes real-world insights from the authors like tips and tricks ("Staying on Track") and fail moments ("Lost Track!") Many chapters contain a section ("Tracking Further") that dives deeper into the chapter subject, for those readers that are interested in more details of the topic Builds on two related projects to link and illustrate all the chapter topics and bring individual concepts together into one system Furnishes an accompanying website that offers further information, illustrations, projects, discussion boards, videos, animations, patterns, drawings, etc.

Learn to effectively use professional mechanical engineering principles in your projects, without having to graduate from engineering school!

Genres: Engineering, Nonfiction, Science

232 pages, Paperback

Published February 18, 2020

Reviews

[Anya Mondragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiring and exciting and easy to read

[Patrick DiJusto · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is biased because I'm the editor of this book. But I seriously and honestly think it's worth 5 stars.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Well written and easy to follow. Breaks down complex subjects in an understandable, intuitive, hands on way.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty of useful information about structures, gears, levers and the like, but also a lot on projects I will never build. But a useful reference nonetheless

[William-Henri Turgeon-Dupuis · Rating 3 out of 5]

grille pour choix des adhésif pour différent matériaux très utile

[Beck Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction into the world of bridging the gap between the design process and design concepts; real world application and mediums to make said designs come to fruition. The book gives ideas on how you can refine your ideas to become more practical and direct. The reader gets walked through designing a project, choosing materials, completing the project, and thinking on your feet throughout the whole process. I would guess that the target audience is likely kids from age 10-16. Throughout the book there is a section called "Tracking Further" that goes into more depth explaining the math and formulas behind some of the projects in the book.