Mechanical Engineering for Makers: A Handson Guide to Designing and Making Physical Things

This practical, userfriendly reference book of common mechanical engineering concepts is geared toward makers who dont 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 handson, fully illustrated, stepbystep 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 readers individual preferences, skills, tools, and materialsathand. Linked together via the authors overarching project building a kidsized 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 firsthand experiences, the book presents complex concepts in an uncomplicated way.Highlights include:Provides mechanical engineering information that includes math, science, physics and engineering theory without being a textbook Contains handson projects in each chapter that require common, inexpensive, easily sourced materials and tools All handson projects are fully illustrated with stepbystep instructions Some handson projects provide alternative materials and tools/processes to align with the readers individual preferences, skills, tools and materialsathand Includes realworld 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 Make: 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!