Mechanical Design
Introductory book
A very good introductory book about Mechanical Design is:
- [Skakoon2008]Skakoon J.G., The Elements of Mechanical Design, ASME Press, 2008.
Main rules from this book:
Create designs that are explicitly simple - keep complexity intrinsic
Keep the functions of a design independent from one another
Use exact constraint when designing structures and mechanisms. Never overconstrain a design!
- Plan the load path in parts, structures and assemblies.
Triangulate parts and structures to make them stiffer
- Avoid bending stresses. Prefer tension and compression.
Improve designs with self-help.
Manage friction in mechanisms. Use friction deliberately or avoid it.
Important topics in Design and Mechanical Design in particular are:
1. Design light and stiff 2. Exact constraint design 3. The engineering design process 4. Design for manufacturability: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_for_manufacturability 5. Design for assembly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_for_assembly
Topics of more recent importance, because we only have 1 Earth, are: 1. Design for repairability 2. Design for sustainability 3. Circular design