EEVblog-Like Forum for Mechanical Engineering?

[Technobabble_]

The title says it all. I know about Hackaday and Thingiverse, but they don't exactly have the same feel. What other fourms do you recommend for mechanical engineering stuff?

[Dubbie]

For machinebuilding, CNCZone is ok-ish.

What particular area of mechanical engineering are you interested in?

[rhb]

I suspect you'll find plenty of people around here.  I've got a lathe, mill, welder, etc.  Actually several of each, but that's another story.  I'm quite happy to mix it up with mechanical engineering. How exotic do you want to get?  If you go as far as the mechanical properties of porous media I know quite a lot.  Less exotic, not so much.  Solid grasp of the basics, but slow from lack of education and practice.  On the plus side, I have a 5000+ volume technical library.

The older crowd here seems to have done everything one can imagine at some point.  Reminds me of Usenet in the late 80's and early 90's and the folks I worked with at oil company R&D labs.

Read the "has anyone built a mass spectrometer" thread.

Have Fun!
Reg

[Simon]

maybe Dave should create a mechanical subsection engineers will be engineers and not compartmentalize their skills and interests, that is the point of engineering.

[AllTheGearNoIdea]

I think I would quite like to see some form of mechanical engineering I’m especially interested in rapid prototyping 3D Printing and CNC milling for circuit boards etc. Been questions I have wanted to post but wanted to avoid taking the other forum section off topic.  I know Dave Jones had an interest in CNC for a while didn’t he have a milling machine in his store.  Oh we’ll cannot please everyone all the time and there is just not enough hour in the day.

My best regards to everyone on the forum

We all know failed electronics engineers become software engineers
I’m a failed electronics engineers so mechanical engineering looks like the next step for me

Chris

[Brumby]

maybe Dave should create a mechanical subsection engineers will be engineers and not compartmentalize their skills and interests, that is the point of engineering.

I can see how Dave might resist this idea.  Keeping electronics as the focus has been a clear objective he has maintained all along - at least through all the content and discussion I have been exposed to.  I can understand that.

At the same time, electronics has made extensive inroads into many mechanical processes with lathes, milling machines and a host of other CNC equipment - and now we have laser cutters, 3D printers and a whole new world of manufacturing where electronics is an integral part.

We have had a number of threads where mechanical engineering subjects have been discussed - and these have been allowed to run, so there is no taboo as such, but is that an argument for a separate subsection?  I don't know.

[Simon]

Strangely mechanical and CNC forums have electronics sections....

[Brumby]

Not the best logical argument.  It fails the converse test.

In the current state of technology - CNC discussions especially - rely on electronics.  Without discussions on that, the subject is extremely limited.

Electronics does not rely on CNC or mechanical engineering to the same extent - by a long chalk (if at all).  IF you were to completely eliminate any and all references to mechanical engineering and CNC from the EEVblog, the impact would be very limited and discussions on a wide range of topics would be completely unaffected.


Please note that I do not hold a position against the idea - but I wonder if it is necessary to create a separate section.

[Dubbie]

I would like one.

I like where electronics and mechanical engineering intersect. Robin Renzettis channel is a perfect example.

[ChunkyPastaSauce]

I would like one.

I like where electronics and mechanical engineering intersect. Robin Renzettis channel is a perfect example.

Mechatronics

[jeremy]

+1 for a CNC/mechanical section

[mtdoc]

While not strictly speaking mechanical engineering,  I'm finding The Hobby Machinist Forum to be quite EEVBlog like - with a mix of hobbyists and professional machinists. Even some MEs.

[Simon]

Not the best logical argument.  It fails the converse test.

In the current state of technology - CNC discussions especially - rely on electronics.  Without discussions on that, the subject is extremely limited.

Electronics does not rely on CNC or mechanical engineering to the same extent - by a long chalk (if at all).  IF you were to completely eliminate any and all references to mechanical engineering and CNC from the EEVblog, the impact would be very limited and discussions on a wide range of topics would be completely unaffected.


Please note that I do not hold a position against the idea - but I wonder if it is necessary to create a separate section.

Yes and no. You can barely work in electronics today without being able to work with enclosures and putting connectors through enclosures, this is near impossible without mechanical CAD. Every job i have done for someone has involved "mechanics" and my ability to deliver 3D models has been key. Customers also expect it now and this is backed up by the ability of even the low end packages to produce 3D models, from there you are into fitting things into enclosures and milling holes. I invested as much in a small mill than I did in my power supply or thermal imaging camera.

[Dubbie]

the hobby machinist has a weird evangelical christian vibe going on.

[mtdoc]

the hobby machinist has a weird evangelical christian vibe going on.

Ooh - really? Yuck. I'm a fairly new lurker there and haven't noticed that - at least not in the posters. Examples?

The forum originator does have some site history, etc stuff that is outside the regular forum postings but I haven't looked at that much and didn't pick up on the ec stuff.

[mtdoc]

While not strictly speaking mechanical engineering,  I'm finding The Hobby Machinist Forum to be quite EEVBlog like - with a mix of hobbyists and professional machinists. Even some MEs.

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/pages/siterules/

Wow. Just wow. I wonder if signing up for that site signs away my soul to him. Dave could learn a few things from this lunatic! 

Those just seem like pretty common forum rules spelled out clearly for sure (in bold caps!) but nothing remarkable. Even though Dave doesn't spell them out, I'm pretty sure many of those rules are in force here when needed to justify banning people which does happen here (justly!) from time to time.

While I appreciate Dave and Simon's mostly hands off moderation here - IME, that is not really the norm for most quality internet forums.

Not to mention that his site is absolutely plastered with garbage ads. What an abomination.

Hmm. I see zero adds. None. But I do have Ad Blocker installed in my browser - as always.

Still not seeing any EC stuff..

Regardless - the actual content of the forum posts on machining, tools etc I think is very good.

Any reccomendations on other Machinist forums that are newbie friendly?

[Brumby]

Yes and no. You can barely work in electronics today without being able to work with enclosures and putting connectors through enclosures, this is near impossible without mechanical CAD. Every job i have done for someone has involved "mechanics" and my ability to deliver 3D models has been key. Customers also expect it now and this is backed up by the ability of even the low end packages to produce 3D models, from there you are into fitting things into enclosures and milling holes. I invested as much in a small mill than I did in my power supply or thermal imaging camera.

That's why I don't have a problem with discussion on the subject - but the truth be told, that's more of an adjunct than a core element of the subject of electronics.

[rx8pilot]

My CNC machine is literally 4 feet away from my pick and place machine.

In my world, EE and ME are truly a blended effort. My electronics are dependent on mechanics and my mechanics are dependent on electronics.

I would certainly welcome a discussion here for ME and CNC.

Short and misplld from my mobile......

[Brumby]

Yes .... Your setup is one that has been buzzing around in the back of my mind during all this...

[Simon]

Those just seem like pretty common forum rules spelled out clearly for sure (in bold caps!) but nothing remarkable. Even though Dave doesn't spell them out, I'm pretty sure many of those rules are in force here when needed to justify banning people which does happen here (justly!) from time to time.

While I appreciate Dave and Simon's mostly hands off moderation here - IME, that is not really the norm for most quality internet forums.

It's hard to know how much to spell out and how much not to. I think after past experiences Dave does state that you loose your copyright on anything you post but that is simply a legal angle to avoid problems. I'm sure if you ask nicely for a good reason you stuff will get removed if you can't be bothered to do it yourself.

Rules were not particularly lengthily on here until people took the micky and thought that a lack of clear rules was an invitation to cause trouble some were made up to keep them quite but I think as stated somewhere in the rules we will make a judgement at the time based on the situation and that's that, like it or lump it. It's worked so far.

[ivaylo]

+1 for mechanical section. Even Dave spends like 20% of say a design review on mechanicals and how are things put and kept together. Not always trivial...

[Circlotron]

I would like one.

I like where electronics and mechanical engineering intersect.

Car engine and body electronics.

[Zero999]

I think it's a good idea.

[Simon]

My PCB layout library parts first start as a 3D model.....

[tszaboo]

There's nothing more frustrating after spending $2000 on a prototype 8L PCB with impedance control and HDI, and another $2000 on a custom made CNC enclosure, only to find a stupid connector won't fit.

You print your design on a 1:1 scale. Find a cardboard that is about 1.6mm thick, farnell boxes are sometimes like that. Glue the paper on the cardboard. Cut it out. Make a x mark on TH components with . Place components on the cardboard. Try connectors, if you can reach it, have space for fingers,  it doesn't feel wrong, sticks out enough, etc.
99% of the time it works. I've saved a lot of prototypes with this technique.

+1 for the mechanical section. It is as important to electronics as software and firmware.

[wraper]

Electronics does not rely on CNC or mechanical engineering to the same extent - by a long chalk (if at all).  IF you were to completely eliminate any and all references to mechanical engineering and CNC from the EEVblog, the impact would be very limited and discussions on a wide range of topics would be completely unaffected.

LOL, you cannot build finished device without involving mechanical engineering. I consider electronics a bit more than spewing out bare PCBs.

[Simon]

it's quite hard to plan holes on a cast box with draft angles without 3D cad that can then spit out a drawing for machining on a home mill.

[tpowell1830]

I think I would quite like to see some form of mechanical engineering I’m especially interested in rapid prototyping 3D Printing and CNC milling for circuit boards etc. Been questions I have wanted to post but wanted to avoid taking the other forum section off topic.  I know Dave Jones had an interest in CNC for a while didn’t he have a milling machine in his store.  Oh we’ll cannot please everyone all the time and there is just not enough hour in the day.

My best regards to everyone on the forum

We all know failed electronics engineers become software engineers
I’m a failed electronics engineers so mechanical engineering looks like the next step for me

Chris

If you're saying that mechanical engineering is a step down from electronics engineering, you are badly mistaken.

However, CNC machining is not the only aspect of mechanical engineering. When I did mechanical engineering, some of the problems that had to be overcome were mostly in unknown territory. Many MEs run into this situation on a daily basis and gladly work through the problem. This was the draw for me to mechanical engineering. Just to be clear, I have worked as a machinist as well and understand the fundamental problems regarding making parts of any kind.

Yes, that's right, I am one of the old goats that have done everything, as someone said. I have not done everything, but I will continue to expand as needed to complete my tasks. I am 64 and still chasing nirvana in the technology field. I think everyone should try it out, I love the fact that I have been able to do so many different types of jobs.

Back to the question at hand, I can understand if Dave does not want his forum to diverge into areas where he is not expert and to stick to his field. However, one thread devoted to mechanical issues related to electronics would be in order, IMHO. I have always said that problems with electronic assemblies are usually from mechanical problems (outside of bad electrical/electronic designs, of course). This could be an area where members could throw out those pesky ME problems for help and discussion.

One other point that I would make is that there are many discussions/threads here that are so far from electronics that even Dave would admit is not even technical. OHHH politics...

Lastly, I also request a perma thread here and allow members to get those type of discussions started. I, for one, would participate as a semi-expert as well as ask questions like a novice. There are many more things that I haven't done than I have done (which is always my outlook on learning).

Just my 2 cents...

[Brumby]

There's nothing more frustrating after spending $2000 on a prototype 8L PCB with impedance control and HDI, and another $2000 on a custom made CNC enclosure, only to find a stupid connector won't fit.

You print your design on a 1:1 scale. Find a cardboard that is about 1.6mm thick, farnell boxes are sometimes like that. Glue the paper on the cardboard. Cut it out. Make a x mark on TH components with . Place components on the cardboard. Try connectors, if you can reach it, have space for fingers,  it doesn't feel wrong, sticks out enough, etc.
99% of the time it works. I've saved a lot of prototypes with this technique.

+1 for the mechanical section. It is as important to electronics as software and firmware.

Cardboard Aided Design.   

I've done this myself.  I still have the original pieces from a project I did in 1993.

It wasn't absolutely necessary - but it was helpful.

[gamalot]

Usually I use Autodesk Inventor for mechanical design, and I would like to learn Solidworks once I have the time. 

[cdev]

I take it one step farther and actually make a box out of cardboard. I'm embarrassed to say that often that ends up being the case. But often it does work well enough to just leave something in one. Plus its cheap.

There's nothing more frustrating after spending $2000 on a prototype 8L PCB with impedance control and HDI, and another $2000 on a custom made CNC enclosure, only to find a stupid connector won't fit.

You print your design on a 1:1 scale. Find a cardboard that is about 1.6mm thick, farnell boxes are sometimes like that. Glue the paper on the cardboard. Cut it out. Make a x mark on TH components with . Place components on the cardboard. Try connectors, if you can reach it, have space for fingers,  it doesn't feel wrong, sticks out enough, etc.
99% of the time it works. I've saved a lot of prototypes with this technique.

+1 for the mechanical section. It is as important to electronics as software and firmware.

Cardboard Aided Design.   

I've done this myself.  I still have the original pieces from a project I did in 1993.

It wasn't absolutely necessary - but it was helpful.

[Neomys Sapiens]

We all know failed electronics engineers become software engineers
I’m a failed electronics engineers so mechanical engineering looks like the next step for me

Ein MASCHINENBAUER ist ein Landwirt mit einem selbstfahrenden Arbeitsgeraet!

[jonovid]

« on: January 22, 2018, 05:59:06 AM »
The title says it all. I know about Hackaday and Thingiverse, but they don't exactly have the same feel. What other fourms do you recommend for mechanical engineering stuff?

eevblog could diversify into other disciplines of engineering , as in mechanical engineering
but each and every new engineering discipline forum/blog would require its own set of forum moderators in that engineering discipline.
in order to fully understand the forum posts.  keep it all in control  .

[wraper]

« on: January 22, 2018, 05:59:06 AM »
The title says it all. I know about Hackaday and Thingiverse, but they don't exactly have the same feel. What other fourms do you recommend for mechanical engineering stuff?

eevblog could diversify into other disciplines of engineering , as in mechanical engineering
but each and every new engineering discipline forum/blog would require its own set of forum moderators in that engineering discipline.
in order to fully understand the forum posts.  keep it all in control  .

This forum is basically self moderating. There are no moderators watching after specific topics.

[LaserSteve]

What? No GAD Program ?  Gad is great that it works across all disciplines of engineering without any additional program modules or added expense...   Graphite Aided Design, the drawing course required of all students when I was a student in the college of engineering.  Next year's class after me got CAD.  CAD class was so much easier.. 

I would like to see an integrated ME forum or Section on EEVBLOG... +1

Steve

[Brumby]

Would that be the MEVblog sub-forum, then?


(I can see some particle physicists interested in the name, though.)

[Galenbo]

I think EE and ME are very related, and don't believe in people who believe in the full separation of knowledge between the two.
At the same time, both of them touch mounting, biology, math, Cad design, sales, chemistry etc...

But for 1 forum, I do believe in the separation, an EE-ME forum/site would evolve to a "general engineering" forum, missing the technical specifics of both disciplines.