Explore this direction
This page shows what the work can look like, which courses matter most, and one first project you can try before committing to this direction.
What you work on
- Parts and assemblies
- Mechanisms and machine elements
- CAD models and drawings
- Materials and fasteners
- Manufacturability and fit
Typical tasks
- Create CAD models and drawings
- Choose materials and fasteners
- Check loads and simple failure risks
- Review tolerances and assembly constraints
- Document design decisions
Roles this can support
- Mechanical Design Engineer
- Product Development Engineer
- Machine Design Engineer
- CAD/Design Engineer
- Mechanical Project Engineer
Core courses that matter most
Advanced methods that help
- Finite Element Methods
- Optimization for Mechanical Engineers
- Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification
Common mistake to avoid
Making something that looks good in CAD but cannot be manufactured, assembled, or justified.
First project
Adjustable Desk-Mounted Clamp Arm
Design an adjustable desk-mounted clamp arm that holds a small device securely, with CAD, drawings, material choice, fastener choice, and a simple load check.
Real-world problem
A student, technician, or lab user needs to mount a small camera, sensor, lamp, or phone above a desk without drilling holes into the table. The mount must clamp securely, allow angle adjustment, and hold the object without slipping during normal use.
Engineering problem
Design a compact adjustable clamp arm that can hold a 0.5–1.0 kg object at approximately 150–250 mm from the desk edge.
What you must decide
- How the clamp grips the desk
- Where the main load path goes
- Which joint allows adjustment without becoming weak
- Which fasteners are needed
- Which material is reasonable
- How the design could be manufactured
Evidence to produce
- CAD assembly
- Part drawing
- Simple load check
- Material choice
- Fastener choice
- Manufacturing note
- Short design justification
Reflection after the project
- Did you enjoy turning a vague need into geometry and decisions?
- Did you like working with CAD, drawings, fasteners, and load checks?
- Did you enjoy balancing function, size, strength, and manufacturability?
- Would you like to repeat this type of work for different products?