Machine Design Fundamentals: Theory & Calculations
Size shafts, bearings, gears, fasteners and springs from first principles — before you ever open CAD.
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About this course
Course overview
The engineering theory that separates a CAD operator from a machine designer. We cover materials selection, classical failure theories, and the hand-calculations that drive every shaft, bearing, gear, fastener, and spring in a real machine. By the end, you'll size mechanical components from first principles and walk into your CAD package already knowing the answer.
Curriculum
What you'll cover
Materials & Mechanical Properties
Steel, aluminum, polymers, composites — strength, stiffness, fatigue, hardness, and a working framework for material selection.
Stress, Strain & Failure Theories
Axial / bending / torsional stress, principal stresses, von Mises vs. Tresca, fatigue (S-N curves), and choosing a defensible factor of safety.
Shafts, Keys & Couplings
Shaft sizing under combined loading, key and spline strength, rigid vs. flexible couplings, and critical speed basics.
Bearings, Gears & Power Transmission
Rolling-element bearing life (L10), gear tooth strength (Lewis/AGMA basics), belt and chain drives, and gearbox sizing.
Fasteners, Springs & Joints
Bolted joint preload and stiffness, thread strength, weld joint sizing, and helical compression / extension / torsion springs.
Outcomes
By the end you'll be able to
- Size shafts, bearings, gears, fasteners and springs from first principles
- Apply the right failure theory and factor of safety for the load case
- Justify every dimension on a drawing with engineering math
- Walk into CAD with the answer already calculated
Who it's for
- • Mechanical engineers moving from CAD-only to design ownership
- • Designers who want the theory their CAD package assumes
- • Junior engineers preparing for design reviews
Prerequisites
- • Engineering statics and basic strength of materials
- • No prior design-machine experience required
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