Introduction to Machine Design

December 02, 2017 4 Comments

Drawing, as an art, is the picturisation of the imagination of the scene in its totality by an individual - the Artist. It has no standard guidelines and boundaries. Engineering drawing on the other hand is the scientific representation of an object, according to certain national and international standards of practice. It can be understood by all, with the knowledge of basic principles of drawing. Machine Drawing is the indispensable communicating medium employed in industries, to furnish all the information required for the manufacture and assembly of the components of a machine.

Industries are required to follow certain draughting standards as approved by International Organisation for Standards (ISO). When these are followed, drawings prepared by any one can convey the same information to all concerned, irrespective of the firm or even the country. Mechanical engineering students are required to practice the draughting standards in full, so that the students after their training, can adjust very well in industries.

Milling machine tail-stock Assembly Drawing

Machine Design is a branch of Mechanical Engineering and it´s a process of engineering design. A machine is made up of mechanisms that work together to satisfy the requirements of the machine objective. Mechanisms can still be used independently, such as an umbrella, but cannot accomplish what a machine can because a machine controls energy in addition to motion. Machine Design is the application of: mathematics, kinematics, statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, engineering materials, mechanical technology of metals and engineering drawing. It also involves application of other subjects like thermodynamics, electrical theory, hydraulics, engines, turbines, pumps etc.

Machine design is applied through a specific process including determining what the machine needs to do, benchmarking and defining goals and requirements, brainstorming, evaluating and selecting from the different options, creating an in-depth design, creating and testing a prototype, and finally manufacturing the machine.

Machine drawing is the integral part of the machine design, since all the components or the machines that have been designed should be drawn to manufacture them as per the specifications. Without machine drawing the subject of machine design is incomplete.



The knowledge of machine design helps the designers as follows:



1) The selection of materials and respective shapes to maximise performance,


2) To calculate the different components dimensions based on the loads on machines and strength of the material,


3) Specify the manufacturing process for the manufacture of the designed component of the machine or the whole machine.

References :
Machine Drawing by Dr. K.L. Narayana, Dr. P. Kannaiah, K. Venkata Reddy, New Age Inter. Publishers