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Practical Mechanics For Inventors III: Manufacturing Systems
New
100 students
Practical Mechanics For Inventors III: Manufacturing Systems
Engineering Drawings, Manufacturing and Thermofluidic Systems
Created byPedro Portugal
Last updated 11/2026
English
What you'll learn
- Interpret engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances, fits, and surface finish requirements for mechanical components and assemblies.
- Compare manufacturing processes, including machining, casting, forming, welding, and 3D printing, and select suitable methods for different design requirements.
- Understand the operation of pumps, compressors, valves, piping systems, and other thermofluid components used in mechanical machines.
- Integrate mechanical structures, actuators, drives, and transmission components while accounting for alignment, load paths, tolerances, vibration, and thermal
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Course content
7 sections • 26 lectures • 3h 33m total length
Requirements
- Basic algebra and a general familiarity with physics, forces, and motion are helpful. No prior mechanical engineering, machine design, CAD, programming, or specialized equipment experience is required. The previous entry on this series is recommended but not mandatory
Description
Mechanical engineering goes beyond designing individual components. It requires understanding how parts are manufactured, how dimensional accuracy is maintained, and how mechanical systems are assembled and integrated to perform reliably under practical operating conditions.
Mechanical Engineering: Manufacturing & Machine Systems takes you deeper into the practical side of mechanical engineering, building on the fundamentals of mechanical components and custom design to explore the processes, constraints, and system-level considerations that turn individual parts into functioning machines.
You will learn how to interpret engineering drawings, understand tolerances and fits, and evaluate manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, forming, welding, and additive manufacturing. We will explore thermofluid systems, including pumps, compressors, piping, valves, lubrication, and thermal management, along with the structural and mechanical principles involved in integrating components, actuators, drives, and complete machine assemblies.
The course also examines the relationship between manufacturing constraints, dimensional variation, alignment, structural stiffness, vibration, thermal effects, and operating conditions. You will learn how mechanical problems develop in real systems, how to investigate their underlying causes, and how testing and iterative redesign can improve performance and reliability.
Throughout the course, the emphasis is on engineering judgment and real-world trade-offs. Rather than treating manufacturing processes, components, and machine subsystems in isolation, you will learn to consider how they interact to influence manufacturability, assembly, maintenance, cost, and long-term performance.
Based on my book, Practical Mechanics for Inventors, this course is designed for engineering students, aspiring mechanical designers, makers, and inventors who want to strengthen their practical understanding of manufacturing and mechanical systems.
Who this course is for:
- This course is designed for engineering students, aspiring mechanical engineers, makers, inventors, and anyone interested in practical mechanical design and machine building. It is especially valuable for learners who want to understand how mechanical components work, how to select them correctly, and how individual parts come together in real machines. Beginners are welcome, with only basic algebra and familiarity with forces and motion recommended.