Practical design knowledge organised by subject. Every topic opens its own reference page, with formulas, examples and design decisions together.
Sheet metal
Materials, stock formats, bend and mass calculations, tolerances, fabrication and project notes.
Open topic →CAD & documentationCATIA V5 · CAD workflow
Model intent, robust references, assembly checks and drawing release.
Open topic →Drawings & tolerancesISO limits, fits and drawing decisions
A compact design reference for choosing and communicating dimensional tolerances in real machine assemblies. Use the separate terminology glossary for…
Open topic →Drawings & tolerancesSurface texture and drawing indications
Surface finish is a functional requirement, not a cosmetic number. Specify it where friction, sealing, wear, fatigue, lubrication or assembly performance…
Open topic →Materials & sectionsSteel designation and material coding
A steel name communicates either its intended application or its chemical composition. A complete purchasing or BOM specification must also identify the…
Open topic →Materials & sectionsAluminium alloys and industrial applications
Aluminium selection begins with the product route: wrought alloy for sheet, bar, tube or extrusion; casting alloy for complex near-net-shape parts. The alloy…
Open topic →Materials & sectionsAluminium profiles and section-property selection
Profile selection is not only a material decision. Cross-sectional area controls mass and axial capacity, while section modulus and second moment of area…
Open topic →Materials & sectionsCasting and plastic-part tolerances
Near-net-shape parts do not leave the mould at a perfectly fixed size. Casting process capability, machining allowance, thermal contraction and post-shrinkage…
Open topic →Machine elementsShaft–hub connections and parallel keys
A parallel key creates a positive-locking torque path between a shaft and hub. Correct selection requires more than choosing a standard width: the shaft, key,…
Open topic →Machine elementsSplined shaft joints and fit selection
A spline distributes torque across several teeth around the shaft instead of concentrating the load in one key. It is useful when torque capacity, repeated…
Open topic →Machine elementsRolling-bearing selection and load direction
Bearing selection begins with the complete load case—not the shaft diameter alone. Radial and axial forces, speed, misalignment, stiffness, thermal growth,…
Open topic →Machine elementsBearing sealing systems for contaminated machinery
In wet, abrasive equipment, sealing is a layered system: exclude water and stone dust, retain lubricant, release trapped liquid and keep wear parts…
Open topic →Machine elementsBearing lubrication and grease selection
A bearing lubricant separates rolling contacts, limits wear, carries heat and protects against corrosion. Selection must combine base-oil viscosity, thickener…
Open topic →MaintenanceMaintenance, inspection and repair planning
Effective MRO keeps a machine in its required condition, detects deterioration before quality is lost and restores function after a fault. The plan should…
Open topic →MaintenanceCorrective, risk-based and reliability-centered maintenance
Choose a maintenance strategy from the function that must be preserved, the ways it can fail and the consequences of failure. A machine can need several…
Open topic →MaintenanceMaintenance records and fault history
A useful service record connects the initial condition, diagnosis, work performed and verified outcome. It supports handover, quality management and later…
Open topic →MachiningMachining force and spindle-power estimate
A first machine-tool check links the uncut chip area to cutting force, cutting power and required drive power. It is an engineering estimate for selecting and…
Open topic →MachiningDrilling speed, feed and cycle-time estimate
Start with a cutting speed and feed recommended for the work material, drill material, diameter and hole condition. Convert those inputs into spindle speed and…
Open topic →MachiningLongitudinal turning: depth, speed and feed
Roughing removes stock; finishing prioritizes size and surface quality. Choose cutting data for the insert, work material and setup rigidity—not from diameter…
Open topic →MachiningTaper turning: ratio and setting angle
Use large diameter D, small diameter d and axial taper length L, all in the same unit. The compound-rest setting relative to the spindle axis is the half-angle…
Open topic →MachiningMilling: from tooth feed to table feed
Select cutting data for the work material, cutter and setup. Fischer's milling tables distinguish HSS from coated carbide; their ranges are starting points,…
Open topic →MachiningMilling engagement and material removal rate
After calculating table feed, include the cut cross-section. For a straight, constant-engagement cut, use cutting depth ap and working width ae in mm.
Open topic →MachiningMilling vibration: check the setup first
Use this short checklist before changing speed and feed. A surface mark or noise is an observation, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Open topic →MachiningMilling: give chips a way out
Chip evacuation deserves a separate check alongside vibration. In deep cavities, retained chips may be cut again. A coarser-pitch cutter provides more space…
Open topic →MachiningMilling: identify edge damage before adjusting
After checking chip evacuation, inspect the cutting edge under safe conditions. Different damage mechanisms can require different responses.
Open topic →Design toolsPiping design
Process and hygienic piping, pipe dimensions, flow calculation, routing and release checks.
Open topic →Design toolsStress calculations
Normal, shear, bending, torsional, thermal and equivalent stress with worked examples.
Open topic →Design toolsStrain calculations
Normal, true, shear, volumetric and thermal strain, with principal-strain and tensor notes.
Open topic →Design toolsGeometric dimensioning & tolerancing
Form, profile, orientation, position and runout controls, with datum and inspection notes.
Open topic →Design toolsStandard components
Fasteners, springs, bearings, seals, locating elements and operating hardware.
Open topic →Design toolsPower & motion systems
Power sources, actuators, transmission, motion guidance and controls.
Open topic →Machine elementsGearbox manufacturers
Manufacturer websites and product-configuration links.
Open topic →CAD & documentationEnglish–German engineering glossary
Technical terms for drawings, materials, machining and machine design.
Open topic →No matching topic. Try another word.