Mechanical engineering · Build program · 2026

Project Builds

This is a mechanical engineering project portfolio. Each build teaches one measurement or design method. The pages are written for two readers: a motivated 15-year-old who needs the concept clearly explained, and an adult builder preparing senior-design-level proof.

combined theme

Low-cost mechanical engineering test systems for vehicle and propulsion measurement.

The projects move from data logging to vibration, heat transfer, kinematics, propulsion force, and structural proof loading. Each page names the build, the engineering question, the measurement, and the file or chart that closes the work.

recommended order

Build the measurement habit before the harder hardware.

Start with the OBD-II logger, then the phone mount, brake rotor study, suspension geometry sweep, EDF thrust rig, and shop press. The order keeps the first wins cheap, then adds fabrication and higher-risk testing after the evidence format is familiar.

Build 01 · Electric ducted fan3–4 weekends

Desktop Jet Engine

Question: how much thrust does a 70 mm electric ducted fan make at each RPM, and does thrust follow the expected RPM-squared trend?

EDF thrust demonstrator stand schematic Desktop jet engine · measured thrust thrust 10 kg load cell nacelle ring T = k·n²
Domainpropulsion test
Difficultyadvanced
Evidencecalibration + thrust CSV
GradeA potential
Fileschart + uncertainty

Build 02 · Recording a car’s own sensor data8–15 h

OBD-II Vehicle Data Logger

Question: can a low-cost OBD-II adapter produce a traceable four-channel drive log with units, timestamps, and charts from the raw CSV?

OBD-II logger hardware and data path schematic OBD-II logger hardware path vehicle OBD-II ELM327 CSV dashboard 3 ft extension away from pedals RPM + speed + coolant temp + voltage
Domainvehicle data
Difficultybeginner
Evidenceraw CSV + hash
GradeB alone
StretchA with dashboard

Build 03 · Welded shop press20–30 h

Welded 2-Ton Shop Press

Question: does the welded press frame bend as predicted under proof load, and what service load can be labeled from the test?

Bottle jack press frame schematic 2-ton bottle jack press frame 2,000 lb design target 6 in throat
Domainstructures
Difficultyadvanced adult-build
Evidenceproof table
GradeA with FEA
Filesdrawing + weld log

Build 04 · Vehicle thermal test12–20 h

Brake Rotor Temperature Study

Question: how close is a kinetic-energy temperature prediction to the measured rotor surface rise after a controlled stop?

Brake rotor temperature test schematic front-left rotor thermal test IR thermometer 30 s temperature log
Domainthermal test
Difficultyintermediate
Evidencecooling curve
GradeA with repeats
Filesprediction + log

Build 05 · Vibration isolation A/B20–30 h

Phone Mount Vibration Isolation Study

Question: do rubber grommets reduce phone vibration on the same route compared with a rigid mount on the same seat rail?

Rigid and rubber isolated phone mount schematic same seat rail, two mount versions rigid bracket rubber isolated bracket phone IMU vibration log grommet isolation test
Domainvibration isolation
Difficultyintermediate
EvidenceA/B logs
GradeA with model
FilesRMS + spectrum

Build 06 · Vehicle measurement study15–25 h

Front Suspension Geometry Study

Question: how does front-wheel camber change as one corner moves through wheel travel, and how repeatable are the measurements?

Suspension pickup point measurement schematic front-left corner coordinate setup X datum Z datum P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 wheel center camber sweep
Domainkinematics
Difficultyintermediate/advanced
Evidencecamber curve
GradeA with CAD model
Filespoints + repeats