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1 - MECHANICAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2012

John H. Moore ,
Christopher C. Davis  and
Michael A. Coplan
With contributions by
Sandra C. Greer
John H. Moore
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, College Park
Christopher C. Davis
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, College Park
Michael A. Coplan
Affiliation:
University of Maryland, College Park
Sandra C. Greer
Affiliation:
Mills College, California
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Summary

Every scientific apparatus requires a mechanical structure, even a device that is fundamentally electronic or optical in nature. The design of this structure determines to a large extent the usefulness of the apparatus. It follows that a successful scientist must acquire many of the skills of the mechanical engineer in order to proceed rapidly with an experimental investigation.

The designer of research apparatus must strike a balance between the makeshift and the permanent. Too little initial consideration of the expected performance of a machine may frustrate all attempts to get data. Too much time spent planning can also be an error, since the performance of a research apparatus is not entirely predictable. A new machine must be built and operated before all the shortcomings in its design are apparent.

The function of a machine should be specified in some detail before design work begins. One must be realistic in specifying the job of a particular device. The introduction of too much flexibility can hamper a machine in the performance of its primary function. On the other hand, it may be useful to allow space in an initial design for anticipated modifications. Problems of assembly and disassembly should be considered at the outset, since research equipment rarely functions properly at first and often must be taken apart and reassembled repeatedly.

Make a habit of studying the design and operation of machines. Learn to visualize in three dimensions the size and positions of the parts of an instrument in relation to one another.

Type
Chapter
Information
Building Scientific Apparatus , pp. 1 - 75
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2009

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References

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Newland, D. E., Mechanical Vibration Analysis and Computation, 5th edn., Longman Scientific & Technical, Essex, England and John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1989.Google Scholar
Rao, S. S., Mechanical Vibrations, 2nd edn., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1990.Google Scholar
Weaver, Jr. W., Timoshenko, S. P., and Young, D. H., Vibration Problems in Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1990.Google Scholar
Deutschman, A. D., Michels, W. J., and Wilson, C. E., Machine Design, Macmillan, New York, 1975.Google Scholar
Faires, V. M., Design of Machine Elements, 4th edn., Macmillan, New York, 1965.Google Scholar
Parr, R. E., Principles of Mechanical Design, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1970.Google Scholar
Phelan, R. M., Fundamentals of Mechanical Design, 3rd edn., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1970.Google Scholar
Smith, S. T. and Chetwynd, D. G., Foundations of Ultraprecision Mechanism Design, Gordan and Breach Science Publishers, Philadelphia, 1992.Google Scholar
French, T. E. and Vierck, C. J., Engineering Drawing and Graphic Technology, 11th edn., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1972; (entitled A Manual of Engineering Drawing in its first 10 editions).Google Scholar
Ciesecke, F. E., Mitchell, A., Spencer, H. C., and Hill, I. L., Technical Drawing, 5th edn., Macmillan, New York, 1967.Google Scholar
Timings, R., Mechanical Engineer's Pocket Book, 3rd edn., Newnes/Elsevier, Oxford, 2006.Google Scholar
Pohandish, R. P. (Ed.), Machinery's Handbook Pocket Companion, Industrial Press Inc., New York, 2000.
Mathews, C., A. S. M. E. Engineer's Data Book, 2nd edn., ASME Press, NY, 2001.Google Scholar
Moses, A. J., The Practicing Scientist's Handbook, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1978;Google Scholar
Rosebury, F., Handbook of Electron Tube and Vacuum Techniques, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1965.Google Scholar
,Goodfellow Catalog, Berwyn, PA and, Goodfellow Cambridge Limited, Cambridge, web catalog http://www.goodfellow.com.
,The Brazing Book, Lucas-Milhaupt/Handy & Harman of Canada, Cudahy, WI and online at http://www.handyharmancanada.com

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