Can a Lightweight Hydraulic Car Jack Be a Viable School Project Idea?

AI Thread Summary
A lightweight hydraulic car jack is proposed as a viable school project idea, focusing on machining, welding, and assembly. The project aims to create a double piston hydraulic jack, but the challenge lies in sourcing the necessary components, as only single piston models are readily available. The project must be achievable within the semester timeframe and should avoid common themes like Stirling engines. Suggestions for alternative projects include creating a safe, a lock, or a bicycle from scratch. Overall, the hydraulic jack concept remains a central focus for the mechanical engineering project.
Ludapower
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I'm looking for some ideas for my mechanical engineering school project.
It can be anything but needs to have at least two of the following:
Machining
Welding
Automatisation
Assembly

Also it must be entirely realisable during the semester.

Really not looking at making stirling engines or any type of engine right now as everyone seems to be doing that.
 
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Ludapower said:
I'm looking for some ideas for my mechanical engineering school project.
It can be anything but needs to have at least two of the following:
Machining
Welding
Automatisation
Assembly

Also it must be entirely realisable during the semester.

Really not looking at making stirling engines or any type of engine right now as everyone seems to be doing that.

Welcome to the PF. There are some "Similar Threads" links at the bottom of the page that may help, and you could also do a search in this ME forum for threads with "project" in the title. That may bring up some ideas.

If not an engine, how about a safe? Or some other kind of lock? Or a bicycle from scratch? Make a "Jaws of Life", starting with a chainsaw engine as the power source. Or a 1/32 scale elevator...
 
Yeah I thought I was logged in earlier and was wondering why there was no search function. I just found a lot of stuff actually, thanks for the help.

I was actually thinking of making a lightweight hydraulic car jack. We (me and my partner) were hoping on making a double piston one but we've had no luck in actually finding a double piston hydraulic hand jack. All I've found are single piston ones.
 
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