Is it Appropriate to Ask for Ideas on Mechanism Design?

[SteamBC]

Hello,

I'm an amateur inventor without a formal mechanical engineering education, and I've been looking for a place where I can pose a question asking for ideas on how to achieve a certain motion, or how to design any mechanism to achieve a given purpose.

I haven't had time to lurk here for any length of time, and I wanted to ask if asking such questions is appropriate here. I don't want to ruffle any feathers, annoy people with my lack of formal education, or disobey the rules, so I thought it would be a good idea to ask.

Thanks for any input!

 

[mgb_phys]

Assuming it's not about
a, if a plane can take off from a treadmill
b, if a boat can sail downwind faster than the wind
c, god/astrology/religion/pyramids/your own theory proving that the universe is the shape of a teapot

YES

 

[lisab]

Hello,

I'm an amateur inventor without a formal mechanical engineering education, and I've been looking for a place where I can pose a question asking for ideas on how to achieve a certain motion, or how to design any mechanism to achieve a given purpose.

I haven't had time to lurk here for any length of time, and I wanted to ask if asking such questions is appropriate here. I don't want to ruffle any feathers, annoy people with my lack of formal education, or disobey the rules, so I thought it would be a good idea to ask.

Thanks for any input!

Hi SteamBC, both you and your questions are absolutely welcome here! Review the rules if you like, the link is in the menu bar (they really aren't hard to follow). You'll find people here are very helpful, it doesn't matter if you are a newbie.

When you ask a question it often helps to state what your educational background is, so the people who answer can tailor their answers to your level. Welcome, I hope you like it here!

 

[SteamBC]

Ok, I guess I'm on safe ground then. Thanks.

 

[SteamBC]

@lisab,

Thanks for the warm welcome!

 

[Danger]

Welcome aboard, SteamBC. Expect your traditional fish-slap soon.
This is, after all, primarily an educational site.
I love seeing questions posed as to how something mechanical can be achieved. While I have no formal education, I've built a lot of stuff and enjoy trying to figure out how to do it. As Mgb mentioned, however, it has to be something that falls within the realm of physical possibility.

 

[mgb_phys]

To be honest amateur questions are a lot more welcome than some argument about the inner details of some mathematical theorem that none of us understands!

The only real rules are to post homework questions in the correct forum and present some attempt, we can't answer questions where we think you might hurt yourself or others - so no "how do I make a pipe bomb?" or "what thickness of steel beam do I need for a bridge in my country?"

 

[SteamBC]

Thanks, guys.

I just removed the pipe bomb from my checklist. ;)

 

[Danger]

Thanks, guys.

I just removed the pipe bomb from my checklist. ;)

I think that you're going to fit in just fine.

 

[SteamBC]

Awesome!

I'll work on the explosives secretly, just like you guys are doing.

I love the signature - "Full flaps!", LOL.

 

[TMFKAN64]

The questions that seem to cause people without formal education trouble here generally have the form "I don't have any formal education, but I know everything anyway and need to publish my new theory before anyone can steal it from me, how can I do this? Any why are the so-called 'scientists' so close-minded and unwilling to listen to me?"

"I don't have any formal education but could use some help" is always welcomed warmly.

 

[SteamBC]

You will find that I'm absolutely dripping with humility.

I'm very proud of that fact! ;)

Seriously, though, I'm here to learn and I'm glad I found this great forum.

Brian

 

[Danger]

The questions that seem to cause people without formal education trouble here generally have the form "I don't have any formal education, but I know everything anyway and need to publish my new theory before anyone can steal it from me, how can I do this? Any why are the so-called 'scientists' so close-minded and unwilling to listen to me?"

"I don't have any formal education but could use some help" is always welcomed warmly.

I hope that this wasn't a snipe aimed at my admission to not having an education. My point in mentioning it frequently is to ensure that nobody mistakes me for an expert in any subject. (With the exception of locks a decade or so back; I was a professional diploma-bearing locksmith for 17 years before I retired.) I do, however, have a "knack" for designing and building mechanical devices. My approach is unlikely to be the most efficient or practical method, but it will work. When you get your parts from recycling depots and whatever is lying around in the basement, "impractical" becomes "practical". It won't be pretty, but it will get the job done.