Mechanical Engineering: Practical Mechanics for Inventors is based on the book Practical Mechanics for Inventors by Pedro Portugal and is designed to bridge the gap between mechanical engineering fundamentals and practical machine design.
You will learn how to think about forces, load paths, stiffness, friction, wear, and failure, then apply that understanding to the selection and integration of common mechanical components.
Throughout the course, we examine the components and systems that make machines work, including fasteners and joints, bearings, springs, shafts, couplings, belts, chains, gears, linear motion systems, motors, stepper motors, servo systems, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, and smart-material actuators.
Rather than treating components as isolated parts, the course focuses on how they behave as part of a complete mechanical system. You will explore the trade-offs between strength, stiffness, speed, torque, efficiency, precision, reliability, manufacturability, and cost so you can make better engineering decisions in real-world applications.
This course is ideal for engineering students, aspiring mechanical engineers, makers, inventors, and anyone interested in practical mechanical design and machine building. Beginners are welcome; basic algebra and familiarity with forces and motion are helpful, but no advanced engineering experience is required.
By the end of the course, you will have a practical framework for understanding, selecting, and integrating mechanical components into real machines.
Based on the book Practical Mechanics for Inventors (2026).
