🛠️ 10 Best Mini Projects for Mechanical Engineering Students
- shiva ganesh
- Jul 8
- 5 min read
🔧 1. Automated 5 Degree of Freedom (DoF) Robotic Arm
Concept:
A programmable robotic arm capable of multi-axis movement, mimicking industrial automation systems.
Explanation:
This project explores robotic control, kinematics, and actuation using five motors to simulate freedom of movement.
Procedure:
Design robotic joints and links using CAD.
Select and mount 5 servo/DC motors.
Fabricate a base and end-effector (gripper).
Interface with Arduino and motor drivers.
Program arm to perform pick-and-place tasks.
Applications:
Automated assembly lines
Packaging industries
3D printing arms
Advantages:
Realistic simulation of industrial robotics
Good for learning control systems
Disadvantages:
Limited payload capacity
Requires precise calibration
Components & Functions:
DC/Servo Motors: Control joint movements
Microcontroller (Arduino): Program and control motor logic
Motor Drivers: Interface motors with controller
Gripper: Picks up and holds objects
Frames & Brackets: Structure and support
🥚 2. Automatic Egg Breaker & Yolk Separator
Concept:
A machine that automates egg breaking and separates shell, yolk, and white.
Explanation:
Uses sensors, vibration, suction, and pneumatic arms for accurate cracking and separation.
Procedure:
Install egg feeding tray and vibration motor.
Attach vacuum suction arm to hold eggs.
Use a pneumatic blade to crack the shell.
Transfer yolk and white through slotted conveyor.
Control using microcontroller and sensors.
Applications:
Food processing industries
Baking factories
Advantages:
High hygiene
Mass processing
Disadvantages:
Complex setup
Fragile operation
Components & Functions:
Pneumatic Cylinder: Drives cracking blade
Vacuum Pump: Suctions yolk or white
Proximity Sensors: Detect egg position
Slotted Conveyor: Separates yolk from white
Vibratory Tray: Aligns eggs for cracking
🍽️ 3. Voice-Activated Self-Folding Dining Table
Concept:
A foldable dining table that operates based on voice commands.
Explanation:
Voice commands trigger motors to fold/unfold the table using a geared linkage.
Procedure:
Design a folding mechanism with hinges.
Use Raspberry Pi or Arduino for voice processing.
Connect folding motors and linkages.
Install IR sensors for obstacle detection.
Write control code and test operation.
Applications:
Smart homes
Urban apartments with limited space
Advantages:
Modern, hands-free operation
Space-saving design
Disadvantages:
Dependent on voice recognition accuracy
Costlier than traditional tables
Components & Functions:
DC Motors: Control fold/unfold motion
Voice Recognition Module: Converts speech to command
IR Sensor: Detects obstacles
Motor Drivers & Hinges: Enable folding
Castor Wheels: Enable table mobility
🚲 4. Hubless Ebike with Suspension
Concept:
A futuristic e-bike with a hubless rear wheel powered by friction rollers and integrated suspension.
Explanation:
Dual motors rotate the wheel via friction contact without using traditional sprockets.
Procedure:
Design a hubless wheel using bearing rollers.
Mount dual friction-drive motors.
Add suspension and controller casing.
Wire throttle, lights, brakes.
Test torque, speed, and stability.
Applications:
Personal electric mobility
Urban e-vehicles
Advantages:
Chain-free drive
Smoother ride due to suspension
Disadvantages:
Efficiency loss via friction
Complex alignment
Components & Functions:
DC High Torque Motors: Drive wheel by friction
Shock Absorbers: Reduce impact
Battery Pack & Controller: Powers and regulates motor
LED Headlights: Visibility
Tyres, Brakes, Handle: Ride interface
☀️ 5. Solar Dryer with PCM Thermal Storage
Concept:
A solar-powered dryer that retains heat using Phase Change Material (PCM) to continue drying after sunlight fades.
Explanation:
PCM absorbs and stores thermal energy then releases it slowly to maintain drying temperature.
Concept:
Procedure:
Construct a drying chamber with a glass cover.
Fill aluminum tubes with PCM (e.g., paraffin).
Mount tubes near trays.
Add temp/humidity sensors.
Compare drying with and without PCM.
Applications:
Agricultural product drying
Herbal or spice dehydration
Advantages:
Extends drying time
Energy-efficient
Disadvantages:
Initial PCM cost
Requires thermal insulation
Components & Functions:
Aluminum Tubes & Cans: Hold PCM
PCM (Paraffin-Kerosene): Stores and releases heat
Drying Trays: Hold materials
Insulated Box & Glass Cover: Traps heat
Sensors: Monitor performance
❄️ 6. Vapour Compression System with Elliptical Coil
Concept:
Improves a refrigerator’s efficiency using an elliptical evaporator coil.
Explanation:
Elliptical coils increase surface contact, boosting heat transfer and system performance.
Procedure:
Design and fabricate elliptical coil.
Assemble with compressor, condenser, and valve.
Fill refrigerant and insulate system.
Measure the cooling effect and COP.
Applications:
Domestic and commercial refrigeration
HVAC systems
Advantages:
Improved COP
Compact design
Disadvantages:
Complex coil manufacturing
Slightly higher cost
Components & Functions:
Elliptical Coil: Enhanced heat exchange
Compressor: Circulates refrigerant
Expansion Valve: Controls flow
Condenser: Releases heat
Refrigerant (R134a): Cooling medium
⚙️ 7. Automotive Differential with High Reduction Ratio
Concept:
Designing a worm gear-based differential with a ratio greater than 6:1 for torque-heavy applications.
Explanation:
A higher gear ratio allows better torque transfer for heavy or electric vehicles.
Procedure:
Design gears and worm shaft in CAD.
Fabricate and machine gear components.
Assemble in a sealed housing.
Test torque output and direction.
Applications:
Off-road vehicles
Electric cars
Advantages:
High torque output
Smooth power distribution
Disadvantages:
Slower speed
High gear wear risk
Components & Functions:
Worm Shaft & Worm Wheel: Gear reduction
Bearings: Smooth motion
Housing: Protects internals
Lubricant: Reduces friction
Axle Shafts: Deliver power
🛏️ 8. Automatic Sliding Bed
Concept:
A motorized bed that slides or adjusts angle for space efficiency and user comfort.
Explanation:
Linear actuators and control circuits move the bed as per button or sensor input.
Procedure:
Design bed frame with sliding mechanism.
Mount linear actuators underneath.
Add IR sensors and buttons for control.
Program microcontroller logic.
Test movement and safety.
Applications:
Smart homes
Hospitals or assisted living
Advantages:
Increases comfort
Enables automation
Disadvantages:
Requires power supply
May need frequent maintenance
Components & Functions:
Linear Actuators: Provide motion
Microcontroller (Arduino): Controls movement
IR Sensors: Obstacle detection
Switches: Manual override
Limit Switches: Endstop detection
🧊 9. Thermoelectric Cooler Box (Peltier-Based)
Concept:
Portable cooler powered by a Peltier module, ideal for camping or transport.
Explanation:
Peltier modules absorb heat from one side and release it on the other when powered.
Procedure:
Design an insulated box with aluminum lining.
Mount Peltier module and heat sinks.
Add fans for cooling and dissipation.
Connect to a power source and test the temperature.
Applications:
Outdoor cooling
Vaccine/food transportation
Advantages:
Silent operation
Compact design
Disadvantages:
Limited cooling capacity
High power draw
Components & Functions:
Peltier Module: Creates cooling effect
Heatsink: Transfers heat
Fan: Airflow for heat exchange
Battery or Solar Panel: Powers the system
Thermometer: Monitors temperature
📦 10. Semi-Automatic Packing Machine
Concept:
A packaging system that automates product detection and bag sealing.
Explanation:
A conveyor carries items to a packing station with sensors and pneumatic arms for sealing.
Procedure:
Design and fabricate a conveyor system.
Mount sensors for product presence.
Add pneumatic sealer and ejection system.
Program logic for automated workflow.
Test speed and accuracy.
Applications:
Grain or food packaging
FMCG sector
Advantages:
Faster packing
Reduced labor
Disadvantages:
Requires compressed air
Moderate maintenance
Components & Functions:
Conveyor Motor: Moves products
IR/Proximity Sensors: Detect product
Pneumatic Cylinder: Drives sealing
PLC/Arduino: Controls logic
Sealing Arm: Heat-seals the package
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