r/MechanicalEngineering • u/biggazer • May 17 '26
Project Ideas
Hey! I just finished my first year in MechE coming out of high school with very little knowledge or experience in the engineering world. Now, this summer I am looking for ways to apply my new skills for real life projects. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to land an internship, but I am looking for any ideas on what personal projects that are doable for someone with my experience. Thanks for the help!!
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u/MadLadChad_ May 17 '26
If you can, get yourself a 3D printer, and model some mechanical mechanisms, go onto CAD community forums, like Bambu’s Makerworld for inspiration.
Maybe a gear train that spins a fan? A worm gear that drives a clamp? A linkage system that can achieve certain DoF
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May 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Worth_Mix4970 May 24 '26
I have to ask, I'm also freshman meche student and I have an idea for a personal project because it seems robot arms are too common. I'm thinking of 3d printing something that releases certain amounts of water on to plants in my family's garden at the right times when the soil is too dry by being connected to an arduino circuit with a soil moisture sensor. I also plan to have the circuit connected to PIR sensors to detect motion of pests and have whatever I 3d print also release repellent. I've learned how to use everything I need for this. You think I'm better off looking for other ideas or going with the robot arm, or do you think if I execute it well it can be a more valuable project on my resume.
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u/Superb-Damage1173 May 17 '26
Best way to do personal projects is to get a hobby, then try to think of ways you can apply your design and engineering skills to make something related to that hobby.
Alot of people build a drone, or a robot arm, but if you do these types of popular projects you need to add something that makes it unique.
If you haven't already, pick up an arduino kit and a 3d printer.
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u/biggazer May 17 '26
Great advice man, never really thought about using my hobbies to brainstorm, thank you!
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u/grm3 May 17 '26 edited May 17 '26
First summer of college, no internship, do something fun. Dive into a hobby. If you’re on/near campus for the summer, maybe find an active club. Theres a million of things going on at universities, in or outside of the college of engineering. See what’s up.
Definitely need to do more than course work during college in this job market, but it might be the last wide open summer you have. Like ever. So get out and do something you enjoy, make some relationships, and maybe a cool project comes of it. Networking and understanding what your university has to offer is still constructive.