Units & sanity numbers
Build the habit of writing units, estimating scale and checking whether an answer makes physical sense.
5 min read
Read full lesson →From forces to functioning machines.
New to engineering and never worked in a shop? Start with the language, learn the hardware, then connect calculations to real machines.
This roadmap connects first principles with measurement, manufacturing and maintenance. Work toward intermediate understanding one topic at a time; practical competence also takes supervised experience.
Six full lessons are live: units, the design process, drawings, standards, engineering mechanics, and stress & strain. The 15 short introductions remain available below. Other full lessons are coming soon.
START HERE
Start with what the drawing means.
No workshop equipment is needed to browse this hub. Start with the live units, drawings and mechanics lessons. Measurement and safety-awareness lessons are coming soon.
- Get comfortable with units.
Identify the quantity and its units before using a formula.
Units & sanity numbers → - Learn to read the drawing.
Understand the part’s views and dimensions before imagining how to make it.
Reading engineering drawings → - Sketch the forces.
Choose a system boundary and identify what pushes, pulls or twists it.
Read the mechanics lesson → - Understand measurement and safety.
Learn what an instrument tells you and when a task needs trained supervision.
Measurement tools → Safety awareness →
Keep your place.
Use the checkboxes to mark introductory notes you have read. This records your reading, not a skill assessment, certification or completed practical training.
Progress stays in this browser. It does not sync across devices.
LEVEL 0 · 7 TOPICS
Foundations
Learn the language before choosing the hardware.
Work toward: Explain a drawing, keep units consistent and sketch where the forces act.
The design process
Move from a need to requirements, concepts, checks and a documented decision.
5 min read
Read full lesson →Reading engineering drawings
Read views, sections, dimensions and notes before interpreting the shape.
6 min read
Read full lesson →Standards: ASME, ISO, ASTM & CSA
Recognize these standards organizations and learn to identify the applicable document, edition and scope.
6 min read
Read full lesson →Engineering Mechanics
Draw the system boundary before writing an equilibrium equation.
6 min read
Read introduction
Start with a free-body diagram. Identify external forces and moments, then apply equilibrium: ΣF = 0 and ΣM = 0.
Stress & Strain
Connect external loading to internal stress and deformation.
5 min read
Read introduction
Stress describes internal force per area; strain describes relative deformation. In the linear elastic range, σ = Eε.
Fluid Mechanics
Follow mass and energy through a flowing system.
Quick note
Read introduction
Conservation of mass and energy connect flow, velocity, pressure and losses. Distinguish static pressure from total head.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
LEVEL 1 · 10 TOPICS
Shop-floor literacy
Recognize what you see. Understand what it does.
Work toward: Identify common components, read measurements and recognize when trained supervision is required.
Measurement tools
Understand instrument selection, resolution, repeatability and the difference between a reading and a trustworthy measurement.
Reading time: available when published
Fasteners
Connect bolt, nut, washer and thread choices to how a joint stays together.
Quick note
Read introduction
Preload clamps a joint. Joint stiffness, separation, slip and fatigue influence performance as much as bolt strength.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Real-world materials & heat treatment
Connect material condition and heat treatment to machinability, hardness, toughness and service behavior.
Reading time: available when published
Manufacturing processes
Recognize how machining, forming, casting, joining and finishing shape design decisions.
Reading time: available when published
Lubrication: Oils, Greases & Machinery Reliability
Learn how oil and grease protect machine components, how to read ISO VG and NLGI grades, choose compatible lubricants, recognize contamination and over-greasing, and understand relubrication and automatic lubrication systems.
18 min read
Read lesson: Lubrication: Oils, Greases & Machinery ReliabilityPower-transmission hardware
Meet couplings, keys, belts, chains, seals and springs; follow their roles in a machine.
Reading time: available when published
Safety awareness
Recognize hazardous energy, isolation boundaries, guarding and the limits of classroom learning.
Reading time: available when published
Bearings
Recognize bearing arrangements and connect operating conditions to selection.
Quick note
Read introduction
Select for load direction, speed, lubrication, fits and service conditions. Calculated fatigue life is only one part of selection.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Gears
Understand the relationship between tooth count, speed and torque.
Quick note
Read introduction
Tooth ratio sets speed and torque ratio. Tooth bending, contact stress, lubrication and alignment limit service life.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
GD&T Basics
Read datum references and geometric controls in the context of function.
Quick note
Read introduction
Datums establish a reference frame. Geometric controls describe allowable form, orientation and location variation.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
LEVEL 2 · 16 TOPICS
Intermediate design & field skills
Connect the calculation to the machine.
Work toward: Build a defensible calculation, compare it with an independent check and state its limits.
Beams & combined loading
Connect loading diagrams to bending, shear and combined stress.
Reading time: available when published
Buckling & pressure vessels
Distinguish instability from material failure and recognize the limits of simplified pressure-boundary models.
Reading time: available when published
Bolted-joint analysis
Relate preload, joint stiffness, separation and fatigue to the load path.
Reading time: available when published
Gearbox & motor sizing
Start with the driven load, speed, duty and losses before choosing equipment.
Reading time: available when published
Fits & Tolerances
Connect tolerance stack-ups and ISO fits to assembly, movement and interchangeability.
Quick note
Read introduction
Choose clearance, transition or interference fits according to function. Check worst-case tolerance stacks.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Alignment, vibration & balancing
Distinguish alignment errors, vibration observations and balance problems before drawing conclusions.
Reading time: available when published
Rigging & hoisting awareness
Understand load paths, equipment identification and why lifting plans require trained, authorized people.
Reading time: available when published
Hydraulics & Pneumatics
Read schematics and structure troubleshooting around pressure, flow, controls and stored energy.
Quick note
Read introduction
Pressure creates actuator force; flow controls speed. Fluid compressibility, leakage and losses affect response.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Maintenance engineering
Connect RCA, FMEA, condition monitoring and reliability to evidence-based maintenance decisions.
Reading time: available when published
Electrical basics for mechanical people
Understand the roles of motors, sensors and controls, and the boundary between recognition and authorized electrical work.
Reading time: available when published
Failure & Safety Factors
Match the failure mode to the appropriate check.
Quick note
Read introduction
Check yielding, fracture, buckling and fatigue separately. A safety factor compares a relevant resistance with the applied demand.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Material Selection
Choose material properties to suit the function and manufacturing route.
Quick note
Read introduction
Balance strength, stiffness, toughness, corrosion resistance, temperature, manufacturing method and cost.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Shaft Design
Trace the load path through shafts, shoulders and interfaces.
Quick note
Read introduction
Combine bending and torsion. Check shoulders and keyways, fatigue, deflection and bearing interfaces.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Fatigue
Think in load cycles, stress concentrations and crack initiation.
Quick note
Read introduction
Repeated loads can initiate cracks below yield strength. Mean stress, surface finish, notches and load history matter.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
Machine Design
Bring component checks together without losing sight of the complete system.
Quick note
Read introduction
Translate the duty into load cases, select a concept, size components, consider assembly and verify the complete system.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
FEA Fundamentals
Treat a simulation as a model that needs independent verification.
Quick note
Read introduction
Specify loads, constraints, contacts and material models. Check mesh convergence and compare with a hand calculation.
Full topic lesson: coming soon.
LEVEL 3 · 6 TOPICS
Career bridge
Make your reasoning clear enough for someone else to review.
Work toward: Turn your learning into a readable calculation package, a useful model and a clear technical conversation.
CAD fundamentals
Capture design intent through sketches, features, assemblies and drawings.
Reading time: available when published
Excel & Python for calculation checks
Use transparent inputs, units and test cases to check hand calculations.
Reading time: available when published
Writing a calculation package
Document the problem, inputs, sources, method, checks, limits and conclusion.
Reading time: available when published
Project management basics
Connect scope, responsibilities, risk, changes and handover to technical work.
Reading time: available when published
Ontario pathways
Compare EIT, P.Eng., Red Seal and OACETT pathways using current official requirements.
Reading time: available when published
First year & interview preparation
Practice asking useful questions, recording evidence and explaining what you know and what you need to check.
Reading time: available when published
What each full lesson will give you.
Every topic will connect a physical idea to a practical decision. The planned lesson structure is consistent, so you know where to find the explanation, example and checks.
- Plain-English introduction with one analogy
- Why it matters in real machines
- Core concept, formulas and a diagram description
- A worked example with numbers and units: SI first, imperial equivalents in brackets where useful
- Common mistakes
- In the field: a generic, non-confidential example
- Three quick-check questions with answers
- Free resources
- A low-cost, low-risk mini-project
- Next-topic links
Connect the learning.
Calculators →Check inputs, units and results alongside your own working.
Engineering projects →See how constraints, calculations and verification fit a case study.
Electrical & controls →Explore the electrical side of electromechanical systems.
Programming & data →Build computational skills to support repeatable engineering checks.