Way back in 1976, I’m not sure that Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers could have predicted the lyrics of their Top 40 song “Breakdown” would one day become my mantra against defeat during the latest round of component failures at our household. But the fact is that’s exactly what happened.
Recently we had a couple repairs that made me think about skill sets, tools and components, all the while “breakdown, go ahead and give it to me” was playing on repeat in my head. Within two days, my vehicle’s inside door handle failed, as did the motor on our pool pump.
For context, I drive a 13-year-old minivan, and the spring on the door handle had had enough. Also, we live in Florida and are lucky enough to have a small pool, but the pump system was original to the house, which was built in 1998, and its motor had also given up the ghost.
If you’ve read this column before, you can guess my next move was to turn to YouTube for guidance. Both fixes seemed manageable. The door handle was straightforward and able to be fixed within an hour or so once the $20 assembly came in. The motor was a bit more involved. We decided to replace the pump in addition to the burnt-out motor due to the unit’s age. The new unit would require some plumbing reconfiguration and the electric to be rewired, so I decided to leave those tasks to the professionals.
These experiences got me to reflecting on the importance of reliable components and effective design in machinery. Whether it’s a vehicle door handle or a pool pump motor, the components we choose play a big role in functionality, longevity and ease of repair. For you, the machine design engineer, it’s a reminder that every design choice can impact overall performance and serviceability.
Blame It on September: Components Takeover
During the week of Sept. 15-19, our takeover topic will examine various components integral to machine design. We’ll explore the latest innovations in drive technology and motion control; couplings, connectors, fasteners, joints, clutches and brakes; materials selection; bearings, O-rings and gaskets; and, finally, hardware such as springs, nuts, bolts, belts and pulleys.
Expect interviews with leading experts in machine components offering practical tips as well as the latest trends that can help with design projects. We’ll cover sustainability in components as today’s engineers especially have a responsibility to consider the environmental impact of their designs. We’ll talk with subject matter experts about sustainable materials and practices that can be implemented in machine design to contribute to greener solutions.
We’ll also investigate how modular systems can help simplify repairs and replacements. My decision to replace not just a failed spring but the whole handle assembly, and not just the motor but the whole pump system, highlights how holistic design thinking can lead to better outcomes in machine lifespan and performance.
And you won’t want to miss our Components Webinar on Sept. 16, where Machine Design Editor-in-Chief Rehana Begg and I will explore the high-precision components that sectors such as aerospace, medical devices and automotive count on with reliability and cost-efficiency top of mind to help you elevate your design projects.
Be on the lookout for us to unpack these themes in our upcoming coverage, always with the intention of providing you with the tools and knowledge necessary to give your audience your best design performance.
Until then, would you mind taking this brief survey so that we can better understand the hurdles you face and the resources that help you? Your feedback will not only enrich our discussions but help shape future coverage on this topic. Thank you for your continued readership and, as always, stay curious!
