moving parts

There are some 'standard' parts, but you really need to draw your design and name and number the parts..
The names are best when they are desciptive. E.g connecting rod, chassis plate, drive cog, link arm, slider, bearing, support bracket etc.
Just call it by what it does, draw it, give it a unique number too.

Del

Sounds like it's time to start building your catalog library. I value my catalogs every bit as much as my engineering reference books. The online and electronic catalogs are nice, but there is no replacing browsing through a paper catalog for inspiration.

Specifically for the mechanical components you're interested in, Misumi has some very nice, free catalogs you can browse online or order up a set for your bookcase. Carr-Lane is a great source for tooling components. MSC Industrial Supply, McMaster-Carr, and Grainger are all also good starting points. Often, once you find specifically what you want, you can source directly from the manufacturer and save substantially on cost over the catalog distributors, but you can't beat them for one-stop design references. Most even have 2-D & 3-D CAD models to download.

EDIT: And like Del says, if you're having something custom built, just call it something generic (link, shaft, bracket, plate, hub, housing, adaptor) and give it a unique number. The number is what the machine shop will use to produce it - they really don't care what it's called.

Amen on your comment. Eight years ago, the factory I worked in went "paperless" and we were told to get rid of all our paper catalogues and use on-line. Foolishly, I tossed about 3/4 of mine since I no longer had the bookshelf space. Really STUPID! Most online catalogues are harder to use, slower, and don't have as much application information. McMaster-Carr is the exception in that I find either catalog equally good.

Agreed. I have been using the Internet and WWW since it's inception. I have yet to find any catalog or document on a screen that is as easy to access as a paper copy.

There in it self is a problem. Even in the same industries with in different locals the parts may be called a different name. Best to start your own library. Even the supply catalogs are put together by personnel that some time do not know the industry name for an item. The do the best they can with a description.

An awful good start is this book:

Pictorial Handbook of Technical Devices, Schwartz and Grafstein, Chemical Publishing Co.

You should be able to find a used copy for less than $25 USD on Amazon or ABE

www.engineersedge.com

I do not wish to appear rude, but if you are a 'designer" I take it that you would have a degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

If this is the case did you not in your course do basic Engineering Drawing and some advanced engineering drawing (CAD/CAM) particularly in Design Engineering.

Just curious.

Maybe he's like me. I've been a designer for years and still can't remember the names of things. The shops that know me don't snicker when I say I want "one of those thingamajigs that holds a pulley on a shaft". But, I have to use catalogs and the like to get the real names. Just remember: if the average IQ is 100, I've made it possible for one of you to have a 148 score, so be grateful.

Although I used to look at ship's drawings, and machinery spare parts manuals on a regular basis, I don't do it too often now, but I always had a copy of Australian Standards of technical drawing on my desk at work, if I got stuck and also had a copy of Machinery's Handbook. It doesn't pay to do things from memory.

I retired at the end of last December (67years old), but will be likely work about 5 months of the year + (part time), probably until they carry me out in a box.

Maybe I was a little harsh and I did teach Engineering Drawing, among other things for about 10 years, until I took up teaching Marine Engineering.

Yeah, I really do have an incredibly small memory - did all my life and it has been exacerbated by a bout of severe hypoxia. Back when the world was green and I had hair, the guys at school used to joke that my mind was like a great library - except that I could only check out one book at a time! If I were working on a mechanics problem, I literally couldn't remember the difference between aluminum and Bernoulli. So, I compensate with good desk references.

Look or search for "Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers and Inventors" and "Mechanical "Movements, Vol. I & II." All three show components integrated in to working machine parts.

Yeah. I forgot that one. I also use it. It's good.

hi guys thank you so much for your replies

designer is what i call 'what i do'

i do many things as a hands on visual artist

lately ive been asked to design a practical way of storing and using

cumbersome makeup trays that hold lipsticks,makeup pencils etc.

i see the trays attached to an articulating swing arm

unstacking from one on top of each other into being side by side

i tried drawing the movements

only to be stumped by the appearance of the moving part i wanted

i just found my post today and was happy and surprised to see so many responses

im looking forward to checking out the suggestions

(so to answer the curious one

i am an unschooled working artist who does a lot of things outside of the box

with an eye on esthetics and above all practicallity.

and i get paid for it)

thank you once again

i started looking at the replies

i feel like a kid in a candy shop

wow

where do i begin????

thanks to all