no recommendation on books, but I would strongly recommend that you go out
and get yourself a combination lathe/mill, like this one:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combo-Lathe-Mill/G4015Z (example only,
currently I'm not very happy with Grizzly)

and immediately put a DRO on it  This is the one I got and I am pretty happ=
y
with it:

http://littlemachineshop.com/products/product_view.php?ProductID=3D2665

Of course get the biggest one you can afford/have space for.  I found once =
I
had one of these my mechanical capabilities increased 100-fold - I am able
to make parts and prototype ideas where before I could only do off-the-shel=
f
components.

then just use TAP for prototyping plastic (or get machinist's wax), get raw
materials from McMaster and your local aluminum distributor and you can do
damn near any small part.

DougM

On Wed, Aug 18, 2010 at 10:56 AM, Jesse Lackey <jsl-ml@celestialaudio.com>w=
rote:

> Hello all, after 8 years of EE-only I'm finally getting into motor
> control and 'mechatronics' in general, and I'm looking for a good book
> on the subject.
>
> I have reasonably good EE skills, but no direct experience with motor
> control circuity and algorithms, and zero metal fabrication knowledge or
> tools.  I'd like a book with an emphasis toward real world designs and
> problem-solving, vs. mathematics theory behind control loops, say.  I
> want to successfully build my DIY pick&place vs. write a thesis on
> boundary-condition stability of exotic control algorithms.
>
> Beginner level stuff for fabrication is probably a good idea, but for
> everything EE related it should be at least intermediate level.
> Something like "mechatronics for EEs" is the best angle.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I'm quite serious about the DIY pick&place, I've spent some solid $ on
> linear rails, servo motors, glass linear encoders, vision, etc. and plan
> a x/y/z (no rotate or vacuum yet) slap-together for initial testing
> within a month (time is very hard to come by), but it is a bit of an
> ebay hodge-podge R&D prototype, and having some solid pros/cons of the 5
> ways to do 50 different aspects of the design would be great to have in
> my head.
>
> Thanks all-
> J
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