Course detail

Machine Design - Machine Elements (strojLAB)

FSI-5KL Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester

A key course in mechanical engineering focused on the design and assessment of fundamental machine elements and joints with respect to function, strength, and service life. Students learn methodologies for the structural and strength design of shafts, bearings, joints, and springs, utilising standards and engineering practice guidelines. The course systematically integrates knowledge from mechanics, strength of materials, and materials engineering into a coherent methodology for designing machine assemblies at the bachelor’s level. Compared to the course 5KS Machine Design – Machine Elements, the course 5KL Machine Design – Machine Elements (strojLAB) differs in the character of its tutorials. The tutorials are conducted in the strojLAB environment and focus on solving practical problems on real machine assemblies using test fixtures. Students combine calculations, experiments, and basic manufacturing/technological operations, thereby systematically linking theory with practical application.

Supervisor

prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Machine and Industrial Design

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Prerequisites

Before enrolling, the student must:
• have passed the course Strength of Materials I (4PP, 4PP-A),
• understand the basics of mechanics and strength of materials (equilibrium of systems, internal forces in beams, stress, strain, fundamental stress states, basics of material fatigue),
• know basic engineering materials and their mechanical properties,
• be able to produce and read technical drawings according to ČSN/ISO,
• handle common engineering calculations (units, conversions, reading tables, diagrams, and standards).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course is completed by an examination following successful completion of coursework.

The coursework (credit) confirms that the student participated actively during tutorials and was able to solve assigned tasks correctly and independently. A minimum of 50 points out of 100 must be earned through two in-semester tests. Points earned during the semester are not carried into the exam.

The examination verifies comprehensive understanding of the subject and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge independently and creatively. The exam consists of a written and an optional oral part.
– The written exam (90 minutes, on-site) is mandatory for all students and evaluated with 0–100 points; at least 50 points are required to pass.
– The oral exam is optional and available only to students scoring 80–89 points who wish to improve their grade from B to A.
– Students who achieve 90–100 points on the written exam automatically receive grade A without an oral exam.

Final evaluation follows the ECTS grading scale according to the BUT Study and Examination Rules.

Lecture attendance: optional.
Tutorial attendance: mandatory and checked by the instructor. A maximum of two unexcused absences is allowed; methods of compensating further missed classes, especially in case of long-term absence, are determined by the course guarantor.

Language of instruction

Czech

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with the fundamentals of strength and design analysis of machine elements required for independent design and assessment of basic machine assemblies. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between loading, material, geometry, and reliability, on failure prevention, and on the application of standards and engineering calculation procedures.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
• explain mechanisms and causes of failure of basic machine elements under static and fatigue loading, including the influence of material, surface condition, friction, and lubrication,
• design and verify basic machine elements – joints, mechanical springs, bearings and seals,
• select an appropriate type of element, material, and mounting method with respect to function, service life, safety, manufacturability, and maintenance,
• integrate designed elements into simple mechanical assemblies and verify their performance through calculation.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-KSI-P: Mechanical Engineering Design, Bachelor's
branch ---: no specialisation, 6 credits, compulsory

Programme B-ZSI-P: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
branch STI: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, 6 credits, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Syllabus


  1. Introduction to machine design. Limit states, design factor, safety factor.

  2. Static failure. Fatigue failure under variable loading.

  3. Shafts and axles. Shaft–hub joints.

  4. Machine element surfaces. Contact mechanics. Friction, lubrication, wear.

  5. Rolling bearings. Relationship between load, life and reliability. Combined and variable loading.

  6. Modified life equation. Tapered roller bearings. Bearing lubrication and bearing arrangement design.

  7. Classification of joints. Power screws. Fasteners.

  8. Preloaded bolted joints. Riveted joints.

  9. Welded, brazed and adhesive joints.

  10. Helical compression, tension and torsion springs. Disc and leaf springs.

  11. Hydrodynamic lubrication theory. Hydrodynamic journal bearings.

  12. Journal bearings with pressure-fed lubrication. Boundary-lubricated journal bearings.

  13. Recap and exam preparation.

Computer-assisted exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  1. Positioning table with four screw jacks – system-level analysis.

  2. Positioning table – kinematic and static analysis of the assembly.

  3. Worm shaft of the jack – strength and deformation analysis.

  4. Worm shaft – fatigue loading and service life.

  5. Worm shaft – shaft–hub connection and bearing arrangement. Credit test.

  6. Worm shaft – rolling bearings in a real mounting configuration.

  7. Spindle of the screw jack – power screw.

  8. Preloaded bolted joints.

  9. Bolted and welded joints.

  10. Helical springs – spring manufacturing in strojLAB.

  11. Helical springs – spring testing in strojLAB. Credit test.

  12. Journal bearings – hydrodynamic lubrication.

  13. Journal bearings – boundary lubrication.