The popular evil genius format provides hobbyists with a fun and inexpensive way to learn Mechatronics (the merger of electronics and mechanics) via 25 complete projects.

5 Responses to “Mechatronics for the Evil Genius: 25 Build-it-Yourself Projects”

1. Phillip A. Vautour says:

   June 16, 2009 at 12:00 am

   Not a bad piece. Goes into the why’s and wherefore’s of how things work before they crank it up a notch or two.

   Wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, but I managed to glean a few interesting tidbits from it regardless.

   It will come in hand this summer as I set up some mechatronic projects!

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2. LaMarr Jones says:

   October 25, 2007 at 12:00 am

   I was hoping that this book actually offered more explanation on the design and application of mechatronics. It is basically a book of science fair projects for 12-18 year olds. It offers very little (if any) actual instruction on the components or the reasons why they are used. You will need a pretty good understanding of electronics before you venture into this book. I am going to have to find a good, basic book on electronic components and design before I can venture into this entire series.

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3. Hilton Gray says:

   September 2, 2007 at 12:00 am

   This book is pitched at the Grade 10 to 12 student in a secondary school. Unfortunately,this is not clear from the title. The focus is on the electronics side. It does not go into robotics and what “mechanical” components shown are very basic.

   Having said the above the content IS very suitable for the secondary student without getting bogged in the maths of electronics.

   Reply
4. Midwest Book Review says:

   January 6, 2007 at 12:00 am

   If it’s electronics and mechanics which intrigue you, combined with a bit of robotics and do-it-yourself projects, MECHATRONICS FOR THE EVIL GENIUS: 25 BUILD-IT-YOURSELF PROJECTS is for you. Here are step-by-step instructions, schematics, materials and parts lists, and clear diagramed outlines of how to build, mechanical parts, testing, and exploring project potentials. From generators and cannons to coin tossers, mechanics will be delighted with the intriguing array of mechanical and electronic devices – and with clear explanations of the science behind them.

   Diane C. Donovan

   California Bookwatch

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5. calvinnme says:

   January 16, 2006 at 12:00 am

   This book provides great practice via projects for students/practitioners of mechatronics that are already pretty familiar with electronics and feel comfortable with constructing elementary mechanical devices. There is some theory provided for each project, and it would be enough for someone to construct each device but not necessarily understand the science behind each device if you do not have a sufficient background in mechatronics already. My personal favorite was the analog computer, primarily because in this day and age, I find many young engineers that don’t even know what an analog computer is! I especially recommend this book to teachers who want to motivate their students to study engineering by showing them what interesting devices can be built. I notice Amazon shows nothing about the table of contents, so I show that here:

   Section One: Preparing the Reader

   Section Two: The Technology Used in the Projects

   Section Three: The Projects

   Project 1 — Mechatronic Race Car

   Project 2 — RoboCom: A Combat Robot

   Project 3 — Using a PWM Motor Control

   Project 4 — Ionic Motor

   Project 5 — Experimental Galvanometer

   Project 6 — Experimenting with Electromagnets

   Project 7 — Electronic Potentiometer

   Project 8 — Experiments with Eolic Generators

   Project 9 — Electronic Cannon

   Project 10 — Experiments with Lissajous Figures Generated by a Laser

   Project 11 — Analog Computer

   Project 12 — Touch-Controlled Motor

   Project 13 — Mechatronic Elevator

   Project 14 — Stepper Motor Control

   Project 15 — Magic Motion Machine

   Project 16 — Test Your Nerves

   Project 17 — Robot with Sensors

   Project 18 — SMA Experimental Robotic Arm

   Project 19 — Position Sensor

   Project 20 — Light-Beam Remote Control

   Project 21 — Mechatronic Airboat

   Project 22 — Coin Tosser

   Project 23 — The Challenge of the Mechatronic Timer

   Project 24 — Experimental PLC

   Project 25 — The Mechatronic Talking Head

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