Bringing Design to Life Through Machining

This project involved the physical fabrication and assembly of a small, single-cylinder air engine capable of running on compressed air. While CAD modeling and technical drawings guided the initial design, the core of the project took place in the lab with hands-on machining, measurement, and assembly.

I’ve built each component using a variety of tools and materials, machining plastic, aluminum, and steel parts with precision. The project has been an immersive introduction to real-world manufacturing, tolerances, and the skill required to move from a digital model to a working mechanical system.

This project has shown me the difference between designing a system and building one with my own hands. Every pass on the lathe or adjustment on the mill has taught me to respect the craft of engineering, where precision, patience, and problem-solving turn ideas into reality.