For making machines, you must understand the key concepts of some subjects.

Here’s the list of books, with authors and what you will learn from it.

1. Theory of Machines and Mechanisms by Uicker, Pennock & Shigley:

This book will help you understand how motion is transferred from
one machine element to another, how to balance the machine, force
analysis, handling vibrations, etc.
2. Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics and Dynamics by Beer &
Johnston: This book will help you in doing the necessary calculations
and math that will be required for book 1.
3. Mechanical Engineering Design by Shigley, Budynas & Nisbett: This
book will help you in understanding which machine elements to select
and of what size. For example, gears, axles, belts, chain drives, etc.
4. Fundamentals of Engineering Drawing with an introduction to
Interactive Computer Graphics for Design and Production by Luzzader,
Warren & Duff.
a. You are going to need a blueprint based on which you will assemble
your machine. To draw that blueprint you need to go through this book
to understand how exactly a technical drawing is made.
b. The supplier will provide you with a technical drawing for machine
elements, and you need to be able to read that drawing to select the
parameters of your machine element, for e.g. the pitch of your screw
thread.
c. You will need to send a drawing of your machine’s body to the
fabricator - that’s the only language he will accept to manufacture as
per your requirement.
5. Materials Science & Engineering: an Introduction by Callister. You
need this book to understand what material to select for a part of your
machine. For example, an element needs to withstand more stress?
Then you would want it to undergo some heat treatment. Or you would
want it alloyed with a particular combination of metals for the right
property to be enhanced.
6. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology by Kalpakjian. You need
to design your machine in such a way that it is manufacturable. For
that, it is paramount that you know what are the possible processes by
which anything is manufactured and what are its limitations. This will
also help you decide which shop (turning, milling, drilling, etc) to
approach and see if he has the capability to machine as per your
drawing.
Optional books:

1. Mechatronics by Bolton: This book provides you with with the

capability to develop an interface between your machines and its user
with the help of PLCs and electronics components.
2. Electronic Principles by Malvino: You will need to know basic
electronic components which may be required in your machine such as
Op amps, Transistors, diodes, etc.
3. Electrical Circuits Theory and Technogy by John Bird. Will your
machine be powered? Then you need to know how you are going to
wire it.
4. Metrology for Engineers by Shotbolt. You need to physically measure
everything you purchase and you need to know what instrument to use
for the measurement and how to measure with it.

AUTOMATED SYSTEMS

1. Basic Electronics
2. Basic Electrical
3. Basic Mechatronics
4. Digital Logic Design
5. Micro Controller Programming
6. Communication & networking
7. Instrumentation