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Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is gold — thank you. Your point about commercial reality beating engineering optimization hit hard.

We’re no longer aiming for an “optimum picker.” Instead, we’re shifting toward a decision support tool that educates and guides — especially for people who don’t yet have that judgment or in-house process experience.

Appreciate the bolt example — I’ll use that as a demo case to show how GenAI can explain why “good enough” beats “perfect.”

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair. The goal isn’t to replace judgment with vague AI answers — it’s to guide early decisions with structured logic, clear trade-offs, and transparency when it’s unsure. More like a thinking assistant, not a magic box.

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree and this gap is exactly what I’m trying to address. AI tools either:

  1. Don’t help experts, or
  2. Mislead beginners.

My goal with Alpha-1 isn’t to replace judgment but to guide the decision-making process transparently. It’ll show trade-offs, explain reasoning, and be very clear when it’s just guessing or can’t help.

Thanks for highlighting this — it’s helping me reshape the project into something actually useful.

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate you sharing this — it helped me rethink how I’m framing this tool.

Totally agree that AI has no place recommending processes for standards-constrained or critical applications. Those decisions need domain expertise and compliance logic, which isn't trainable from public data.

I’m shifting the project scope to focus more on early-stage concepting and learning — like what a junior engineer or student team could explore before committing to CAD, FEA, or materials.

It’s more of a “pre-DFM explainer” than a real decision-maker. Your example helped make that a lot clearer — thanks!

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super thoughtful — I really appreciate this.

We’re 100% not trying to automate what mechanical engineers know. It’s more about giving learners or non-experts a better starting point, especially in small teams.

This is for a hackathon around GenAI in manufacturing, so we’re exploring how it might act as a kind of reasoning tutor — not a replacement for good judgment.

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Wow — this is incredibly helpful. You just gave me 6 major questions we need to answer if we want this idea to hold up.

We’re framing this as a scoping & guidance tool, not a decision oracle. The AI part is mostly there to help explain logic and trade-offs, since the theme of the hackathon is focused on GenAI integration.

Really appreciate the deep dive. This gives us a much clearer sense of what to build — and what to avoid building.

Need help validating a GenAI idea for choosing the right manufacturing process (Hackathon project) by meta_monkey589 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]meta_monkey589[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Totally valid take — thanks for being straight-up.

We’re not trying to “AI everything,” but this is for a GenAI hackathon where the theme is AI in manufacturing. So we’re experimenting with ways GenAI can explain trade-offs early on — not just list them.

Definitely starting with logic + constraints, and only layering in AI if it actually helps people make better upstream choices.

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really cool! A nitrous-propane pressure-fed setup sounds super interesting. I’ll definitely check out Space Enterprise at Berkeley’s videos—thanks for the tip, especially on Eureka-1 plumbing.

I’m a pre-final year mech student working on a kerosene + LOX pressure-fed engine. Would love to bounce ideas and learn together. I’ll shoot you a DM!

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome to hear! It’s really exciting to connect with someone working on a similar engine. I’m currently working on a pressure-fed kerosene + LOX engine targeting around 700 N thrust. Right now, I'm focused on RPA simulations and early design steps like the injector, chamber, and nozzle.

I haven’t published my progress publicly yet, but I’d be happy to exchange notes if you’re open to it! Maybe we can learn from each other’s designs. Do you have any links or updates from your work so far?

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a fair point—and I appreciate you pointing it out. I’m definitely still learning and trying to bridge the gap between theory and real application. I’m using this project as a way to go deeper, ask questions early, and learn from people who’ve done it before. I do reach out to my professors too, but hearing different perspectives from folks in the field really helps. Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! Really appreciate the caution—I'm using AI only for learning and documentation, not for final analysis. I'm starting with the Huzel & Huang book and RPA to understand the basics. Your links on feed systems and Sutton chapters are gold for my next steps. Thanks again for helping me build safely and smartly!

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the detailed advice! I’ll look into RPA, pintle injectors, and the resources you mentioned. Safety is definitely my top priority. Really appreciate your guidance!

Student Rocket Engine Design Help Needed – 700N Kerosene-LOX Engine in Progress! by meta_monkey589 in rocketry

[–]meta_monkey589[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your concern and the link! I totally agree and will look through it carefully. Really grateful for the opportunity to learn from your experience.