Theory precedes practice, and mastering the theory is the top priority. This requires us to carefully study the Mechanical Design Handbook, thoroughly understanding various mechanical structures and mechanical principles, especially the taboos that must be avoided. We must seriously learn from existing mechanical designs, respect the achievements of our predecessors, and not easily alter any structures or materials. The field of mechanical design has developed over hundreds of years, and any innovative idea you might think of has likely been tried countless times by others. Therefore, we should trust that the designs of our predecessors have stood the test of time. Modern education often encourages innovation, but in the realm of mature mechanical equipment, the space for improvement is actually quite limited. Take cars as an example: since their inception, the basic structure and performance have not undergone fundamental changes. Most so-called improvements are made in materials, such as using aluminum instead of cast iron to manufacture engines.
In the mechanical industry, passion is the key to success. Unfortunately, many people today work merely to make a living. They not only dislike their jobs but subconsciously feel a sense of aversion towards them. As a result, very few people can truly excel in their work. When entering an industry, the amount of knowledge one needs to grasp is actually not that much. For specialized machinery, carefully examining the drawings, understanding the principles and operation, and breaking it down into details such as transmission, feeding, execution, and electrical control for study, can typically be mastered within a month. The problem now is that many college students do not learn practical knowledge during their time at university; instead, they study theories that are detached from or even in opposition to real-world work, making it difficult for them to perform well in actual jobs.