https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog Short write-ups on mechanical design, simulation, and things I've learned building real parts. en https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/finite-element-analysis-when-to-trust-your-mesh https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/finite-element-analysis-when-to-trust-your-mesh Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical look at mesh convergence, common FEA pitfalls, and how to know when your simulation results are actually reliable. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/topology-optimization-cutting-weight-without-cutting-corners https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/topology-optimization-cutting-weight-without-cutting-corners Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT How structural optimization actually works in practice, what it gets wrong if you trust it blindly, and a real weight-reduction result from a robot arm bracket. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/pid-tuning-for-mobile-robots-a-field-guide https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/pid-tuning-for-mobile-robots-a-field-guide Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical, non-academic approach to tuning velocity and position control loops on small mobile robots, with a real overshoot-to-settled comparison. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/design-for-manufacturing-lessons-from-the-shop-floor https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/design-for-manufacturing-lessons-from-the-shop-floor Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT Three recurring mistakes I've seen (and made) when a CAD model looks perfect on screen but turns into a headache on the machine. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/vibration-analysis-101-reading-a-frequency-spectrum https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/vibration-analysis-101-reading-a-frequency-spectrum Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical introduction to interpreting an FFT spectrum from an accelerometer, and how a bearing fault actually shows up in the data. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/3d-printing-vs-cnc-machining-choosing-the-right-process https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/3d-printing-vs-cnc-machining-choosing-the-right-process Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT The decision isn't about which process is better — it's about matching quantity, material requirements, and what you're actually validating. https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/battery-sizing-for-small-mobile-robots https://houssemsaadaoui.com/blog/battery-sizing-for-small-mobile-robots Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT A practical way to size a battery pack for a mobile robot or drone from a duty cycle, without over- or under-building the pack.