Finding the Missing Links

This article explains how modern CAD systems can be used to design mechanical linkages quickly and easily. As one can imagine, this is very good news to anyone involved in machine design. The program can handle all the calculations which will free the user to focus on other things while at the same time reducing the possibility of random calculation errors. The article goes through an example of a tube-handling mechanism. The mechanism needs to move from the waiting position to a loaded position. The solution to this example is explained in four detailed steps. First, a diagram is sketched that defines the mechanism in the loaded and unloaded positions and line are used to connect the two positions to trace the path they follow when in motion. Next, the constraints are added to define the geometry of the mechanisms in motion. After that, the linkage components are unconstrained so that they are free to float. Finally, the remaining mechanism linkages connecting to the surrounding frame are unconstrained and the design is complete. While this is a fairly simple example, these principles can be applied to more complex machine design.  Read the full article at Machine Design.

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