COURSE OBJECTIVES

Mechanism design course would help students in achieving the following objectives: To help in understanding different types of mechanisms and underlying concepts of kinematics. To build mathematical models of mechanisms and develop position, velocity and acceleration relations. To understand the dynamic characteristics of planar mechanisms.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

CLO-1: Apply the kinematic fundamentals for the graphical synthesis of linkages. (C3)
CLO-2: Analyze the position, velocity and acceleration of different mechanisms using graphical and analytical techniques. (C4)
CLO-3: Design and analyze mechanisms using linkages, cam-follower systems, gear trains and relate their analytical and graphical solutions.  (C6)

COURSE CONTENTS

  1. General Principles and background – Two Lectures
  • Kinematics and Kinetics.
  • Mechanisms and machines.
  • Mechanism Design Process.

2. Kinematics – Six Lectures

  • Degrees of Freedom
  • Links, Joints and kinematic chains
  • Planar vs. spatial mechanisms
  • Four-bar linkage.
  • Grashof’s condition.
  • Practical considerations.

3. Graphical Linkage Synthesis – Six Lectures

  • Path and motion generation.
  • Coupler curves and cognates.
  • Straight line mechanisms
  • Dwell mechanisms

4. Position Analysis – Four Lectures

  • Coordinate transformation and complex motion
  • Graphical methods
  • Analytical methods

5. Velocity Analysis – Four Lectures

  • Graphical methods using instant centers
  • Analytical methods

6. Acceleration Analysis – Four Lectures

  • Acceleration analysis examples
  • Practical aspects

7. CAM-Follower – Four Lectures

  • Types of CAMS and follower motion
  • CAM functional considerations
  • CAM design and manufacturing considerations

8. Gear Trains – Two Lectures

  • Fundamentals of gearing
  • Simple and compound gear trains
  • Transmissions and Differentials