Selective precision synthesis of planar mechanisms satisfying position and velocity constraints

Abstract For many path generating mechanisms used in today's machines, the tracer point velocity may be as critical as its generated position for adequate mechanism performance [1,2]. In this paper the recently developed Selective Precision Synthesis technique has been extended to include the synthesis of mechanisms whose tracer points satisfy velocity as well as position specifications. The mechanism designer now has the capability of determining the planar mechanisms whose tracer points generate the positions and velocities within specified limits of accuracy. The method is applicable to all planar mechanisms constructed from dyads—including 4-bar, slider-crank, multi-loop and multi-link mechanisms. The theory is programmed for digital computation and numerical examples are presented to illustrate the use of the method.