Synthesis Of Planar Mechanisms Using A Constraint Based Design Tool

This paper discusses the use of a constraint-based design tool to design planar mechanisms. The technique has been developed for the synthesis of four-bar mechanisms and other more complex mechanisms based on the graphical approach. The constraint network provided by the 3D CAD software is used to impose relations between different members in a mechanism. In addition, the dimension animation is used to animate the skeleton form of a mechanism to study the motion. The technique developed in this study, which was proven effective in a senior-level class, will enable a designer to tackle the synthesis of planar mechanisms more quickly and accurately.