Straight line mechanism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In the late seventeenth century, before the development of the milling machine, it was extremely difficult to machine straight, flat surfaces. For this reason, good prismatic pairs without backlash were not easy to make. During that era, much thought was given to the problem of attaining a straight-line motion as a part of the coupler curve of a linkage having only revolute connection. Probably the best-known result of this search is the straight line mechanism development by Watt for guiding the piston of early steam engines. Although it does not generate an exact straight line, a good approximation is achieved over a considerable distance of travel.
[edit] See also
- Four bar linkage
- Chebyshev linkage
- Hoekens linkage
- Sarrus linkage
- Peaucellier-Lipkin linkage
- Watt's linkage
[edit] Source
- Theory of Machines and Mechanisms, Joseph Edward Shigley
[edit] External links
- Cornell university - Straight-line mechanism models
- Cornell university - "How to Draw a Straight Line" by A.B. Kempe
- Cornell university - "How to Draw a Straight Line" - tutorial by Daina Taimina
- Simulations using the Molecular Workbench software

