3.1 Observing Mechanisms
Introduction
A mechanism is a device that transmits movements so that the output movement is different than the input movement. It can be used to change the direction, speed, force, or type of movement. The output of a robot or any machine is motion and force in some form.
When you are riding a multi-speed bicycle up a steep hill, what do you do? Most likely you shift gears in order to get more power with the same amount of effort. This need to change speed and torque is a problem common to machine tools, robots, automobiles, and airplanes. In this activity we will study several techniques developed over the centuries to accomplish this task.
A mechanism is a device that transmits movements so that the output movement is different than the input movement. It can be used to change the direction, speed, force, or type of movement. The output of a robot or any machine is motion and force in some form.
When you are riding a multi-speed bicycle up a steep hill, what do you do? Most likely you shift gears in order to get more power with the same amount of effort. This need to change speed and torque is a problem common to machine tools, robots, automobiles, and airplanes. In this activity we will study several techniques developed over the centuries to accomplish this task.