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#250 Basic Elements of Automation Clever Mechanisms: Introduction

Category : Hints on designing
August19, 2016

The basic element of clever mechanism are comprised of structures that transforms drive energy into motion control and equipped with two functions: motion transmission and power transmission. One automation mechanism can be utilized for both processing and control just by selecting the appropriate strength and material.

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Motion types constituting the Basic element of clever mechanical fixture include the followings:

1. Mechanism converting rotary motion into oscillation motion
2. Mechanism converting rotary motion into linear motion
3. Mechanism converting linear motion into rotary motion
4. Intermittent rotation and reciprocating motion mechanism
5. Speed-changing, speed reduction, and quick return mechanism
6. Direction-changing mechanism
7. Boost mechanism
8. Linear and parallel motion mechanism
9. Three-dimensional motion mechanism (using a cam mechanism)
10. Power transmission mechanism

First, we will look at a mechanism converting rotary motion into linear motion. Most of the mechanisms converting rotary motion into linear motion can also be used as a mechanism for converting linear motion into rotary motion by reversing the mechanisms. Since human motion is more compatible with the rotary motion task than the linear motion task, conversion from rotary into linear motion seems to be more common for simple fixtures.

(1) Mechanism converting rotary motion into linear motion

(1) Reciprocating linear motion by spiral groove (See [Fig.1])

By cutting a continuous spiral groove on the cam surface and placing an elliptical shape slider that slides along the spiral groove, the elliptical shape slider performs reciprocal linear motion according to the rotation of the cylindrical cam.

[Fig.1] Reciprocal linear motion conversion mechanism by spiral groove

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