Watch our video!
One of the most common and useful mechanisms in machine dynamics is the “slider-crank.” It has three elements: the “slider”, the “crank”, and the “connecting rod.” The slider is in “pure translation”, moving back and forth in a straight path. The crank is in “pure rotation”, moving in perfect circular motion. Then, as the name implies, the connecting rod moves in 2D plane motion.
What is so useful about this mechanism is that the slider (typically called the piston) can be the “driver” of the crank like in a combustion engine. Or the crank can be the driver of the slider like in a refrigeration pump. And determining the motion of the connecting rod is complicated, however this presentation minimizes the complexity of this classic mechanism.
As you might deduce, this is one of my favorite mechanisms. I hope it might come to be one of yours.
-Tom
Mechanical PE Exam Prep That Works
Pay Up Front and Save $100!
Test Drive Your Course for Only $50!
Pay-As-You-Go and Start for Only $50!
Don’t miss out on the latest posts (and more)! Follow DTC on:
