COMPUTER GRAPHIC ENHANCED KINEMATIC SYNTHESIS FOR FOUR BAR LINKAGES.

This paper describes the synthesis of four bar chains for three prescribed positions using mapping procedures to aid in the selection of potential design solutions. After synthesizing one portion of the linkage using ground pivot specification or moving pivot specification techniques, a mapping algorithm is used to create boundaries corresponding to mechanism types. This mapping algorithm employs complex number theory to describe the four bar and is combined with the Grashof criterion to determine boundaries of mechanism types. The boundaries displayed relate Grashof or non-Grashof mechanism types to their ground or moving pivot locations. Mechanisms can then be chosen knowing beforehand where areas of potential solutions exist. This work has been implemented on a Tektronix display using standard PLOT10 software and will be added to the LINCAGES Package.