Day 27 – Kinematic Models Digital Library

December 8, 2009 by admin

Sometimes there is nothing more exciting than looking at different ways making mechanical movement. Look no further than this wonderful website, http://kmoddl.library.cornell.edu/collection-toc.php
The Kinematic Models for Design Digital Library, (KMODDL is a collection of mechanical models and related resources for teaching the principles of kinematics–the geometry of pure motion. The core of KMODDL is the Reuleaux Collection of Mechanisms and Machines, an important collection of 19th-century machine elements held by Cornell’s Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

There are plenty of examples to look at and many Simple Machines and Drives, like the Slotted Bell Crank Drive

‘Circular motion of pin in disk, which works inside of the straight, slotted yoke, produces an irregular, vertical motion of rod. Downward motion of rod is slow but has a quick return’.

The ‘Worm and Gear’ mechanism

The worm or continuous screw on the horizontal shaft is the driver. This combination reduces the speed of the driven member and also multiplies its power. The power increases proportionally as the speed decreases. The speed ratio of shafts depends upon the relation of number of threads on the worm (single or multiple) to the number of teeth in the worm wheel or gear. This type of speed reducer is used between shafts at right angles to each other.

We think the mechanism of Paul Spooner’s How to Live No 17: Spaghetti is particularly beautiful. We have a collector’s item from 1999 available for sale:

How to Live No 17: Spaghetti – £3250 (excl. VAT)