ABSTRACT
In function generation, the mechanism dimensions required achieving or approximate prescribed link displacement angles are calculated. In four-bar function generation, the angular displacements of both the crank and follower links are typically specified where the angular displacement of the follower link is a function of the crank link angular displacement. The objective in function generation is to calculate the mechanism dimensions required to achieve or approximate prescribed link displacement angles. Equations for analytical function generation are derived for the planar four-bar mechanism by taking the vector-loop sum of the entire mechanism. The precision points in four-bar function generation are commonly crank and follower displacement angles where the follower angles are defined as a function of the crank angles. Differentiating, expanding, and separating the planar four-bar vector-loop equation produces velocity and acceleration equations.
