ABSTRACT
In kinematic synthesis, the objective is to calculate the mechanism dimensions required to achieve or approximate prescribed mechanism output parameters. In contrast to kinematic analysis—where mechanism dimensions are known and the resulting mechanism output parameters are calculated—in kinematic synthesis, mechanism output parameters are known and the corresponding mechanism dimensions are calculated. Kinematic synthesis includes three distinct subcategories: motion generation, path generation, and function generation. An overview of published research in kinematic synthesis will reveal a substantial assortment of qualitative and quantitative methods for motion, path, and function generation. In motion generation the mechanism dimensions required to achieve or approximate precision positions are calculated. Motion and path generation with prescribed timing prevents order defects because with this practice, each coupler position and its corresponding dyad displacement angles are prescribed. Simultaneous equation sets for planar four-bar motion generation are formulated using vector loop closure for the starting and displaced position of a mechanism dyad.
