Function generation of a watt II type planar mechanism with prismatic output using decomposition and correction method

Abstract

The method of decomposition is a useful method for function generation with multi-loop mechanisms. Recently introduced correction methods applied together with the method of decomposition allows the designer to cancel out the errors in the first loop of a two-loop mechanism with the errors in the second loop. In this study, the decomposition and correction method is applied for a Watt II type planar six-link mechanism with prismatic output. Five design parameters are defined for each loop resulting in ten design parameters in total. The design parameters are determined analytically. The generation error is decreased by adjusting free parameters such as limits of some joint angles and parameters due to the decomposition of the function to be generated, while considering several constraints such as link lengths ratios and ranges of the joint variables. The success of the method is illustrated with a numerical example.