Wednesday, February 12, 2014

4 bar linkages

I'm working on an exhibit that demonstrates Watt's straight line generator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watt's_linkage) & other cool things you can do with 4 bar linkages. ...I'm having a bit of trouble with this one. I think I need to explore the interaction more, because drawing a straight line in a really complicated way isn't that appealing (to me at least)... People have done things like it:http://web.mat.bham.ac.uk/C.J.Sangwin/howroundcom/straightline/exact.html. I'm super fascinated by mechanical linkages, especially the variety of things you can do with just 4 bars connected with joints (e.g.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chebyshev_linkage). I'm still brainstorming ways to bring out the magic though... Any suggestions or thoughts?
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 12, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    This isn't a linkage but Cardan Gears (http://www.mekanizmalar.com/cardan_gear.html) also generate straight lines. Another common example of a 4 bar is in elliptical trainers.

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  2. Sebastian ExploratoriumFebruary 12, 2014 at 7:14 PM

    Here are some ideas, maybe there is a seed for something interesting in there.
    I wonder if you could use the straight-line mechanism not for drawing but to make an object move in a straight line. If visitors don't expect that the object will move in a straight line, you could create a moment of surprise like in this exhibit: http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/hyperbolic-slot/,
    or you could invite people to make their own linkage and guide them towards making a straight-line mechanism. Discovering the linkage instead of just using it could be satisfying.
    The automata we looked at during our workshop often use motion to create a whimsical effect. That seems a possibility with the 'happy face/sad face' drawing that you mentioned before.
    Also, sometimes scaling up an effect draws more attention to it. Dan's example of calling out the math that's part of an elliptical trainer is a good one, and full-body interaction can be an interesting aspect, too. Could you make something that draws a straight line from someone's foot to their head? Or something that needs two people or both arms to be moved?

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