Lab 4 - SolidWorks mini-challenge

SolidWorks Mini-Challenge

Assigned: Lab 4
Due: Lab 5

Task Description

Create a six-bar linkage assembly in SolidWorks and perform a motion analysis

The six bar mechanism is an approximation of a design from the text "Mechanisms in Modern Engineering Design, Vol 1" by I. I. Artbolevsky which was published by the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1947. The following image is from the text...

The mechanism that you are going to create in this challenge is only an approximation of this design because the ratio of the lego beam lengths do not match those stated in the design. You may want to repeat the design of the assembly using parts of your own design to see if this mechanism actually creates straight-line motion.

Step 1

Create a new SolidWorks assembly and create the six-bar linkage shown below using the Lego parts that are available here.

The parts required for the assemble are:

• beam_3
• beam_7
• beam_11
• beam_13
• beam_15

The assembly can be created using only two types of mates: concentric and coincident. 

Note that this assembly is configured such that the beams do not pass through each other when the mechanism is actuated. The parts can be thought of as being connected by "virtual pins" but the coincident and concentric mates are sufficient to define the geometry.

Step 2

Add a motor to the input link (beam_3) and use it to drive the mechanism. 

The following video shows how to add a motor to an assembly and perform a motion analysis. The second video shows the resulting motion for the 6-bar assembly.  

The third video below shows another linkage that is a bit more challenging... If you are able to complete the 6-bar linkage, go ahead and give this one a shot. This assembly uses the following parts:

• 1 - beam_15.SLDPRT
• 1 - gear_40.SLDPRT
• 1 - axle_12.SLDPRT
• 2 - crossblock_extender.SLDPRT