1. 1 Preliminary Concepts A cam mechanism is a mechanical system consisting of three basic components: a driving element, called the cam; a driven element, termed the follower; and a fixed frame. Sometimes, an intermediate element is introduced between the cam and the follower with the purpose of improving the mechanism performance. This element is called the roller because function is to produce a pure-rolling relative motion be- tween the cam and the follower. The purpose ofa cam mechanism is the transmission of power or information. In applications concerning power transmission, the main...

The aim of this book is to provide an account of the state of the art in Com- putational Kinematics. We understand here under this term, that branch of kinematics research involving intensive computations not only of the numer- ical type, but also of a symbolic nature. Research in kinematics over the last decade has been remarkably ori- ented towards the computational aspects of kinematics problems. In fact, this work has been prompted by the need to answer fundamental question- s such as the number of solutions, whether real or complex, that a given problem can admit. Problems of this kind...

The quest for more reliable, more environment-friendly, more fuel-efficient, and more affordable products in an extremely competitive market appear as the driving forces behind the need for an integrated approach to mechanical design, analysis, and control. In this context, aircraft is being designed currently with novel electromechanical systems for the steering of its control surfaces - ailerons, rudders, and the like - while terrestrial vehicles are nowadays designed with active suspensions, to name but a few of the plethora of mechanical systems whereby an integration of disciplines is...

The aim of this book is to provide an account of the state of the art in Com- putational Kinematics. We understand here under this term, that branch of kinematics research involving intensive computations not only of the numer- ical type, but also of a symbolic nature. Research in kinematics over the last decade has been remarkably ori- ented towards the computational aspects of kinematics problems. In fact, this work has been prompted by the need to answer fundamental question- s such as the number of solutions, whether real or complex, that a given problem can admit. Problems of this kind...

1. 1 Preliminary Concepts A cam mechanism is a mechanical system consisting of three basic components: a driving element, called the cam; a driven element, termed the follower; and a fixed frame. Sometimes, an intermediate element is introduced between the cam and the follower with the purpose of improving the mechanism performance. This element is called the roller because function is to produce a pure-rolling relative motion be- tween the cam and the follower. The purpose ofa cam mechanism is the transmission of power or information. In applications concerning power transmission, the main...