We have a trial version of our Mechanism Generator 2.0 software available. MechGen 2 reads five task positions of a moving part in SolidWorks and generates a set of linkages that approximate the positions within specified tolerances. An animation previewer shows how each linkage moves. Select one and MechGen 2 generates the solid model of the linkage.

This video demonstrates the operation of MechGen 2:

This is the result of excellent work by Alex Arredondo and Kaustubh Sonawale.

This site has photographs of a large number of devices used to teach physics. It is fascinating.
Select the link: http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/index.html

Stock Drive Products Logo

Stock Drive Products has an array of downloadable catalogs with technical information for a range of mechanical components.  See the link: Stock Drive Products Catalogs

If you are interested in the Mechanism Generator SolidWorks add-in, then please contact Alex Arredondo. You can contact Prof. McCarthy for Mathematica design routines.

Mechanism Generator is a SolidWorks add-in that assists in generating solid models of four-bar and six-bar linkages. It designed to be used in coordination with our Mathematica design software, which is freely available.

Ilian Bonev maintains bibliography and patent databases on parallel mechanisms and much more at ParallelMIC. Access it at the link http://www.parallemic.org/

Parallel Mechanisms information center

The MatWeb site provides detailed information about materials such as the tensile strength of various compositions of steel.

MatWeb: Material Property Data

For example the search “low carbon steel” results in the list of links to information:
http://www.matweb.com/search/QuickText.aspx?SearchText=low%20carbon%20steel

There are a variety of numbering systems for materials such as steel. The unified numbering system (UNS) uses a letter to designate a material category followed by five numbers constructed from the existing materials designations to coordinate all of these numbering systems.

The unified numbering system (UNS) is described in Wikipedia at the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_numbering_system

Some of the category letters for steel are:
- G for AISI/SAE carbon and alloy steels;
- S for stainless steels; and
- T for tool steels.
The complete listing of categories can be found in the Engineer’s Handbook:
http://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/uns.htm

Generally, the standard designation is inserted after the letter defining the material category. For example, AISI/SAE 1018 carbon steel has the UNS designation G10180.

The AISI-SAE steel alloy designation system is listed in the Engineer’s Handbook table:
http://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/carbonsteelalloys.htm
Also see Wikipedia at the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_steel_grades

Cambridge University provides a useful overview of materials properties such as the chart below.

Elastic Modulus v. Density

The tutorial can be accessed at the link:
http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/125/now/mfs/tutorial/non_IE/charts.html

The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides an on-line periodic table. Access it and other information at the link:
http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/PerTable/index.html

National Institute of Standards and Technology