Prototype spherical archway
Smitty constructed this prototype of our spherical deployable structure. It is an assembly of spherical rhombus linkages that expands to form a semi-circular structure.
Entries by Prof. McCarthy
Six-bar linkage prototypes
Here are two videos of our first attempt to build prototypes for some of our six-bar linkage design concepts. These models were built by Steve and Justin with guidance from Smitty. This is the six-bar linkage that guides a bottom drawer to a position that is level with the top drawer. The links were cut […]
Automotive components
Chris Longhurst has assembled a number of descriptive articles and illustrations about automotive engines, transmissions, steering, suspensions, brakes and tires on his site http://www.carbibles.com Also information about roller coaster simulation software can be found on his personal website http://www.chris-longhurst.com/nolimits.html.
TV deployment linkage
Mikhail Zhuk generated this animation of Jerome Choe’s concept for a six-bar linkage that rotates a 70in TV monitor down from the ceiling around a virtual pivot positioned down from the ceiling and in front of the wall. We hope to build a physical prototype. (UCI Robotics and Automation Lab)
Cam-driven artist mechanical toy
This video shows the operation of a cam-driven toy artist. I found it on Dug North’s Automata/Automaton blog, http://dugnorth.com/blog/ My class notes on cam-follower systems can be downloaded at the link: http://synthetica.eng.uci.edu/mechanicaldesign101/McCarthyNotes-Cams2.pdf
Linkage models at TU-Delft
Prof. A. J. Klein Breteler maintains an array of mechanism models at TU-Delft. Access videos of these models at the site: Linkage Models
Parallel Mechanisms information center
Ilian Bonev maintains bibliography and patent databases on parallel mechanisms and much more at ParallelMIC. Access it at the link http://www.parallemic.org/
Kinetic horse sculpture
This articulated model horse is by the artist James Watt. A kit for this device and other designs can be found on his web-site: http://clockworkrobot.com/
Deployable archway
This animation of Jerome Choe’s concept for a spherical archway was generated by Mikhail Zhuk. Spherical rhombus elements form a foldable structure. (UCI Robotics and Automation Lab)
Stackable fold-up emergency shelter
Mikhail Zhuk animated this design concept for an eight-bar linkage to deploy a collapsible emergency structure. A physical prototype is under development. (UCI Robotics and Automation Lab)