Development of a museum-quality display of mechanisms

Abstract

Three interactive models were developed as part of a museum-quality exhibit of interesting mechanisms. Models of Peaucellier's linkage, Klann's linkage, and a Geneva drive were designed, analyzed, and fabricated. Peaucellier's linkage is a simple mechanism that contains seven links and is able to generate a mathematically exact straight line from only the rotation of cleverly-arranged rigid members. Klann's linkage is able to simulate the walking motion of an animal and is often compared to a crab or spider gait. A Geneva drive is a device that converts continuous into intermittent rotary motion. The models were made from brass and aluminum for both the aesthetically-pleasing quality and relative durability of the materials. All three models were created successfully and work quite well. However, as with any project, there are a few aspects of the mechanisms that could be improved, namely excessive deflections in the Klann linkage and interference issues in the Peaucellier linkage model. The ultimate goal for these exhibit pieces is to display them in the Pappalardo Laboratory for educational purposes.