Approximate four-bar circle-tracing mechanisms: classical and new synthesis

A good understanding of the kinematic properties of some approximate four-b ar circle-tracing mechanisms conceived by Chebyshev can allow a synthesis f ormulation without laborious computation algorithms, The kinematic peculiar ities have been analysed to show the mechanism behaviour which the success of these Chebyshev's mechanisms also in practical engineering is based on. A synthesis method has been formulated with an algebraic form by using the focused fundamental kinematic characteristics to obtain these Chebyshev's m echanisms and new ones useful for the circle path generation. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.