Abstract
The superficial coverage of mechanism theory in undergraduate courses, and the difficulty to efficiently convey insights into mechanism kinematics through blackboard teaching alone, have made the deep knowledge of mechanisms and their variety rare among engineers. The adoption of 3D simulation software with specific focus towards kinematics and a rich catalogue of mechanisms, can make it easier for students to learn and appreciate, and for teachers to teach, mechanism theory. MechAnalyzer, in the development of which the second and third authors have been involved, is one such program. Due to its specific application as a learning tool, MechAnalyzer has a significantly lower barrier to entry compared to CAD/CAE tools and other software. In its multiple modules, it also aggregates features that may be available in many different software, that are directly related to an undergraduate Theory of Machines course. Many of its modules have been reported in the literature elsewhere. In this paper, the addition of new mechanisms such as six-bar linkages, exact straight-line mechanisms and walking mechanisms have been reported. A new Mechanism Explorer module has been introduced for curious users to further explore mechanism theory. A practical application of MechAnalyzer in the classroom teaching of mechanism science has been demonstrated. A kinematic formulation that makes it simpler to deploy new mechanisms in the software has also been presented.
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Saha, N., Chittawadigi, R.G., Saha, S.K. (2022). MechAnalyzer for Teaching of Kinematics of Linkage Mechanisms Through Simulations and Historical Context. In: Khang, N.V., Hoang, N.Q., Ceccarelli, M. (eds) Advances in Asian Mechanism and Machine Science. ASIAN MMS 2021. Mechanisms and Machine Science, vol 113. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91892-7_5
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