The text is designed for an undergraduate Mechanical Engineering course in Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery. One goal of the text is to develop the ability of students to formulate and solve problems involving linkages, cams, gears, robotic manipulators and other mechanisms. Developing an understanding of the implications of computed results is another important goal. That is, what do your results mean; how can you improve the design? * NEW-Thorough revision of the material on cam design, including design of higher-order polynomial cam profiles. * Students, plot, analyze, and compare motion characteristics of cam and follower systems. This increases their understanding of practical cam-design considerations for specific applications. * NEW-Detailed end-of-chapter summaries along with additional review and discussion items. * Gives students a chance to practice covered topics immediately upon completion. * NEW-Suggestions for "working smart," particularly with computers. The text illustrates efficient use of mathematics software for computation and plotting of results. Computer-aided matrix solutions are used where appropriate.
* Students analyze and plot motion characteristics of planar and spatial linkages through a full range of motion. * Students avoid boring, repetitive work and put more emphasis on design-oriented tasks and interpretation of results. * Students make contour plots and three-dimensional plots to aid in optimizing linkages and to aid in selecting gears. * Coverage within the text includes such areas as mechanisms and machines; motion in machinery; velocity and acceleration analysis of mechanism; design and analysis of cams, gears, and drive trains; static and dynamic force; and an introduction to robotic manipulators. This text has been updated throughout. * Students obtain a broad range of skills for design and analysis of mechanisms. * NEW-Knowledge gained in previous courses is reinforced. E.g., matrix methods become meaningful when applied to equations describing velocities and accelerations in a spatial linkage. Computational and analysis skills learned and sharpened in studying kinematics and dynamics of machinery are carried forward, even to unrelated courses and to engineering practice.
* A course based on the text provides many opportunities for students to develop abilities listed in the program outcomes and assessment criteria of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. * NEW-Supplement: Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery-A Guide for Instructors, includes comments on course development and other topics, plus solutions to all new problems and virtually all the old problems. * Professors can use homework to evaluate student mastery of topics.