Recent Blogs
Eight-bar Linkage Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Parts, Diagram and Grübler DOF Formula
Explore a Jansen-type eight-bar walking leg with a calculated foot path. Adjust scale, crank radius and speed; see rigid links, joint count, travel and gait...
Drum and Rope Conversion Mechanism Explained: How Winch Drums Convert Rotation to Linear Pull
Explore winding-drum rotation and tangential rope travel. Calculate line speed, travel per turn and ideal pull from effective diameter, rpm and shaft torque.
Drag-link Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Parts, Diagram, Quick-Return Uses & Formula
Explore a drag-link four-bar with adjustable link lengths and input speed. Calculate Grashof margin, variable output rpm and two output half-turn times.
Double-rocker Mechanism: How It Works, Parts, Formula, Diagram and Uses in Four-Bar Linkages
Explore a double-rocker four-bar linkage. Set four link lengths to calculate assembly class, feasible input limits and sampled output swing.
Double-crank Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Diagram, Parts, Grashof Condition and Uses
Explore a double-crank four-bar linkage. Adjust link lengths, check the Grashof condition, and calculate instantaneous output speed through the cycle.
Diagonal Catch Hand-gear (top of Cylinder): Mechanism, Parts & Calculator Explained
Explore Brown 182 diagonal catch valve gear for pumping engines. See the four-valve sequence and calculate ideal cylinder force, volume and piston speed.
Diagonal Catch Hand-gear (raising Piston): Mechanism, Parts, Diagram and Formula Explained
Explore Brown 181 diagonal catch valve gear for pumping engines. See the four-valve sequence and calculate ideal cylinder force, volume and piston speed.
Crossed-slider Chain Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Parts, Formula, and Uses
Explore an elliptic trammel with a tracing point between two slider pins. Calculate ellipse width, height, area and pin spacing, and compare slider travel.
Crank-rocker Mechanism: How It Works, Diagram, Parts, Formula, and Industrial Uses Explained
Explore four-bar linkage geometry. Check full input rotation, output angular range, Grashof margin and minimum transmission angle from four entered link lengths.
Compliant Mechanism: Flexure Motion, Pin-Joint Clearance and Uses Explained
See how flexible leaves guide a moving stage. Compare new and worn pin-joint clearance, and understand why zero joint clearance does not mean perfect positioning.
Cognate Linkage Mechanism: How It Works, Roberts-Chebyshev Theorem, Diagram and Uses Explained
Compare three Roberts–Chebyshev four-bar cognates tracing one point path. Scale the coupler triangle and inspect matching configurations and different fixed pivots.
Chebyshev Linkage: Double-Rocker Motion and Coupler-Midpoint Path
Explore a Chebyshev double-rocker linkage. Adjust four link lengths and compare sampled horizontal span and vertical variation of the coupler midpoint.
Carpenter's Bench-clamp Mechanism Explained: How It Works, Parts, Formula, Diagram
See how a curved-arm holdfast contacts a workpiece and bench hole. Compare shank clearance and geometric contact tilt from hole diameter, shank diameter and bore...
Cardan Straight-line Mechanism: How It Works, Diagram, Formula, and Uses Explained
Explore the Cardan straight-line mechanism: a half-size pinion inside a fixed ring. Compare pitch diameters, stroke and tooth counts in the ideal 2:1 geometry.
Bricard Exact Straight-Line Mechanism: Linkage Animation and Travel Calculator
Explore Bricard’s planar straight-line linkage. Adjust pivot spacing and crank sweep to calculate link lengths and the perpendicular travels of Q and D.
Bell-crank with Weighted Cord and Pulley Mechanism: How It Works, Parts, Formula, and Uses
Bell-crank with weighted cord and pulley explained — how the linkage converts gravity into linear pull for gates, signals, and theatre rigging. Formula and worked...
Bell-crank Lever (changing Direction of Force): Mechanism, Diagram, Animation & Calculator Explained
Bell-crank lever explained: how this 90° force-redirecting linkage works, with formulas, worked examples, and real uses in aircraft controls and machinery.
Air-pump Motion: Lever, Pinion and Opposed Piston Racks
Explore a lever-driven pinion moving two piston racks in opposite directions. Calculate per-cylinder displacement and compare flow with an illustrative loss allowance.
Lazy-tongs Mechanism Explained: How Scissor Linkage Extends, Formula, Parts and Uses
Lazy-tongs explained — how the pantograph-style scissor linkage extends, the math behind reach and force, plus real uses in industrial reaching tools and stage rigs.
Trammel of Archimedes: Ellipse Geometry Calculator
Explore perpendicular sliders with a tracing point between them. Calculate ideal semi-axes, area and eccentricity from point-to-slider distances.
Vertical Bucket Wheel: Ideal Water-delivery Calculator
Explore bucket pickup and delivery. Calculate ideal carried volume, rim speed and hydraulic power using an assumed lift of 0.85 wheel diameter; actual wheel performance...
Two-masted Lug Rig: Ideal Lift and Component Comparison
Explore a dipping foresail and standing mizzen. Compare an ideal lift magnitude and selected component without predicting boat speed, rig loads or reefing limits.
Topsail Schooner: Historical Rig and Sail-area Comparison
Explore a square-topsail schooner rig and compare entered sail area with displacement. Also convert weight and compare area and angle inputs; no sailing performance is...
Timber Hitch: Rope Arrangement and Illustrative Geometry
Explore the timber-hitch rope arrangement and illustrative wrap dimensions. The calculator does not predict grip, capacity or safe rigging.
Rolling Thrust Bearing: Basic L10 Rating-life Calculator
Calculate basic rolling-bearing L10 life from catalogue rating, equivalent axial load and constant speed. The calculation does not guarantee service life or select a bearing.