S{sub}(PHINX)CAM-PROE: COMPUTER-AIDED MODELING MANUFACTURING OF SPHERICAL MECHANISMS VIA THE WEB

摘要

In this paper we present a web-based computer-aided design modeling and manufacturing methodology for spherical mechanisms. Our purpose is to facilitate the analysis, dynamic simulation, and manufacture of one degree of freedom spherical four-bar mechanisms. First, a brief review of some of the current computer-aided design (CAD) software for spherical four-bar mechanisms, e.g. S{sub}(PHINX), S{sub}(PHINX)PC, I{sub}(SIS), and O{sub}(SIRIS) is presented. These software packages provide the three-dimensional visualization and computational capabilities necessary to design spherical four-bar mechanisms. However, to date no readily available and effective tools exist to aid in the modeling and manufacture of spherical mechanisms. Next, the kinematics of spherical four-bar mechanisms are reviewed as they pertain to their geometric modeling and manufacture. Finally, we present our web-based implementation of a computer-aided modeling, simulation, and manufacturing methodology for spherical four-bar mechanisms called S{sub}(PHINX)CAM-Pro|E. S{sub}(PHINX)CAM-Pro|E, when used with the CAD tools mentioned above, facilitates the design, dynamic simulation, prototyping, and manufacture of spherical four-bar mechanisms.