Coupler curves of four-bar linkages plotted in graphical programs

摘要

This work is devoted to the plotting of coupler curves in the environment of graphical programs. As there is a large variety of shapes, for the purpose of this study, the authors selected those curves that feature a cusp form. In the research, two software programs were used, i.e., AutoCAD and Rhinoceros with the Grasshopper plug-in. Two types of curves were defined: a fixed and a moving centrode, in which the points of the moving centrode define the coupler curves whose cusps are located on the fixed centrode. In conclusion, two design tools were compared and the curves in question were discussed in detail.