This article presents a new spatial mechanism with single degree of freedom (DOF) for three-dimensional path generation. The path can be defined by prescribing at most seven precision points. The moving platform of the mechanism is supported by a U-R (universal-revolute) leg and two S-S (spherical-spherical) legs. The driving unit is the first axis of the universal pair. The U-R leg is synthesized first with the problem of order defects being considered. Precision points then lead to prescribed poses of the moving platform. Two S-S legs are then synthesized to meet these poses. This spatial mechanism with a given input is analogous to a planar kinematic chain so that all possible configurations of the spatial mechanism can be constructed. A strategy consisting of three stages for evaluating branch defects is developed with the aid of the characteristic of double configurations and the technique of coding three constituent four-bar linkages. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the design, the evaluation of defects, and the performance of the mechanism.
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