Fundamentals of Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines and Mechanisms

The study of the kinematics and dynamics of machines lies at the very core of a mechanical engineering background. Although tremendous advances have been made in the computational and design tools now available, little has changed in the way the subject is presented, both in the classroom and in professional references. Fundamentals of Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines and Mechanisms brings the subject alive and current. The author's careful integration of Mathematica software gives readers a chance to perform symbolic analysis, to plot the results, and most importantly, to animate the motion. They get to "play" with the mechanism parameters and immediately see their effects. A CD-ROM packaged with the book contains Mathematica-based programs for suggested design projects. As useful as Mathematica is, however, a tool should not interfere with but enhance one's grasp of the concepts and the development of analytical skills. The author ensures this with his emphasis on the understanding and application of basic theoretical principles, unified approach to the analysis of planar mechanisms, and introduction to vibrations and rotordynamics. "...this text emphasizes the understanding & applications of basic theoretical principles. The author uses Mathematica software throughout for practical solutions enhancing the effectiveness of problem solving." The study of the kinematics and dynamics of machines lies at the very core of a mechanical engineering background. Although tremendous advances have been made in the computational and design tools now available, little has changed in the way the subject is presented, both in the classroom and in professional references. Fundamentals of Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines and Mechanisms brings the subject alive and current. The author's careful integration of Mathematica software gives readers a chance to perform symbolic analysis, to plot the results, and most importantly, to animate the motion. They get to "play" with the mechanism parameters and immediately see their effects. The downloadable resources contain Mathematica-based programs for suggested design projects. As useful as Mathematica is, however, a tool should not interfere with but enhance one's grasp of the concepts and the development of analytical skills. The author ensures this with his emphasis on the understanding and application of basic theoretical principles, unified approach to the analysis of planar mechanisms, and introduction to vibrations and rotordynamics. This text focuses on the fundamentals of kinematics and dynamics of machines, emphasizing the understanding and applications of basic theoretical principles. Examples in the text and exercises at the end of each chapter illustrate applications to a variety of engineering problems. The author uses Mathematica software throughout the text for practical solutions, thus enhancing the effectiveness of problem solving techniques and providing clear, visual demonstrations of the results in robust diagrams and motion animation. "Fundamentals of Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines and Mechanisms brings the subject alive and current. The author's careful integration of Mathematica software gives you a chance to perform symbolic analysis, to plot the results, and, most importantly, to animate the motion. You get to "play" with the mechanism parameters and immediately see their effects. A CD-ROM packaged with the book contains a sample of Mathematica-based programs to be used as guides for suggested design projects."--BOOK JACKET. This subject is a continuation of statics and dynamics, which is taken by students in their freshman or sophomore years.