Motion Transformation

Mechanical systems often transform one type of motion into another using mechanisms such as linkages, cranks, cams and gears. For example, a crank and slider mechanism can convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion, as seen in a car engine where the crankshaft rotates, causing the pistons to move back and forth. A cam and follower can transform rotary motion to reciprocating or oscillating motion.

507movements

507 Mechanical Movements is a book by Henry T. Brown first published in 1868 contains 507 different mechanisms. These are fantastic to study and help give you an idea of different ways to transform mototion.

The website 507movements.com contains all of the mechanisms from the book, with many in animated form.

Linkages

Linkages are a system of levers and other mechanisms connected by joints. The joints create pivot points, transforming the input motion via the different links to output motion. Linkages can transform motion from one type to another, and can also change the direction of motion.

Mechanism 246 shows how linkages were used to create a pantograph—a tool that allowed designers to scale drawings up or down by tracing one image, and having a pencil controlled by the linkages draw the scaled output.

You can read more about linkages here.

Crank

A crank is a rigid arm fixed to a rotating shaft/wheel. A crank is used to either convert reciprocating motion into rotary motion, or rotaty motion into reciprocating motion. A crankshaft is a shaft designed to utelise multiple cranks at the same time.

Crank and Slider at 507 Mechanical Movements.

Cam and Followers

A cam is an irregular shaped disc on a rotating shaft (camshaft). As the cam rotates, the irregular shape or off-centred camshaft pushes the follower, transforming the rotary motion into reciprocating motion. The follower is generally kept in contact with the cam through gravity, or springs.

Cam and Follower at 507 Mechanical Movements.

thang010146 on YouTube has a lot of complex mechanisms showing different transformation of motion.