The Virtual Cam – Hexagon Method Authentication on Locating Key Instant Centers of All Planar Single Degree of Freedom Kinematically Indeterminate Linkages up to Ten-Bar
At this moment all the methods which had been proposed have extremely limited application to only several specific constructions of kinematically indeterminate linkages, i.e. their complete sets of instant centers cannot be obtained simply from Kennedy Theorem due to lack of enough four-bar loop information in their constructions. Planar single degree of freedom linkages up to ten-bar include two different types of mechanisms, i.e. pure bar linkages, such as four-, six-, eight-, and ten-bar; and geared-bar linkages, i.e. geared-five, seven, and nine-bar. The huge varieties of different types and constructions can serve as great testbeds for these methods. This research systematically investigates and modifies the graphical approach, i.e. virtual cam method, whose employment will show it to be an almost-universal method which can be compliantly applied on very wide range of kinematically indeterminate linkages. The procedures and criteria of the methodology are proposed and examined thoroughly to help locate key instant centers of all planar single degree of freedom kinematically indeterminate linkages up to ten-bar so that their complete sets of instant centers can be located successfully. We call this modified and improved technique as Virtual Cam – Hexagon Method. The results are verified carefully against traditional Kennedy Theorem approach and CAD modeling.