Computer-Aided Modeling and Manufacturing of Spherical Mechanisms via a Novel Web Tool

In this paper, we present a novel web-based computer-aided modeling and manufacturing software tool for spherical mechanisms. Our purpose is to facilitate the analysis, dynamic simulation, and manufacture of one degree of freedom spherical four-bar mechanisms. First, a brief review of some of the current computer-aided design software for spherical four-bar mechanisms is presented. These software packages provide the three-dimensional visualization and computational capabilities necessary to synthesize and analyze spherical four-bar mechanisms. However, to date, no readily available and effective tools exist to aid in the modeling and manufacture of spherical mechanisms. Next, the kinematics of spherical four-bar mechanisms are reviewed as they pertain to their geometric modeling and manufacture. Finally, we present our web-based implementation of a computer-aided modeling, simulation, and manufacturing methodology for spherical four-bar mechanisms called SFBDESIGNER (for spherical four-bar designer). SFBDESIGNER facilitates the design, dynamic simulation, prototyping, and manufacture of spherical four-bar mechanisms.