346 SYNTHESIS OF LINKAGES

Before beginning the final step, we note that the linkage is now defined. Four arbitrary
decisions were made: the location of 04, the radii Rand r, and the location of O2. Thus an
infinite number of solutions are possible.
Referring to Fig. 11.18, locate point 2 by making triangles C2A204 and C,AI2 con-
gruent. Locate point 4 by making C4A, 04 and C, A ,4 congruent. Points 4,2, and 04 lie on
a circle whose center is B,. So B, is found at the intersection of the midnormals of 042
and 044. Note that the procedure used causes points I and 3 to coincide with 04. With Bl
located, the links can be drawn in place and the mechanism tested to see how well it traces
the prescribed path.
To synthesize a linkage to generate a path through five precision points, it is possible
to make two point reductions. Begin by choosing five points, C1 to Cs, on the path to be
traced. Choose two pairs of these for reduction purposes. In Fig. 11.19 we choose the pairs
C1 Cs and C2C3. Other pairs that could have been chosen are

C1 Cs, C2C4, C1 Cs, C3C4, C1 C4, C2C3, C2CS, C3C4

Construct the perpendicular bisectors C23 and CIS of the lines connecting each pair. These
intersect at point 04• Note that 04 can, therefore, be located conveniently by a judicious
choice of the pairs to be used as well as by the choice of the positions of the points C; on
the path.
The next step is best performed by using a sheet of tracing paper as an overlay. Secure
the tracing paper to the drawing and mark upon it the center 04, the midnormal C23, and an-
other line from 04 to C2. Such an overlay is shown in Fig. 11.20a with the line 04C2 des-
ignated as 04C~, This defines the angle ¢23/2. Now rotate the overlay about the point 04
until the midnormal coincides with CIS and repeat for point C,. This defines the angle ¢ls/2
and the corresponding line 04C;,