MODEL ANSWERS FOR ME311 TEST

Q1a
SOLUTION:

(2marks)

(3marks)

(5marks)

Q1b.
Solution:
300rpm ×10
(1) 𝑛2 =
60

𝑛2 = 50𝑟𝑝𝑚

(2) 𝑛3 = 𝑛2
(3) 𝑛4 = 50𝑟𝑝𝑚
50
×15

𝑛4 = 15𝑟𝑝𝑚
300
(4) Total reduction =
15
=20

Torque increase by 20 while power stays throughout

(10marks)

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Q2a.
SOLUTION:
The mobility of a mechanism is its number of degrees of freedom. This translates into a number
of independent input motions leading to a single follower motion.
Kutzbach’s criterion of mobility:
m = 3(n – 1) – 2j1– j2
where n is the number of links, j1 is the number of low-pair joints, and j2 is the number of high-
pair joints. Note that 1 is subtracted from n in the above equation to take into account that the
mobility of the frame is zero. (5marks)

Q2b
Solution:
The type of motion is a function of the link lengths. Grashof's theorem (or Grashof’s
rule) gives the criteria for these various conditions as follows:

Let us identify the link lengths in a four-bar chain as:

l= length of the longest link

s= length of the shortest link
p,q = length of the two intermediate links

The following statements are valid

1. If l + s < p + q (if the sum of the lengths of the shortest and the longest links is less than
the sum of the two intermediate links)
Then:

a, b) Two different crank-rocker mechanisms are possible. In each case the shortest link is the
crank, the fixed link is either of the adjacent links.
c) One double-crank (drag-link) is possible when the shortest link is the frame.
d) One double-rocker mechanism is possible when the link opposite the shortest link is the
frame.
• If l + s > p + q (if the sum of the longest and the shortest link lengths is greater than
the sum of the lengths of the two-intermediate links).
Only double-rocker mechanisms are possible (four different mechanisms, depending on the
fixed link).
• If l + s = p + q the four possible mechanisms in (1) will result. However, these
mechanisms will suffer from a condition known as the change point. The center lines
of all the links are collinear at this position. The follower linkage may change the
direction of rotation. This is an undetermined position. (7.5marks – 2.5each for a
condition)

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Q2c
Solution: Using Kutzbach’s criteria,
(a) m = 3(n-1) - 2𝑗1 − 𝑗2
n = number of links,
j1 = number of low pair joints and
j2 = number of high pair joints.
m = 3(5-1) -2(5) – 0
m = 12-10
m = 2 (mechanism)
(b) m = 3(n-1) - 2𝑗1 − 𝑗2
n = j1
m = 3(3-1) -2(3) – 0
m = 6-6
m = 0 (structure)
(c) m = 3(n-1) - 2𝑗1 − 𝑗2
m = 3(4-1) -2(4) – 0
m = 9-8
m=1
m = 1-2 additional links of mobility
m = 1-2
m = -1 (7.5marks -as in b)

Q3.
Solution:

(20marks – properly distributed)

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