Cams & motion
One cam rise, two laws: cycloidal and 3-4-5 polynomial calculations
Compare displacement, velocity, acceleration and jerk for a 30 mm rise. Change the inputs, check the equations and solve exercises.
Technical library
Mechanical engineering articles
Worked examples, fundamentals and guides to gears, planetary systems, transmissions and cams. Search the library by topic or keyword.
26 articles
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Cams & motion
CrucibleCam for Windows: more tools for turning motion laws into designs
Discover CrucibleCam 1.5.0 for Windows: cam design, SVAJ analysis, automatic search, discontinuity correction and the features unlocked by PRO.
Planetary gears & transmissions
How to check planetary gear results: three worked cases
A 24-tooth sun and 72-tooth ring: calculate three configurations, check signs and solve an exercise with two inputs.
Cams & motion
How CrucibleCam corrects discontinuities in cam SVAJ curves
Understand, through equations and a complete example, how CrucibleCam corrects velocity and acceleration discontinuities by changing only beta or only delta L.
Cams & motion
Comparing displacement curves in CrucibleCam
Technical comparison of the displacement curves available in CrucibleCam, including normalized velocity, acceleration and jerk factors, continuity and recommended applications.
Cams & motion
CrucibleCam example: correcting discontinuities in cam design
Complete CrucibleCam design example: a 60 mm rise, a constant-velocity segment and automatic discontinuity correction by changing beta.
Cams & motion
CrucibleCam: automatic selection and discontinuity correction for cam design
Technical review of CrucibleCam, LASME software for industrial cam design with 65 curve options, automatic search, SVAJ analysis and discontinuity correction.
Gears & fundamentals
Interactive Powertrain: new LASME teaching tool
Technical article introducing Interactive Powertrain, a LASME teaching tool for visualizing engine, gearbox, differential and wheel speeds, with a worked example in straight-line motion and in a turn.
Cams & motion
Displacement curves for cam design
Article on displacement curves for cam design: SVAJ, dwell, constant velocity, cycloidal motion, harmonic motion and eighth-degree polynomial motion.
Gears & fundamentals
Simple and compound gear trains
Article about simple and compound gear trains, train value, intermediate gears, directions of rotation and gear ratios.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Compound planetary gear sets and differentials
Article about planetary gears compounds, couplings, degrees of freedom and kinematic reading of automotive differentials.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Planetary gears: general case and interpretation of train value
Technical article on the general formulation of epicyclic gear trains, interpretation of train value and didactic reading of relative speeds in planetary gears.
Gears & fundamentals
Gears: functions, profile and essential nomenclature
Introductory article on gear functions, involute profile, module, tooth count, pitch diameter and basic nomenclature.
Gears & fundamentals
Bevel, helical, and worm gears
Didactic comparison between bevel gears, helicals and worm, focusing on axes, transmission direction, reduction and analysis care.
Cams & motion
Cams: fundamentals of synthesis, movement and analysis of mechanisms
Technical article on the role of cams, laws of motion, pressure angle and analysis criteria in profile-driven mechanisms.
Cams & motion
Analytical design of cams: base radius, pressure and curvature
Article on analytical design of cams with flat and roller follower, base radius, pressure angle, curvature and edge risk.
Cams & motion
Cams: nomenclature, followers and design workflow
Article on nomenclature of cams, types of followers, base radius, course, pressure angle, critical positions and initial design workflow.
Gears & fundamentals
Manual transmission as a gear train
Didactic reading of manual transmission as gear train with primary shaft, countershaft, output shaft, selected gears, direct gear and reverse.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Applications of planetary gears
Article on applications of planetary gears in screwdrivers, automatic transmissions, differentials, mechanical CVTs and compact high torque systems.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Planetary Gear Design in Engrenarium
Technical article about Engrenarium planetary gear set design module, with simple and compound planetary gear set design, assembly restrictions and choice of results.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Ferguson's mechanical paradox: assembly in Engrenarium
Technical article on Ferguson's mechanical paradox, its historical origin, assembly in Engrenarium and kinematic explanation with planetary gears.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Allison 1000 transmission: assembly in Engrenarium
Technical article on how to assemble the Allison 1000 automatic transmission in Engrenarium, with three consecutive planetary gears, tooth counts and gear ratios.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Ravigneaux transmission: four gears and reverse
Technical article on how to assemble a Ravigneaux transmission in Engrenarium, with tooth counts, first, second, third, fourth and reverse ratios.
Planetary gears & transmissions
Ford Model T Transmission: Two Speeds and Reverse
Technical article on how to assemble the planetary transmission of the Ford Model T in Engrenarium, with tooth counts, gear ratios and kinematic reading.
Planetary gears & transmissions
How to assemble a compound planetary gear set in Engrenarium
Technical article on the assembly of a two-stage compound planetary gear set in Engrenarium, with coupling between carriers and planets, equations and results.
Planetary gears & transmissions
How to assemble a CVT transmission in Engrenarium
Technical article on the assembly of a didactic CVT transmission mechanism in Engrenarium, with planetary gear train, ratio sun gear/carrier, forward gear and reverse gear.