Date of Award
Spring 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Voglewede, Philip
Second Advisor
Slaboch, Brian
Third Advisor
Fleischmann, Jonathan
Abstract
Reconfigurable mechanisms provide increased flexibility in machine design and can be used in a variety of applications. Variable joints in reconfigurable mechanisms allow for machine designs that better optimize space and resources. This thesis uses a configuration space analysis to determine the motion profiles of Prismatic-Prismatic higher variable joints. Prismatic-Prismatic variable joints have never been analyzed or synthesized. In addition, no variable joints of any type have been considered with two-dimensional contact points. Variable joints enable the creation of Type II Mechanisms with Variable Topology, mechanisms whose topology changes due to changes in joint geometry. The goal of this synthesis is to synthesize Prismatic-Prismatic variable joints with one and two-dimensional contacts, outline their designs, and determine the design restrictions for each variation.