Lab Session #6

Title

Investigate the motion of Whitworth’s Quick Return Mechanism

Apparatus
 Whitworth’s Quick Return Mechanism
 Measurement tools: Scale, Vernier calipers and Protractor

Introduction
Working principle of Whitworth’s Quick Return Mechanism

Governing Equations:
Position:

Velocity:

Acceleration:

Can the Whitworth’s Quick Return Mechanism be used in Shaper machine? If so, explain with
the help of diagrams.

[Explanation here]

[Figures here]

Procedure
You have been asked to fill a table by recording displacement of slider as a result of
incrementally rotating the crank. You will then compare the results with those of analytical
solution as per the equations mentioned above.

Sketch:
Steps:

1. Measurement of link lengths and dimensions:

2. Initial position setup:

3. Incremental rotation of crank (15°):

4. Resulting displacement of slider

5. Repeat to fill the table

6. Compute the corresponding positions using analytical method

Table
Displacement Displacement
Crank Rotation
(Experimental) (Analytical)
[deg]
[in] or [mm] [in] or [mm]
0

15

30

45

60

75

90

105

120

135

150
 165

180

195

210

225

240

255

270

285

300

315

330

345

360

Plots
[Your plots here]

Additional Tasks:
Take the data collected during the lab session; then fit a polynomial using Python/Matlab. In
Matlab, one can explore existing toolbox(es) for curve fitting. Potentially, cubic spline can be
a good starting point. In Python, however, you need to search a bit. Take help from the code
developed in Lab session #8.
 Once done, compute the velocity and acceleration by taking time derivates of the polynomial
consecutively. Plot and then compare with the results of governing equations listed in the
start.
Code
[Your code here]

Polynomials
[Your polynomials here]

Plots
[Your plots here]

Comparison

Conclusions