Four bar linkages for 3D printing - Guide with examples

[@MidnightMaker]

As an undergrad, I was approved to take ME302 Synthesis of Mechanisms by the head of the ME department. I had already had a semester of Grashov crank/rocker mechanisms. These were by far my favorite classes and now I see 4 bar mechanisms everywhere. Thanks for doing this video!

[@jjmelo]

"Goodbye benchy and good luck on your voyage" made me chuckle out loud

[@simplestuffmatters]

this video is a great example for why your channel is awesome: you take something seemingly mundane and explore the heck out of it in a really interesting and educational manner. Super interesting and inspirational. Thank you, Michael.

[@mik13ST]

I recommend a program/game called Algodoo. It's realtime 2D physics simulator. It's free, intuitive and easy (aimed at teaching physics). You would make 4 rectangles, position them or resize them to fit, add hinges in the corners, add "fix to background" thing to the base link and then unpause and play with it by dragging any linkage. Or you could turn on motors for one of the hinges and even plot the angular speed of input and output link. Algodoo also has springs which could be used to test the snapping mechanisms from previous episodes.

[@TeachingTech]

I used to use that with my students but forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder.

[@mik13ST]

@@TeachingTech You did? That's actually awesome.

[@stefanguiton]

Excellent video

[@QuakeDragon]

Rack and pinion or scotch yokes next? Love it. Thanks for making this series.

[@Renatunes]

I love the series, keep it coming. I am looking for a mechanism for a drummer robot. I think that catapult version of this mechanism is perfect for that.

[@TeachingTech]

That would be cool!

[@davidbrennan7422]

I used a four bar variation to make an oscillating archery target some years ago, but this is was before my printer and my hand tools skills were enough to get it working but not enough for it to be robust for more than a few arrow strikes. Hoping to use the printer to inprove the design and beef it up significantly. Great explanation and a good motivation to go back to that project. Thanks for all your videos, you're a consistent source of information and inspiration.

[@gonegliding2966]

interesting video Michael. Cheers. Now to pump up that tyre 🙂

[@joelpotischman248]

Very nice. Seeing how your servo snaps into its attachment piece, how your first draft pieces snapped together, etc. it would would be great if you did a video on snap-together (annular) joints. I'm fairly new to 3D printing and would love some guidance on making parts snap together, clip to things, etc. But please inflate your bike tire first!! 😜

[@UltramaticOrange]

Reminds me a lot of the pantograph which I've used a fair bit in the form of a tool called the patorouter which lets you cut patterns into wood by following a template twice the size of the desired cut.

[@MCsCreations]

Fascinating indeed! Thanks, Michael! 😊 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@CDRaff]

You need a bit of air in that rear tire.

[@capitalinventor4823]

Thanks for another great video. It's wonderful how you are able to simplify advanced subjects without dumbing down the content. When you were moving your model manually it looked a bit awkward. Perhaps some removable handles that were perpendicular to the four bar linkage would assist in trying to move it. If the handle was attached to the model using a bolt through the slot used for sizing the item then handle could be placed in the spot best for them.

[@dancollins1012]

Great series, more mechanisms please!

[@aL3891_]

This series is great!

[@krashanb5767]

Excellent series, thank you 😊

[@devluz]

Great. I have never used it before but now I have so many ideas I am not sure I will be able to sleep tonight :D

[@cubing4eternity774]

I used this in my animation project to make an automaton, I used thin laser cut pieces of acrylic(what was available to me at the time) but that proved to have too much flex and so the path taken wasn't reliable. But I had fun learning about it and getting it to kinda work on a toy. Now that I'm into 3d printing might be time to revisit it.

[@kdt85]

Love this series

[@conorstewart2214]

The cycling with a servo could be made easier by adding a flywheel to the output, it would give it more rotational inertia and hence more rotational momentum which could keep it running easier.

[@jeftesantiago]

I am studying Kinematics (Mechanical of Mechanisms) this semester. I would recommend you to do a Grashof condition analysis on a system to know what class of movement is it going to have. Also try to use Barker’s classification to know the name of the linkage and its classification.

[@koh69r]

Does anyone else notice 🤣👉 there's no air in that tire.

[@ivonakis]

It drives comment engagement :D

[@FounderOf4]

It really took the air out of this video!

[@MidnightMaker]

Also, if your original 4 bar mechanism doesn't fit within the framework of your project, you can get an identical output from the cognate linkage.

[@timroberts69]

It was interesting to see how the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL & PCL) for a four-bar linkage. I don't have an ACL in my right knee as I have had a total knee replacement which removed this and both my menisci. The metal joint stabilizes the knee through clever design.

[@jasoneverett8491]

HI Michael, I really appreciate this series on simple mechanisms and how integrated it is with 3d printing, looking forward to more in the future. Can I ask about your shirt though, 88 could be coincidental or it could be a choice, and I like you man, I don't want that to have been a choice you've made.

[@TeachingTech]

It's a mighty car mods shirt. I honestly have no idea what you're referring to.

[@jasoneverett8491]

@@TeachingTech Great, that's a relief, and thank you for the reply! I would not worry about it if you haven't run into any issues with it, but it doesn't hurt just to be aware that 88 is used as fascist calling card by several groups. With H being the eighth letter of the alphabet and their particular idol having the initials HH. Thank you for not even knowing that, keep being awesome man!

[@Iisakki3000]

For someone who's not an engineer, you sure do quite a bit of engineering 😁

[@MidnightMaker]

I used a 4 bar mechanism for a semester project to make ornithopter wings flap.

[@carnsoaks1]

If you place a small nubbin on the IN label, you'll get the torque needed to power your "action". Rather than needing to push the bar to complete a cycle or change direction.

[@maxmustermann2596]

You could have mentioned that the lever is actually changing with the angle, isn't it? The last few degrees at 9:04 didn't really change the output, but I bet they had massive torque. So you can not only change the lever, but you can design it in a way, that you have torque where needed and speed where not.

[@mikewhite2991]

I was wondering if your going to speak out about the unreasonable deleting of the 3d Print General's account?

[@RussellNelson]

1:08 but can the four bar linkage prevent you from having a flat back tyre?

[@abpsd73]

Would a windshield wiper system be considered a 4 bar mechanism?

[@mordecai0815]

The tires on your bycicle tell that your second channel is not about cycling :)

[@Nick-qz8do]

Am I the only one that thinks the way you speak resembles Korg from Thor 😊

[@tehArcher]

the bicycle was pedalling in reverse :D

[@lankog777]

That poor bike's rear tire in the intro.

[@sergeb7945]

1:08 flat tire 🤨

[@StevenHughes0]

What's going on with that tyre😮

[@Mr.Modeler.]

If you know first robotics team 247 da beats used a 4 bar linkage for n their robot

[@hd-be7di]

7:28 lol

[@maarten2342]

FIRST

[@googleyoutubechannel8554]

Bolts and screwdriver required... boo. At least do thumbscrews