Program Fourbar - Program Fivebar - Program Sixbar - Program Slider

Program FOURBAR by R. L. Norton

This program solves the kinematic and dynamic equations for any fourbar linkage. The user needs only to input the four link lengths and the location of one coupler point to calculate all kinematic parameters for any of one input link position with given angular velocity and acceleration, constant angular velocity of the input link, or constant acceleration of the input link. A cam function can also be imported from DYNACAM to drive the fourbar linkage with controlled velocity and acceleration. 

The linkage will then be drawn and animated and its coupler curve shown. If the user also supplies mass property data for each link and the values of any external forces or torques applied to the links, the program will calculate the kinetostatic forces and torques that result. Kinematic and dynamic parameters can be plotted as either cartesian or polar plots, and all data may be printed to the screen, a printer, or a disk file that is suitable for import to a spreadsheet program.

The linkage can be force balanced and the size and location of the necessary balance weights calculated. Data necessary to the sizing of a flywheel for any selected coefficient of fluctuation are calculated. The program will also do two- or three-position synthesis to determine the link lengths needed to cause the coupler to pass through the selected positions. The locations of the fixed pivots for the synthesized linkage also can be specified if desired.

System Requirements

• Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista
• Pentium or better
• 32 meg minimum, better with 64M or more