Machines and Mechanisms: Applied Kinematic Analysis [Hardcover]

David Myszka (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0135979153 | ISBN-13: 978-0135979150 | Publication Date: July 1, 1998 | Edition: United States ed

This work aims to bridge the gap between a theoretical study of kinematics and the application of practical mechanisms. It focuses on the application of kinematic theories to practical mechanisms, and develops the skills needed to determine the motion characteristics of a machine toward the goal of optimizing the motion of a machine arrangement.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Myszka responds to the overwhelming need for an introduction to kinematic analysis that uses actual machines and mechanisms. His objective in this book is to provide the techniques necessary to study of the motion of machines while emphasizing the application of kinematic theories to real world machines.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The objective of this book is to provide the techniques necessary to study the motion of machines. A focus is placed on the application of kinematic theories to real-world machinery. It is intended to bridge the gap between a theoretical study of kinematics and the application to practical mechanisms. Students completing a course of study using this book should be able to determine the motion characteristics of a machine. Further, such analysis could be performed on design concepts to optimize the motion of a machine arrangement.

This second edition incorporates much of the feedback received from instructors and students who used the first edition of the book. First, a thorough examination of the accuracy for all equations and Example Problem solutions was performed. Second, solution steps have been added to the Example Problems, highlighting the general solution procedure. Third, the material on mechanism force analysis has been greatly expanded. These and many other modifications were made to more effectively promote the understanding of mechanism analysis.

It is expected that students using this book will have a good background in technical drawing, college algebra, and trigonometry. Also, knowledge of vectors, mechanics, and computer application software, such as spreadsheets, will be useful. However, these concepts are also introduced in the book.

The approach of applying theoretical developments to practical problems is consistent with the philosophy of engineering technology programs. This book is primarily oriented toward mechanical- and manufacturing-related engineering technology programs. It can be used in either associate or baccalaureate degree programs.

Following are some distinctive features of this book: Pictures and sketches of machinery that contain mechanisms are incorporated throughout the text. The focus is on the application of kinematic theories to practical mechanisms. Both graphical techniques and analytical methods are used in the analysis of mechanisms. A student copy of Working Model™ a commercially available dynamic software package, is extensively used in this book. Tutorials and problems that utilize this software are integrated into the book. Suggestions for implementing the graphical techniques on computer-aided design (CAD) systems are included. Every chapter concludes with a few case studies. These cases illustrate a mechanism that is used on industrial equipment and challenges the student to discuss the rationale behind the design and suggest improvements. Both static and dynamic mechanism force analysis methods are introduced. Every major concept is followed by an example problem to illustrate the application of the concept. Every example problem begins with an introduction of a real machine that relies on the mechanism being analyzed. Numerous end-of-chapter problems are consistent with the application approach of the text. Every concept introduced in the chapter has at least one associated practice problem. Most of these problems include the machine that relies on the mechanism being analyzed. Where applicable, end-of-chapter problems are provided that utilize the analytical methods and are best suited for programmable devices (calculators, spreadsheets, math software, etc.) Initially, I developed this textbook after teaching mechanisms for several semesters and noticing that students did not always see the practical applications of the material. To this end, I have grown quite fond of the case study problems and begin each class with one. The students refer to this as the "mechanism of the day." I find this to be an excellent opportunity to focus attention on operating machinery. Additionally, it promotes dialog and creates a learning community in the classroom.

Finally, the purpose of any textbook is to guide the students through a learning experience in an effective manner. I sincerely hope that this book will fulfill this intention. I welcome all suggestions and comments and can be reached at [e-mail]. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank the reviewers of this text for their comments and suggestions: Guenter W. Brunner, Owens Community College; Laura Caldwell, University of Cincinnati; and Robert Tosch, Alpena Community College. Dave Myszka --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 482 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; United States ed edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135979153
• ISBN-13: 978-0135979150
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,494,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing Book, May 6, 2009

By 

Michael C. Reynolds "reynoldm" (Van Buren, AR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Machines and Mechanisms: Applied Kinematic Analysis (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

I just recently taught a class using this book. I did not choose it. I really wanted to like this book, but I have several major problems.

1) Errors. This book has way too many errors. I found at least a dozen, several of them critical.

2) Homework. The homework has too many difficult problems with very messy geometry. I would rather keep the geometry simpler and focus on learning the material, not figuring out some tricky angle.

3) Explaination. Several critical sections are not well layed out and lack clear explaination.

The reason why this book was chosen was that it uses graphical kinematic techniques for dynamic analysis - something that is getting rarer these days.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Long Homeworks., December 31, 2008

By 

H. Patel (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Machines and Mechanisms: Applied Kinematic Analysis (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

The book is not the best book for the job. The book assumes you know your geometry. If you don't know your geometry, then be prepared to spend long hours finding the angles you need to get the problem done. I was lucky to know my geometry, but still had long nights.

STUDY TIP: work in groups, where at least one person is good with geometry. Just about every chapter requires geometry.

Also, some of the answers in the back of the book are wrong. Don't spend useless time trying to get the same answer. If your professor is good, hopefully he'll give you points for your work if you're the wrong one.

Once you get the hang of the problems, it's not hard. Oh and the book does leave out chunks of info, but it assumes you know how to combine equations to solve for what you're looking for.

Someone please tell your teacher to go over problems from the homework similar to the actual homework than copying and pasting the example problems on the board. It doesn't help when you'll be staring at the same textbook examples in the book and your notes when it comes down to the homework.

Buy the solutions.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible, December 12, 2007

By 

R. Hall - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Machines and Mechanisms: Applied Kinematic Analysis (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

One of the worst textbooks I have ever owned. the "step by step" instructions are missing huge gaps, and it reads as if you already know the subject and you just need a "fresher up". I had a teacher teach kinematics by just using this textbook and it was a lot harder than it needed to be.