Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition [Hardcover]

Neil Sclater (Author), Nicholas Chironis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071467610 | ISBN-13: 978-0071467612 | Publication Date: December 11, 2006 | Edition: 4

Over 2000 drawings make this sourcebook a gold mine of information for learning and innovating in mechanical design

The fourth edition of this unique engineering reference book covers the past, present, and future of mechanisms and mechanical devices. Among the thousands of proven mechanisms illustrated and described are many suitable for recycling into new mechanical, electromechanical, or mechatronic products and systems. Overviews of robotics, rapid prototyping, MEMS, and nanotechnology will get you up-to-speed on these cutting-edge technologies. Easy-to-read tutorial chapters on the basics of mechanisms and motion control will introduce those subjects to you or refresh your knowledge of them.

• Comprehensive index to speed your search for topics of interest
• Glossaries of terms for gears, cams, mechanisms, and robotics
• New industrial robot specifications and applications
• Mobile robots for exploration, scientific research, and defense

INSIDE Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 4th Edition

Basics of Mechanisms • Motion Control Systems • Industrial Robots • Mobile Robots • Drives and Mechanisms That Include Linkages, Gears, Cams, Genevas, and Ratchets • Clutches and Brakes • Devices That Latch, Fasten, and Clamp • Chains, Belts, Springs, and Screws • Shaft Couplings and Connections • Machines That Perform Specific Motions or Package, Convey, Handle, or Assure Safety • Systems for Torque, Speed, Tension, and Limit Control • Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Electric, and Electronic Instruments and Controls • Computer-Aided Design Concepts • Rapid Prototyping • New Directions in Mechanical Engineering

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Over 2000 Drawings Make This Trusted Guide a Gold Mine of Information for Learning and Innovation in Mechanical Design

The fourth edition of this invention-inspiring engineering resource covers the past, present, and future of mechanisms and mechanical devices. You'll find drawings and descriptions of more than 2000 components that have proven themselves over time and can be incorporated into the very latest mechanical, electromechanical, and mechatronic products and systems. Overviews of robotics, rapid prototyping, MEMS, and nanotechnology, along with tutorial chapters on the basics of mechanisms and motion control, will bring you up-to-speed quickly on these cutting-edge topics.

• Comprehensive index to speed your search for topics of interest
• Glossaries of terms for gears, cams, mechanisms, and robotics
• New industrial robot specifications and applications
• Coverage of mobile robots for exploration, scientific research, and defense

INSIDE Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition:
* Basics of Mechanisms * Motion Control Systems * Industrial Robots * Mobile Robots * Drives and Mechanisms That Include Linkages, Gears, Cams, Genevas, and Ratchets * Clutches and Brakes * Devices That Latch, Fasten, and Clamp * Chains, Belts, Springs, and Screws * Shaft Couplings and Connections * Machines That Perform Specific Motions or Package, Convey, Handle, or Assure Safety * Systems for Torque, Speed, Tension, and Limit Control * Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Electric, and Electronic Instruments and Controls * Computer-Aided Design Concepts * Rapid Prototyping * New Directions in Mechanical Engineering

About the Author

Neil Sclater switched his career from engineering in the military/aerospace industry to writing and editing in the field of electromechanical and electronic technology. After years as a staff editor for engineering magazines, he set up his own consulting firm in technical communications. While serving a varied list of industrial clients over a 25-year period, he contributed hundreds of articles to various engineering publications. Mr. Sclater has degrees from Brown University and Northeastern University. He has authored or co-authored eleven McGraw-Hill Professional books, including two earlier editions of this book. The late Nicholas P. Chironis was a consulting engineer and mechanical design editor for Product Engineering magazine and an editor for other McGraw-Hill technical magazines. Early in his career he was a mechanical engineer for IBM, Merganthaler Linotype, and other companies, as well as a product design instructor at the Cooper Union School of Engineering. Mr. Chironis earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Polytechnic University, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 4 edition (December 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071467610
• ISBN-13: 978-0071467612
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Condensed, Well Categorized Introduction to a large collection of mechanical devices., October 24, 2009

By 

J. Holdahl "GreenShoes" (South Dakota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

After buying 4 books on mechanical movements including a 4 volume set (which I strongly don't recommend), I find myself coming back to this one time and again. It's information is well categorized and indexed. Some elements have more detail than others and a fair number of them have some useful formula for rudimentary calculations.

Being an electrical engineer by trade with a strong mechanical background, I have found this book extremely useful for comparing my options for a number of things from latches to linkages. For more detail I have only seldom had to resort to other sources. It is now, therefore, in privileged position in my library at work.

You may not get pictures from all the angles you want but you will get good enough pictures to extrapolate the information you need to evaluate options. That is where this book shines. You can quickly review time proven options available. A section on strengths and weaknesses within categories would be a helpful addition to this already dense resource.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for Junior Engineer, March 2, 2008

By 

Ahmed I. Dhorat "aid786" (South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

The book introduces fundamental principles and goes on to illustrate ingenious solutions. The sourcbook successfully eliminates the need to re-invent the wheel during every project. I look forward to thoroughly understanding the text and implementing the solutions presented.

Highly recommended for the inquisitive mind, the junior design engingeer and any person with an interest in how things work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference and Inspirational Book, February 12, 2010

By 

Ivan Dela Hoya (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

I was introduced to this book by a professor in grad school, and have used it ever since. In my collection of a dozen or so mechanism books, this is the one I reach for first. The book covers more or less every conceivable mechanism. Other books may have more mechanisms, but they tend to be duplicates or variations on the same design. This book presents each mechanism with a beautiful hand drawing, which clearly conveys the operating principles. I use this book for inspiration every time I start a project where a mechanism or linkage may be needed. Highly recommended to all mechanical engineers and makers.