Customer Reviews

Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, Fourth Edition

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Other reviews comment very adequately about the general usefulness and content of this book, so I won't add anything to the positive points except my agreement. I'm new to Kindle. In reviews of other works, there are complaints about the quality of graphics. I did not see graphics quality explicitly addressed in the reviews that I audited of this book. A book such as this one is pointless, to me as a mechanical engineer, without adequate graphics. Fortunately, the graphics are as good as I could possibly have expected. Clearly, competent effort (or exceptional serendipity) went into formatting pages for good visual presentation in the Kindle environment.

Pretty good compilation of mechanisms ranging from simple to complex. Good source of inspiration. Was surprised to not find any push-push mechanisms listed.

Excellent book for reference, has stood the test of time.

Condition good for its age, shipping was prompt, packaging was very good. Thanks!