Book Review

Ingenious Mechanisms for Designers and Inventors, Four Volume Set
author - Franklin D. Jones
Industrial Press Incorporated - ©1930 - 1967

Reader Level

Amazon Rating

Synopsis In today's mechatronics world of microprocessors and servo motors, this set of design example books begs the question "can a book published 75 years ago still be relevant to modern design?" The answer is a resounding YES! When the designs in this set of books were done, motors were expensive and bulky. Usually a product had only a single motor, and all motion and control was derived from that motor using mechanical linkages, cams etc... Mechanical designers really did need to be ingenious to mechanically convert constant symmetrical cyclic motion into discontinuous cyclic, and even linear motion profiles In today's design (perhaps outside of automobile and heavy machinery), rarely do you see much mechanical linkages. Motion control is usually done directly with cheap servo motors, and microprocessor control. Even so, if the "end" movement of the drive needs to deliver a specialized motion profile - this set of books most likely has a solution already worked out for you. If you are doing electromechanical design, especially automation applications - why reinvent the wheel? What you need is probably in the set somewhere and will save you hours of design time and prototyping.

Area of Interest
Automation, Mechanical and Mechatronic Design

Audience
This book is a very detailed compilation of mechanical solutions to motion problems. This book is geared towards professionals, students and serious designers. If you are of that ilk - (as most of you readers of Mechatronics Designer are!) it is just plain fascinating reading.

The designs are derived from patent applications, so while the descriptive text can be quite dense, it is very detailed and accurate. Automation, mechatronic and mechanical designers will find clever solutions to special motion design problems.

In addition, if you are doing patent work, this is an invaluable tool for prior art research - you will be amazed at how much we "think" is new already existed years ago - although in a purely mechanical form.

Topics
There are four volumes to the set.

All aspects of mechanical motion and control, as well as material movement and conveyance in automated machinery are covered.

Organization
The book set has a bit unusual organization, each book is organized as a set of the same basic topics, so any one of the set can stand alone. Published in series over a period of 37 years, each additional volume in the series covers additional applications in the basic set of topics as well as pertinent new material.

It is an excellent overview of state of the art design in mechanical design over a 40 year period.

The basic topic set is as follows.

1. Cam Applications and Special Cam Design
2. Intermittent Motion from Cams and Gears
3. Intermittent Motion from Ratchet and Geneva Mechanisms
4. Overload, Tripping, and Stop Mechanisms
5. Locking, Clamping, and Locating Devices
6. Reversing Mechanisms of Special Design
7. Reciprocating Motions Derived from Cans, Gears, and Levers
8. Crank actuated Reciprocating Mechanisms
9. Variable Stroke Reciprocating Mechanisms
10. Mechanisms Which Provide Oscillating Motion
11. Mechanisms Providing Combined Rotary and Linear Motions
12. Speed Changing Mechanisms
13. Speed regulating Mechanisms
14. Feed Regulating, Shifting, and Stopping Mechanisms
15. Automatic Work Feeding and Transfer Mechanisms
16. Feeding and Ejecting Mechanisms for Power Presses
17. Hopper and Hopper Selector Mechanisms for Automatic Machines
18. Clutch and Disconnecting Devices

There is no question that automation of labor intensive jobs such as agriculture will require automation on a massive scale. These machines will not be "Robbie - Robots," but specialized machinery optimized to particular tasks.

It is both ironic and satisfying that the key to the future for these new designs is clearly outlined in past. This set of books is a worthwhile contribution to that effort.

Where to buy
You can purchase this book online from amazon.com

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