General mechanical engineering - Development of kinematics

We have divided this study into three parts to make it easy to use on several levels.

Plane kinematics is of considerable technical importance. It is used directly in the theory of parallel-axis gears, cams and rolling curves, or various mechanisms. It is, for example, behind the study of the basic model of vehicle dynamics.

Spatial kinematics has undergone significant development, because for many practical questions, reduction to plane-on-plane motion was not an option. Mathematically, the complexity is much greater, as problems involving left curves, surfaces and envelopes have to be tackled.

Moreover, in this field, easily usable sources are scarce, which has necessitated a number of preliminary developments. Spatial kinematics is only considered here as a preparation for certain questions of applied kinematics.

Applied kinematics has not received exhaustive treatment. This was not the place for a general treatise. Instead, we have essentially shown how general methods can be applied more concretely.

Numerous applications of these methods can be found in the specialized sections of the Mechanical Engineering treatise.