Publication

Abstract : A thorough understanding of the forces acting on various components of a machine or mechanism is vital for designing them. Hence force analysis is an important part in the courses related to Theory of Machines and Mechanisms. Force analysis of mechanisms in static equilibrium can be carried out by both analytical and graphical methods. The latter employs scaled free body diagrams (FBD) and force vector polygons in the determination of unknown forces. This method is emphasized in the curriculum of undergraduate students. However, this approach suffers from disadvantages related to time and effort. This is where a computer software as an additional learning tool for graphical approach helps. In this paper, Static Force Analysis (SFA) module, developed as a part of MechAnalyzer is presented. SFA module is helpful in the static force analysis of various planar mechanisms preloaded in it and draws the free body diagrams and force polygons of the links