scope:

Introduction

Synchromechanisms are in use wherever machine parts shall move synchronously to each other or with constant velocity during a certain phase of their mo¬ tion. In the field of processing and manufacturing machinery such synchromechanisms are applied in manifold ways. Examples are crank mechanisms for gen¬ erating constant velocity during the stroke of deepdrawing power presses, changier-mechanisms for inserting threads or stripes in textile machines, crankcam mechanisms in labeling machines or the shaping drive [1].

Additionally synchromechanisms can also be used for placing any goods on conveyors or for assembly or other handling Operations to be carried out at some object during transportation. This, for example, refers to workpieces moving on a belt conveyor with con¬ stant velocity through a machining Station while they have to undergo a machining Operation by some tool. By means of the synchromechanism the tool is to be guided in such a way, that its velocity equals the velocity of the conveyor belt, i.e. it has to be moved synchronously to the conveyor belt.

Especially for such tasks multi-axle handling devices are in frequent use, because additionally to the mo¬ tion necessary for the machining process the trans¬ portation of the workpiece has to be fulfilled too. Here in some cases an essentially simpler and hence less costly alternative can be found by using a syn¬ chromechanism.

Very different types of mechanisms can be applied as synchromechanisms. Apart from simple mechanisms with varying transfer ratio like cam mechanisms and four- or more-bar linkages, combined mechanisms, such as crank-cam mechanisms, gear-crank mecha¬ nisms or band-crank mechanisms are in use too.