Reuleaux Straight-line Mechanism
- Title:
- Reuleaux Straight-line Mechanism
- Title (German):
- Dreieckslenker von Reuleaux
- Collection:
- Reuleaux Kinematic Mechanisms Collection
- Set:
- S. Straight-line Mechanisms
- Designer:
- Reuleaux, F. (Franz), 1829-1905
- Manufacturer:
- Gustav Voigt Werkstatt
- Date:
- 1882
- Country:
- Germany
- Voigt Catalog Model:
- S8
- File Name:
- S08.jpg
- Work Type:
- Mechanical model
- Materials/Techniques:
- cast iron and brass on wood pedestal
- Subject:
- straight-line linkage
Kinematics of Machinery - Measurement:
- 201 x 90 (millimeters, width x depth)
210 x 122 x 301 (millimeters, width x depth x height) - Description:
- In the late 18th century, James Watt made four key improvements to the steam engine, one of which was a linkage mechanism that created an approximate straight line motion to move the steam engine piston. For more than 80 years, engineers and mathematicians invented numerous mechanisms to approximately draw straight lines. The design in model S-8 is by Franz Reuleaux and is based on a double slider mechanism for which the two prismatic guides are not at right angles. There are four essential links in this mechanism consisting of two sliders, one coupler link that traces the curve, and the stationary link containing the two guides. However, it was a French engineer named Peaucellier who in 1864 discovered an exact straight-line device that required eight links. (See Model S-35) [Francis Moon 2004-11-15]
The 220 models in Cornell University’s Reuleaux Collection were built in the late 19th century to demonstrate the elements of machine motion, as theorized by the German engineer Franz Reuleaux. The University acquired the models in 1882 for use in teaching and research. The Reuleaux models are classified according to the alphanumeric schema employed in the catalog of the manufacturer, Gustav Voigt. The letter in a model's ID (e.g., B14 or S35) refers to a class of mechanism; the number is a specific instance of the class. This classification scheme is a simplified version of the taxonomy of machine elements elaborated in Reuleaux's work. - Repository:
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- Photography credit: Jon Reis (www.jonreis.com). Jon Reis Photography grants Cornell University Libraries and the Cornell College of Engineering the rights to display copyrighted images of the Reuleux collection of kinetic machines on the Cornell University and National Science Digital Library web sites and for unlimited use in Cornell University Library publications for education purposes only. Rights for all other uses, including but not limited to, editorial, commercial, advertising, web use and display by third parties not affiliated with Cornell University are reserved by the photographer. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. For questions about this item or other items please contact the Physical Sciences Librarians at pslref@cornell.edu.