| I built this demonstration model following on from a line of
correspondence on the ”spanners• internet mailing list. Meccano
enthusiast Edmundo Veiga in Brazil visited a web site called Puzzling
Gears, an illustration from which is shown below. This lead to the
eventual construction of my model. Part of the correspondence is
produced below. The mechanism is fascinating to watch. I have altered
the original IsoMec version (see illustration) to show both vertical
and horizontal movements but have used the same coupling mechanism. I
believe the mechanism is used in offset litho printing machines to move
the printing rollers away from the printing plates whilst the machine
continues to run.
Subject:Schmidt Coupling Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 16:21:02 +1000 From:•Graham Jost • Dear Spanners, In the message below, Edmundo drew our attention to some very interesting creations. One of the mechanisms, the Schmidt Coupling, has been beautifully IsoMec-ed‘ for Meccano construction, the details being published in the July 1998 issue of the Johannesburg Meccano Hobbyists Newsletter. The accompanying text says, with little else: ”We put it together and it works• !! This type of coupling would be used to transmit a drive between parallel, but offset, shafts. It is, in fact, a link version of the double slider coupling, but would be able to cope with a much greater offset, particularly under load. Well, having this perfect IsoMec drawing in front of me, I put
it together, concocted a suitable framework to hold the input and
output shafts - offset by about an inch and a half - then away we went
....
what a beauty! I must say this mechanism is a delight - its motion is a
treat to behold, it operates PS The three-link mechanism represents the necessary and sufficient condition here. (A two-link version simply would not work). It‘s interesting to see what happens when the offset is reduced to zero! I have now added a four-link version in series, based on 2 1/2• square plates, just for variety. Graham Jost, Melbourne, Australia
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