Theory of machines
Also listed as: תורת המכונות
Linkages, cams and gears analysed and then synthesised. The course that makes a mechanism something you can specify rather than something you copy.
- Semester
- Semester A
- Weekly hours
- 4h
- Counts as
- Core: systems
- Interest areas
- Mechanical design · Mechatronics and robotics
Comes after
- Rigid body dynamics
- Mechanics of solids 1
Opens up
- 0542-4621Introduction to robotics
- Advanced mechanical systems design
What it covers
Kinematic analysis
- Mechanisms and kinematic pairs, mobility by Kutzbach and Grübler
- Grashof's law and kinematic inversions
- Position, velocity and acceleration of linkages: graphical polygons, instant centres, loop-closure
- Coriolis component and where students lose marks on it
- Four-bar and slider-crank, quick-return mechanisms, transmission angle
Synthesis, cams and gears
- Two- and three-position synthesis, function, path and motion generation
- Coupler curves, Chebyshev spacing
- Cams: displacement diagrams, SVAJ, cycloidal and harmonic follower motion, pressure angle, undercutting
- Gears: involute geometry, interference, contact ratio
- Gear trains: simple, compound, epicyclic, and their ratios
Forces and balancing
- Static and dynamic force analysis
- Flywheels and speed fluctuation
- Balancing of rotating and reciprocating masses
- Gyroscopic effects, friction in bearings, clutches, brakes and belts
Results worth carrying out
Kutzbach mobility
Grashof condition
Balancing a rotor
Figures worth knowing
- Four-bar and slider-crank diagrams
- Velocity and acceleration polygons
- Cam SVAJ diagrams
- Involute gear-tooth geometry
- Epicyclic train schematics
Quick answers
When is Theory of machines taught?
Theory of machines (0542-4420) is taught in Semester A (fall), 4 weekly hours. It counts toward “Core: systems” in the Tel Aviv University Mechanical Engineering elective requirements.
What do I need before 0542-4420?
Before Theory of machines you need: Rigid body dynamics, Mechanics of solids 1.
What software is used in Theory of machines?
Theory of machines is normally taught with MATLAB, SolidWorks Motion, MSC ADAMS.
Which jobs does Theory of machines prepare you for?
Theory of machines is part of the preparation for these roles: Mechanical design engineer.
Which interest areas include Theory of machines?
Theory of machines sits in these interest areas: Mechanical design, Mechatronics and robotics.
Related courses
- 0542-3112Not fixed · 2h
Applied project in mechanical engineering
פרויקט יישומי בהנדסת מכונות
An industry-mentored project rather than a research one. Less thesis value, and it converts into an internship or a first job at the host company more often than anything else in the catalogue.
Mechanical designMechatronics and robotics - 0542-4011Semester A · 3h
Research project for honours students 1
פרויקט מחקר למצטיינים 1
The honours research project, and the most direct on-ramp to a thesis in the catalogue. You pick a supervisor, produce results, and frequently continue the same problem into a masters.
Structures and computational mechanicsMechatronics and roboticsMiniaturised systems and materialsAeronautics and spaceEnvironment and energyFlow and thermal designMechanical design - 0542-4012Semester B · 3h
Research project for honours students 2
פרויקט מחקר למצטיינים 2
The continuation of the honours project, where the results get deep enough to defend. Under the direct track this is already the first part of the masters thesis.
Structures and computational mechanicsMechatronics and roboticsMiniaturised systems and materialsAeronautics and spaceEnvironment and energyFlow and thermal designMechanical design - 0542-4422Semester A · 4h
Engineering design: introduction and methods
תכן הנדסי: מבוא ושיטות
Design as a method rather than as taste. Requirements, concept generation, selection matrices, embodiment, and enough optimisation to justify the linear algebra prerequisite.
Mechanical design
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The topic outlines are not official syllabi. The university publishes a catalogue blurb per course, not lecture-by-lecture material, so each outline describes what a course of that name, at those hours, with those prerequisites teaches at engineering schools generally, cross-checked against the standard textbook for the subject. Treat it as an informed map, not as a transcript of the lectures.