EXPERIMENT – 1

1.1 Objective:
To draw the displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs of slider-crank mechanism

1.2 Apparatus:
Slider-crank mechanism apparatus

1.3 Related Theory

A slider-crank mechanism is a mechanical arrangement used to interconvert rotary to linear motion. The sliding body is
displaced along the slotted link, connected to the crankshaft by means of the connecting rod and the crank. The connecting
rod is linked with the sliding body by the means of a wrist pin (called gudgeon pin in the case of piston-cylinder assembly)
and with the crank by the means of a crankpin.

The bearings: crankpin, wrist-pin and crankshaft bearing permit the connected members to rotate freely. When the sliding
body is displaced linearly, the connecting rod is forced to move. Due to kinematic restraints and degrees of freedom, the
connecting rod being rigid rotates instead of being displaced and in turn induces a rotation in the crank. The crank rotates
with the axis of rotation passing through the crankshaft and the crankpin traces a circular path in motion. The positions
where the sliding body changes direction are known as dead centers (Inner and Outer Dead Centres, abbreviated as IDC and
ODC respectively.)

Applications
1. Internal Combustion Engines – piston-cylinder assembly. Combustion within the cylinder induces linear motion in
the piston. As the piston reciprocates the mechanism converts the linear motion into the rotary motion of the
crankshaft.

2. Reciprocating compressors for pressurizing gases – used in oil refineries, gas pipelines, chemical, natural gas
processing and refrigeration plants. Gases are compressed by the a piston, driven by a crankshaft powered through
external means.

3. Power reciprocating pumps – Typical examples include the hand pump and the windmill water pump. In industry,
slider-crank mechanism is used to power radial-piston pumps used in machine tools, hydraulic suspension and
automatic sector, plastic and powder injection molding.
1.4 Procedure
The slider-crank mechanism apparatus used is shown. The apparatus consists of a rotating cr ank on a calibrated radial scale,
connected by a mechanical linkage to a slider. The linear displacement is noted on a scale, indicated by the pointer.

Turn the crank at regular increments and note the angle of rotation, θ. For each rotation, note the change in displacement of
the pointer on the linear scale, x mm.

Plot a graph of displacement against rotation and graphically differentiate subsequently to attain the graphs of velocity and
acceleration.
1.5 Observations and Calculations

θ/° x / mm θ/° x / mm θ/° x / mm

0 130 260
10 140 270
20 150 280
30 160 290
40 170 300
50 180 310
60 190 320
70 200 330
80 210 340
90 220 350
100 230 360
110 240
120 250

Specimen Calculations

Comments

Name: _____________________________

Date:_______________________________ Teacher’s Signature

Registration No.:_____________________
1.6 Graphs
SCALE:
1. Graph of displacement x, against angle of rotation, θ

Teacher’s Signature
2. Graph of velocity v, against angle of rotation, θ SCALE:

Teacher’s Signature
3. Graph of acceleration a, against angle of rotation, θ SCALE:

Teacher’s Signature