Synthesis of indexing mechanisms with non-circular gears

Indexing mechanism is one of the most important mechanisms in automated machineries. Various kinds of indexing mechanisms have found existence in application, including cam indexing mechanism, sheaves mechanism, intermittent gear mechanism and so on. This paper, using planetary non-circular gear train, synthesizes still another special kind of indexing mechanism, covering three gear trains with different gear types. Following a systematic introduction of the indexing motion laws and three types of non circular planetary gear trains, the gear ratios and the pitch surfaces of non-circular gear are synthetized. Subsequently, with computerized design and simulation of three examples illustrated, this paper shows the applicability of these mechanisms. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.