MEN430 · Theory of Machines
Four-Bar Linkage Simulator
Developed by Najib Metni, PhD
Link Lengths
Type any length in mm — the field isn't capped, and the slider range stretches to fit whatever you enter.
Ground Pivots
O₂ is fixed at the origin (0, 0).
Playback
Joint Types
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Time, θ₂ (and θ₃/θ₄ or d₄), each joint's rotational speed, and any trace points' coordinates and linear speed — swept across the full feasible range at the current Speed setting.
Mechanism
Grashof Condition
—
| Role | Link | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest (S) | — | — |
| Longest (L) | — | — |
| Other (P) | — | — |
| Other (Q) | — | — |
Stop / Toggle Positions
Quick-Return Motion
Angle vs θ₂
Swept across the full feasible range of θ₂ — this is geometry, not the live animation.
Distance vs θ₂
Same sweep — the prismatic joint's position, which doesn't share the angle graph's 0-360° axis.
Velocity Analysis
Live values at the current θ₂, driven by the crank's current angular velocity ω₂.
Angular Velocity vs θ₂
Swept at a constant ω₂ (the Speed setting) across the full feasible range of θ₂ — this is geometry, not the live animation.
Linear Velocity vs θ₂
Same sweep — speed of joint A (constant, dashed), joint B (solid), and any enabled trace points.