Each of the four volumes of Ingenious Mechanisms is an independent treatise on the subject of mechanisms. The books are similar in size and general character, but the contents are different. The mechanisms described are grouped into chapters according to general types. Together with the complete index, this arrangement by function makes it easy to find the class of movement desired, and enables you to compare mechanisms which are similar in purpose but different in design. The descriptions and illustrations are confined to the important and fundamental elements, so that time is not wasted reading a lot of useless or irrelevant detail. Readers are told plainly and briefly what each mechanism consists of, how it operates, and the features which make it of special interest. The particular mechanisms have been selected because they have stood the test of actual practice. Among the mechanisms described and illustrated by working diagrams are: cam applications and special cam designs; intermittent motions from gears and cams; interlocking devices; valve diagrams; reversing mechanisms of special design; tripping or stop mechanisms; drives of crank type for reciprocating driven members; feeding mechanisms and auxiliary devices; feeding and ejecting mechanisms; and many, many more.
This set of book is essential reading for all engineers - so many ideas are not new !!
Very comprehensive, detailed set!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
These books are very comprehensive. There are lots of multi-component mechanisms described in great detail for mechanically inclined people. The machines depicted are of an historical nature. I don't see this as a shortcoming, however. Mechanisms of the sort found in these volumes were state-of-the-art at one time. There were no electronic sensors and computer controls at the turn of the last century. Everything had to work -- and had to work mechanically. The mechanisms explained in these volumes are a testament to a certain real-world ingenuity that most of us can't comprehend until we read books like these.
Cool mechanical contraptions
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
When the UPS man delivered this I was shocked at how huge it is! Four big volumes packed with the most incredible and interesting mechanisms in the world. I have read the first book from cover to cover and I have thumbed through the rest. I love this kind of stuff so these are the perfect books for me. If you are also into cool mechanical contraptions, you will also love these books!
Invaluable Resource for Beginners and Experts
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This set of 4 volumes are chock-full of information on various mechanical devices, and how they work. The text explains how each device works, along with illustrations that point out what each part does in the mechanism. Since the all of the mechanisms are from real-world applications, the designs are proven. The organization of the 4 volumes are similar, for example: Cams & Special Cam Designs/Intermittent Motions.../Tripping or Stopping Mechanisms/Feeding Mechanisms/Etc. Also, the fact that the text is broken into 4 volumes, Its very convienient to browse through. I recommend this set to the beginner, up to the advanced application engineer, because most people don't have the time to re-invent the wheel.
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