Mechanisms Plus

CP3085
Curriculum Cover for Mechanisms Plus (CP3085)

Mechanisms Plus Curriculum provides structured learning materials to support the Mechanisms Plus kit. Designed as an extension of the Fundamental Mechanisms Kit (FM0759), this curriculum helps students explore mechanical systems in greater detail through hands-on investigation of pivots, degrees of freedom, motion conversion, quick-return mechanisms, Geneva mechanisms, ratchets, and bar linkages.

The curriculum is available in English, Spanish, and French, making it suitable for a wide range of engineering education programs. No prior knowledge is required to meet the learning outcomes, allowing students to build their understanding progressively through guided practical activities.

Mechanisms Plus Curriculum Overview

Mechanisms Plus adds a further level of learning to the Fundamental Mechanisms system by helping students understand how mechanical systems create specific motion. Learners investigate how pivots and degrees of freedom influence movement, how rotary motion can be converted into linear motion, and how specialized mechanisms such as Geneva wheels and ratchets operate in real-world applications.

  • Designed as an addition to the Fundamental Mechanisms Kit (FM0759)
  • Available in English, Spanish, and French
  • No prior knowledge required
  • Supports hands-on learning with practical mechanism investigations
  • Covers pivots, degrees of freedom, rotary-to-linear motion, quick return mechanisms, Geneva mechanisms, ratchets, and bar linkages

Learning Objectives

The Mechanisms Plus curriculum is organized around three key learning areas: Additional Mechanisms, Mechanisms, and Bar Linkages. Each section helps students develop a practical understanding of how mechanical components and linkage systems are used to create controlled motion.

Students investigate specialized mechanisms that create unique forms of rotary motion.

  • Understand the conversion of motion using Geneva mechanisms
  • Explore ratchet mechanisms and one-way motion
  • Analyze how specialized mechanisms are used to control movement in practical systems

Students explore how common engineering mechanisms convert motion and support practical machine operation.

  • Understand the conversion of rotary motion into linear motion
  • Investigate the application of quick return mechanisms
  • Explore where mechanisms are used in real-world engineering applications

Students examine how bar linkage systems use pivots and degrees of freedom to produce specific motion.

  • Understand how mechanisms are constructed
  • Explore how pivots affect motion
  • Investigate how degrees of freedom are used to create controlled movement
  • Analyze how linkage geometry influences motion paths

Designed for Practical Engineering Learning

The Mechanisms Plus curriculum helps students connect mechanical engineering theory with practical experimentation. By working through guided activities, students can observe how mechanisms move, compare different linkage designs, and better understand how motion is created, controlled, and applied in real engineering systems.

This curriculum is ideal for mechanical engineering, manufacturing, design technology, and technical education programs that want to expand hands-on learning beyond introductory mechanisms concepts.