Today I am introducing “Four bar mechanism made of paper”

The four-bar mechanism is very useful in the design of mechanical components. The best way to understand four-bar mechanisms is to build it by yourself.  Here, I am introducing how to make a four-bar mechanism with only a paper, screws and nuts. It is very easy to follow.

If you want to know the theories of four-bar mechanisms, see the wiki. Here

1. What you need to prepare

One sheet of paper, four screws and nuts, and a nail (or any sharp one)

2. Procedure

1.   Prepare a sheet of paper
2.  Tear the paper like this
3.   Fold two times
4.  Write numbers like the picture
5.  Make holes
6.  Now you should have four bars with eight holes
7.  Connect bars. Here the sequence is very important. If you do not follow this sequence the linkage will not rotate because interference with other linkages.
8.  Connect all
9.  Hold (4) and rotate (1)

This is the result.

This is a Grashof mechanism.

So far, I have introduced how to build a four-bar mechanism made of paper. I hope that this post helps your projects. If you have any question, please leave a reply.