Design, Fabrication, and Control of a Modern Mechanical Integrator

A mechanical integrator is a device designed for numerical integration, transforming physical motion into computational output and commonly employed in fields such as engineering, cartography, and physics. Historically, devices like the planimeter exemplified the innovative use of mechanical integrators for calculating definite integrals and measuring areas. However, with the advent of digital technologies, traditional mechanical integrators have encountered limitations, including limited adaptability, standalone operation, and lack of integration with modern computational platforms. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a modern reinterpretation of the mechanical integrator. The proposed design integrates a roller-disk mechanism for performing integral computations, a motorized drive system for motion control, and an Arduino-based control unit to enable real-time feedback and adaptability. The design process was developed using SolidWorks, with dynamic simulations performed in ADAMS to validate system functionality prior to fabrication. The findings confirm the viability of analog computation for specific computational tasks and highlight opportunities for integrating mechanical systems into modern hybrid frameworks. These advancements provide practical solutions for specialized industrial and educational applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mechanical Integrator ، Analog Computation ، Controls ، Motion Analysis