This paper presents a feasible method for improvements to the adjustable knock-out cam-follower mechanism of a bolt former. On the basis of the results of analysing an existing knock-out mechanism of a bolt former, the design requirements for a new mechanism are developed. In order to meet some specific requirements and that the displacement, velocity, and acceleration curves of the follower motion are continuous, the new cam profile consists of two circular arcs and a fifth-degree or sixth-degree polynomial segment. For the cam profile with a sixth-degree polynomial segment, besides the six specified boundary conditions, a variable condition is used as a design variable for the optimization design. The maximum strike velocity between the knock-out screw and knock-out pin for all knock-out strokes is minimized by using the golden section method. The kinematic characteristics of the new knock-out camfollower mechanism synthesized are better than those of the existing mechanism. The method presented is illustrated by an example.

In this study, we developed a computer-aided product design method for goblet styling design based on two methods. The first was parametric design derived from an adjustable cam mechanism, which was used for shape generation, and the second was Kansei engineering, which was used for shape evaluation. In the shape generation method, motion curves from an adjustable cam were used. Designers can collect feature point data from existing products to define the boundary conditions of adjustable cam motion equations; furthermore, adjustable motion curves allow parametric design. Through adjusting a single parameter, motion curves were changed to be used as projective curves for the styling design of goblets. Then, a coordinate transformation method was applied to support the three-dimensional styling design of goblets. In the shape evaluation method, some goblet stylings were regularly selected to determine adjective degrees by production design experts. Adjective degrees for goblets that had not been selected were determined through interpolation. Market demand was defined as the preference of customers for specific adjective degrees for goblets.

This article presents a new adjustable knock-out mechanism of a bolt former with a Roberts linkage and an adjustable crank-rocker linkage. The design requirements of the new mechanism are based on the analysis of an existing adjustable knock-out mechanism. The new adjustable knock-out mechanism mainly consisting of a Roberts linkage, and an adjustable crank-rocker linkage is proposed to meet the specified requirements. The path of the knock-out screw is approximately a straight line and the method presented is illustrated by an example.