A simple approach in balancing the slider-crank mechanisms applied to new systems.

This study presents a simple method for balancing a slider-crank mechanism which is applied to a new system. A counterweight is designed and located on the crank link to solve the vibration of slider-crank mechanism. The calculation of counterweight design is proposed to balance the single and double slider-crank mechanisms which are exploited to develop the fast scanning module of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) system. Based on the ultrasound characteristics, SAM system can provide the internal image with high resolution up to several tens of micrometers. Following that, the counterweight is optimized to minimize the shaking force acting on the ground frame, resulting in vibration reduction of the SAM system. The equations of shaking force are defined, which are simulated to find out the shape and size of suitable counterweight. Based on the simulation results, counterweights were designed and fabricated, which were used for single and double slider-crank mechanisms of two SAM systems. By interpreting the scanning images provided by SAM systems, the dimensions of specimen are measured at minimum and maximum values that are used to validate the counterweight calculation. Finally, the design process flowchart of counterweight is proposed for balancing slider-crank mechanism, which can be used to extend the mechanism application in many fields.