GENEVA MECHANISM

CONTENTS :
 History & Introduction
 Working (Formulas)
 Merits / Demerits
 Applications
 Final Overview
HISTORY & INTRODUCTION

 The name derived from name of city of Switzerland ,Geneva . The device’s earliest
application is in mechanical watches. The Geneva drive is commonly known as a Maltese
cross mechanism [1]

 It is said that the Geneva mechanism was invented by a Swiss watchmaker to prevent the

overwinding of watch springs . It was also used during Diamond Jewellry , Celebration

of 60th year of Victoria reign [1]


The Geneva drive or Maltese cross is a gear mechanism that translates a continuous
rotation movement into intermittent rotary motion [2]
 TYPES
External Geneva Mechanism

In this type of mechanism, the Geneva cross is connected with cam drive externally which is
most popular and is represented by the device below. The external form is more common
because it can be manufactured in smaller size and can withstand high mechanical stresses. Its
common applications are movie projectors, watches, sampling devices, etc. [3]

Internal Geneva Mechanism

In this type of mechanism, the Geneva cross and cam drive are connected internally in the
closed box. There is bearing only on one side of the axis of internal drive wheel. Also in this type
the drive wheel has to rotate more than 180° in order to complete one step rotation.[3]

Spherical Geneva Mechanism

In this type of mechanism the Geneva cross is in spherical shape and cam drives are connected in
externally, which is extremely rare. [3]

Working & Formulas

 It Has Following Parts

o Driver (shaft pin , crank )

o Base Plate
o Geneva wheel
Below in the diagram , shows a simple format of a Geneva Mechanism. Driver, A carries a pin, P
in a constant circular motion, so that it engages with one of the four (although it could be any
number, usually between 3 and 18) slots in output follower B. Surfaces C and S are important:
surface S engages with the concave profile in between the follower slots, preventing the follower,
B rotating when the pin is not engaged. Surface C, therefore, allows the follower to rotate as the
pin, P engages with the follower, rotating it, in this case, a quarter of a turn [4]

The geometric proportions for a Simple Geneva

mechanism(Geneva gear) can be deduced from the following set of equations, once the radius of
the follower, b has been decided upon [5]

a = Drive crank radius

n = Driven slot quantity
p = drive pin diameter
t = allowed clearance
c = centre distance = a sin 180⁄𝑛
b = Geneva wheel radius = √𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2
s = slot centre length = (a + b)- c
w = slot width = p + t
y = slot arc radius = a-1.5p
z = stop disc radius = y-t
v = clearance arc = 𝑏𝑧⁄𝑎

APPLICATIONS
It finds variety of application in industry , Some of them are mentioned below :
o Mechanical watches , In Analogue watches , the “Date” changes due to it
o It is also used in motion picture projectors to provide the intermittent
advance of the film
o It was used in old Cameras
o Indexing system of large multiple spindle machine tools
o Light duty instrumental applications
o Indexing tables in assembly lines and tool changer for CNC
o Plotters
o Bottle filling machine , semiautomated capping machine
o Vaccum filling system using Geneva drive (used as gear drive)

[6]
 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
It is simplest and least expensive of Not a very versatile mechanism
all intermittent mechanisms.

They come for use in instrumetns and

machines in various sizes ,
specifications and ranges Very difficult to change timing once design is
chosen

Good motion curve characteristic Jerks are produced , due to instantaneous

than ratchets , It is also a special type change in acceleration (greater instantaneous
of cam. acceleration than cam)

They have a very long life

( it has very less wear)
Limited number of dwells from 3 to 18 per
rotation.

Maintains good control of its load at

all times.

[7]

FINAL OVEVIEW
Geneva mechanism is indeed is an import Mechanism , it is valued due to its simplicity and
cheapness , The usage and advantages of this mechanism overcome its demerits (which are
somewhat part of other mechanisms) ,It is also used in many Industrial products.

REFERENCES
o Brittanica [1]
o Wikipedia [2]
o International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017 [3]
o University of Warwick - ES3C2 Design Report - The Geneva Mechanism Philip Fulcher
1209885-January 7, 2015 [4]
o McGraw-Hill, Machining and Metalworking Handbook, D. Cornier.[5]
o International Journal of Recent Research in Civil and Mechanical Engineering
(IJRRCME) - [2015], Bottle Filling Machine based on Geneva Mechanism, Vol. 2, Issue
1, pp: (178-183). [6]
o Bickford, Mechanisms for Intermittent Motion , 1972 [7]