VRML2 Kinematic Joints

The following small worlds illustrate kinematic joints implemented in VRML2. The definitions of these links are roughly base on the STEP ISO standard (ISO 10303) Part 105. After loading the world click on a joint to watch the action. Select the image for the PROTO version.

This is a revolute pair which constraints the motion between two adjacent links to a rotation about a common axis.
This is a cylindrical pair which constrains the motion between two adjacent links to a translation along a common axis and a rotation about it.
This is a prismatic pair which constraints the motion between two adjacent links to a translation about a common axis.
This is a spherical pair which constraint the motion between two adjacent links to the rotation about three independent axes that intersect in a common point.
This is a universal pair which constrains the motion between two adjacent links to two rotations about two intersecting axes.
This is a screw pair which constraints the motion between two adjacent links to a rotation about, and translation along, a common axis, where the translation is proportional to the rotation. The factor of proportionality is given by pitch which defines the translational displacement for one full rotation.