e-ISSN (O): 2348-4470

Scientific Journal of Impact Factor (SJIF): 4.72

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International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research

Development
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017

REVIEW ON GENEVA MECHANISM AND ITS APPLICATION

ANKUR PRAJAPATI1*, CHINMAY PATEL2, DHWANIT PANKHANIA3, BRIJEN KANJIA4, AAKASH DUBEY5
1
Mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology and Management Universe, Vadodara, Gujarat, India- 391510.
2
Mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology and Management Universe, Vadodara, Gujarat, India- 391510.
3
Mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology and Management Universe, Vadodara, Gujarat, India- 391510.
4
Mechanical engineering, Institute of Technology and Management Universe, Vadodara, Gujarat, India- 391510.
5
Mechanical engineering, Assistant Professor, Institute of Technology and Management Universe, Vadodara,
Gujarat, India-391510.

Abstract In this paper we have reviewed different paper with reference to our project work. The information reviewed in
this paper is the basics of Geneva mechanism, application of Geneva Mechanism and different design criteria for
Geneva wheel. This also shows the use of Geneva in our project work with the help of studying different application and
also applying proper design criteria. The project work carried by us is the Semi Automatic bar Cutting Machine. By
using Geneva Mechanism the intermittent motion of Geneva will be used as a feed mechanism for our machine.

Keywords: Geneva Mechanism, Cutting Machine, Feeding Mechanism

INTRODUCTION

The name derived from the devices earliest application in mechanical watches. The Geneva drive is commonly known
as a Maltese cross mechanism. The Geneva drive is a mechanism which converts continuous rotation into an intermittent
rotary motion. There is a pin in the rotating drive wheel which moves into a slot of driven wheel stepping ahead by a
unit. Standard arrangement of Geneva wheel has four slots or six slots and moving a step forward of 90 degrees for each
rotation of drive wheel. Genevas are available on an off-the shell basis from several manufacturers, in a variety of sizes.
Its various applications are movie projectors, tool changers in CNC machine, banknote counting machine, paper cutting
machine, bottle filling machine etc. [1]

I. TYPES OF GENEVA MECHANISM

1.1 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.
[1]

Figure1. Four slot external Geneva mechanism [1]

1.2 Internal Geneva Mechanism

In this type of mechanism, the Geneva cross and cam drive are connected internally in the closed box. There is bearing

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

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. [1]

Figure2. Four slot internal Geneva mechanism [1]

1.3 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. The figure is given below. [1]

Figure3. Four slot spherical Geneva Mechanism [1]

II. APPLICATIONS

There are various applications of Geneva Mechanisms out which three applications are discussed in this paper.

2.1 Bottle Filling Machine Based On Geneva Mechanism

The main objective of this application is to design and develop an automatic liquid filling machine in bottles by using
Geneva Mechanism. In this application different sizes of containers and varying heights of bottles are to be filled by a
liquid/water.

Figure4. Bottle Filling Machine [2]

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Figure5. Semi-Automatic Figure6. Semi-Automatic capping

capping machine (top view) machine (bottom view) [2]
[2]
The Geneva drive is connected to the shaft of bottle holding turret as shown in above figure. When the drive wheel
meshes with Geneva wheel, intermittent motion is generated. Now during dwell period liquid is filled into the bottle
controlled by a solenoid. The solenoid is controlled by a limit switch. Thereafter as the dwell period ends turret rotates
and next bottle comes under the nozzle.

This application is used for filling bottles of different height. The present application depicts vast benefits of Geneva
mechanisms that can be used in various industries where automation is required. This concept can be used in beverage
and food industries, milk industries, medicine industries, mineral water, chemical product industries and manufacturing
industries. [2]

2.2 Cutting Mechanism By Giving Feed Through Geneva Mechanism:

The main aim of this application is to design a mechanism for cutting by giving intermittent feed. Cutting application
takes place with a help of slotted lever mechanism which was designed using slider crank mechanism.

Figure7. Slider crank Figure8. Geneva Mechanism [3] Figure9. Belt drive [3]
Mechanism [3]

When the pin of the drive wheel intersects Geneva wheel intermittent motion is generated. Now this motion is
transmitted from one end to other with the help of belt drive. Geneva produces cutting feed which is transmitted to
slotted lever mechanism. As a result cutting action takes place during dwell period and lever retracts at the same time.

The feed produced from the Geneva mechanism was cut by the slotted lever mechanism at the end of the belt drive. With
this model equal length of feed at equal interval of time is produced. By changing the depth of the slots in Geneva wheel
and the path length of the slide amount of the feed can be managed.[3]

2.3 Vacuum Fill System Using Geneva Drive

In this application Geneva mechanism is used as a gear drive mechanism. Here a vacuum system which consist of a
cylinder with different chambers rotate sequentially and are connected to vacuum pump for deaerating flow able
materials. The material eventually compacts when atmospheric conditions are restored.

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

Figure10. Section view [4] Figure11. Front view [4] Figure12. Top view [4]

At the start of the system Geneva drive repositions all the chambers to their correct positions. When the chamber one is
filled with flow able material, there is vacuum created by vacuum pump to desecrate the material. Now, Geneva drive
again moves this chamber to position four. This results in compression of flow able materials due to action of
atmospheric pressure. Thus similarly material in all the four chambers is compressed. Then a new cycle begins.

From this application it can be seen that apart from being used a feed mechanism, Geneva can also be used as gear drive
for applications similar to this. [4]

III. Semi-Automatic bar cutting machine

(Our application of Geneva mechanism)

We are designing a cut-off machine based on Geneva mechanism. A cut-off machine is a device that is used to cut metal
bars, channels, etc. to various lengths by means of an abrasive disc. Our project aims at providing automatic feed and
control to the machine using Geneva mechanism. A chain & sprocket drive is used that is connected to conveyor belt
system.

Design characteristics and calculations:-

Figure13. Geneva [1] Figure14. Pin wheel [1]

3.1 Design parameters of Geneva Mechanism

s= slot centre length = ( + )

a= drive crank radius
w= slot width = +
n= driven slot quantity

y= stop arc radius = (1.5)

p= drive pin diameter

z= stop disc radius =

y= allowed clearance

p= clearance arc =
c= centre distance = sin(180/)

b= Geneva wheel radius = ( 2 2 )

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 International Journal of Advance Engineering and Research Development (IJAERD)
Volume 4, Issue 2, February -2017, e-ISSN: 2348 - 4470, print-ISSN: 2348-6406

We have designed a Geneva mechanism in SOLIDWORKS based on the above design parameters.

Figure15. 3-D Model Figure16. Geneva wheel Figure17. Pin Wheel

Conclusion

The study of different application of Geneva Mechanism has helped in proper implementation of an orientation of the
mechanism. As our project aims for small and medium scales industries, the above applications were similar which helps
us to reduce overall cost of our project. On other hand, we have also moved to automation without composition of any
electronic or digital circuits.

Reference

1. Bickford, John H. - [1972], Geneva Mechanisms - Mechanism for intermittent motion Industrial Press inc. 128. ISBN
0-8311- 1091-0, pp: (127-138).

2. 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).

3. International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology - [2015], Cutting Mechanism by Giving Feed
through Geneva Mechanism, Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp: (1172-1175).

4. Norwin C. Derby [1992], Vacuum Fill System, patent no: (5,109,893).

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