Degrees of freedom

Introduction:

Degrees of freedom forms fundamental basis for moving bodies system in the field of mechanical engineering, robotics, structural engineering, and aeronautical engineering and so on. They are the set of independent displacements which represents deformed position of moving body system. Flexible body is said to move in three dimensional spaces. Hence, rigid body has three degrees of freedom with respect to three transitional displaced or deformed components. Rigid body can have six degrees of freedom to maximum. Translation, ability to move without any such rotation is quite different from transitional movement. For instance travelling in airplane has two dimensional spaces and hence it has two degrees of freedom. Other instance is train. As train runs on track it has only one degree of freedom.

Causes of dimensions:

Six degrees of freedom nautical names are as follows.

• Pitching: Motion is in object’s transverse axis and sways along lateral Y axis. Governing stability is of longitudinal type. It is referred as tilting backward and forward.
• Heaving: Motion is in vertical position and yaw along vertical Z axis. Governing stability is of positional motion. It is referred as moving down and up.
• Surging: Motion is in longitudinal and rolls along longitudinal X axis. Governing stability is of motion ahead and astern. It is referred as moving backward and upward.
• Rolling: Motion is in longitudinal axis. Governing stability is of transverse stability. It is referred as tilting side to side. It is not preferable in ships and cargos as it pose risk to passengers.
• Yawing: Motion is in vertical axis. Governing stability is of directional type. It is referred as turning right and left. Ships rotate through center of gravity.
• Swaying: Motion is in lateral side. Governing stability is of lateral motion. It is referred as moving right and left.

Questions:

• What are degrees of freedom with respect to electrical engineering?
• What are the causes of degrees of freedom?
• How do you compute degrees of freedom in mechanical systems?