Editing Machine (section)

=== Linkages ===
[[File:Landing gear schematic.svg|thumb|right|Schematic of the actuator and four-bar linkage that position an aircraft landing gear]]
A [[linkage (mechanical)|linkage]] is a collection of links connected by joints. Generally, the links are the structural elements and the joints allow movement. Perhaps the single most useful example is the planar [[four-bar linkage]]. However, there are many more special linkages:
* [[Watt's linkage]] is a four-bar linkage that generates an approximate straight line. It was critical to the operation of his design for the steam engine. This linkage also appears in vehicle suspensions to prevent side-to-side movement of the body relative to the wheels. Also see the article [[Parallel motion]].
* The success of Watt's linkage lead to the design of similar approximate straight-line linkages, such as [[Hoekens linkage|Hoeken's linkage]] and [[Chebyshev linkage|Chebyshev's linkage]].
* The [[Peaucellier-Lipkin linkage|Peaucellier linkage]] generates a true straight-line output from a rotary input.
* The [[Sarrus linkage]] is a spatial linkage that generates straight-line movement from a rotary input.
* The [[Klann linkage]] and the [[Theo Jansen|Jansen linkage]] are recent inventions that provide interesting walking movements. They are respectively a six-bar and an eight-bar linkage.