journal article·2026-06-16Open access

Generalized Kinematic Modeling of a Flat Pressing Mechanism with Adjustable Geometric Parameterization for Cheese Production

Emilian Mosnegutu, Ovidiu Bontaș, Mirela Panainte-Lehadus, Alexandra-Dana Chițimuș, Diana Mirila, Marcin Jasiński, Mihai Alin Petre, Ivona Camelia Petre

Applied Sciences· Volume 16· Issue 12

Abstract

This paper develops a generalized kinematic model for a lever-link-type flat pressing mechanism used in food processing applications for compacting the coagulate. The study aims to highlight the influence of the geometric parameter that defines the position of the intermediate coupling on the driving element on the mechanism’s configuration and on the main kinematic variables of the active pressing point. Under an idealized representation—assuming rigid links, perfect joints, and a vertical constraint acting on the active element—general analytical expressions for displacement, velocity, and acceleration were established using the vector-kinematic method. The results show that modifying the position of the intermediate coupling produces nonlinear variations in the length of the connecting element, its spatial orientation, and the vertical motion of the active point. Increased values of this parameter are associated with a greater effective stroke and higher vertical velocities toward the end of the motion, while the calculated accelerations remain relatively low, indicating a smooth kinematic evolution. The model establishes analytical relationships that describe the influence of geometric parameters on the kinematic behavior of the mechanism and can serve as a basis for further developments involving dynamic analysis and experimental validation.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Soft Robotics and Applications · Control and Dynamics of Mobile Robots · Polysaccharides Composition and Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Faculty of Engineering, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau, 600115 Bacau, Romania

Faculty of Economics, Law and Administrative Sciences, George Bacovia University in Bacau, Pictor Theodor Aman Street, No. 96, 600164 Bacau, Romania

Institute of Vehicles and Construction Machinery Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 02-524 Warsaw, Poland

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, University Politehnica of Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, Romania

Faculty of Materials Engineering and Mechanics, “Valahia” University of Targoviste, 130004 Targoviste, Romania

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