Preface to the English Edition

This textbook, the translation of the ninth edition of the German book “Maschinendynamik” (published in its first edition in Germany and Austria in 1979), discusses disciplines that in many countries are presented separately in lectures titled “Theory of Mechanisms and Machines” (TMM) and “Vibrations” or “Theory of Vibrations”. The basic idea by my distinguished colleague, Prof. Holzweissig, was to combine these disciplines into the “Dynamics of Machinery”. We worked out this concept together in the first three editions, relying on our experience gained in our collaborations with engineers here in Saxony. Since he became a professor emeritus in 1993, I have constantly updated the book since its 4th edition and have added more exercises and sections. This textbook is based on the four-semester lecture series on “Engineering Mechanics” and confronts students directly with dynamic problems of their field. Dynamics of machinery is viewed both as a typical field for the mathematical modeling of technological processes and as a branch of mechanical engineering that addresses dynamic problems of power machines (reciprocating engines and turbomachines), processing machines (printing machines, textile machines, packaging machines), hoists and conveyors, agricultural machines and vehicles, as well as industrial plants. The book comprises relatively independent chapters that discuss typical issues of the dynamics of mechinery from the point of view of mechanical engineers. Chapter 6 gives a general overview of linear oscillators and includes methods discussed in Chaps. 3, 4 and 5. We were fully aware and accepted some overlap and repetitions, making many cross-references among sections. Chapter 7 discusses nonlinear and self-excited oscillators, for which calculations are becoming more and more relevant to practical application. Chapter 8 still does not contain any equations, but the rules compiled there are important for engineering practice. We included a new chapter “on interrelations with system dynamics and mechatronics” to enhance the understanding of these adjacent disciplines. This chapter prepares the readers for a more general approach to solving problems of the dynamics of machinery by including sensors and actuators.