A car engine manufacturer needs to know the maximum linear velocity of the piston head in a new prototype engine. The technicians know the rotational speed of the crankshaft but are unable to determine the linear velocity of the actual piston head.

What is known:

• The crankshaft rotates at 3,000 rpm.
• The crank rod length is 1 inch.
• The connecting rod length is 3 inches.
• The piston head is constrained to move in the vertical direction.

What is the maximum velocity of the piston head over a complete rotation?

• The problem can be solved by splitting it into two parts. First, solve for the velocity of point B, v_B, using bar AB, and then solve for the velocity of point C, v_C, using v_B and bar BC.
• Apply the relative velocity equation for a rigid body for both bar AB and bar BC,
  
  v_B = v_A + v_B/A