5.12 Examples of MATLAB Applications 159 5.12 E XAMPLES OF MATLAB A PPLICATIONS Sample Problem 5-2: Piston-crank mechanism The piston-rod-crank mechanism is used in many engineering applications. In the mechanism shown in the following figure, the crank is rotating at a constant speed of 500 rpm. Calculate and plot the position, velocity, and acceleration of the piston for one revolution of the crank. Make the three plots on the same page. Set = 0° when t = 0 . Solution · The crank is rotating with a constant angular velocity . This means that if we set · ·· = 0 o when t = 0 , then at time t the angle is given by = t , and that = 0 at all times. The distances d 1 and h are