Design of Direct Contact Mechanisms

It is with great pleasure that we introduce this issue of the Journal of Mechanical Design entirely dedicated to the Design of Direct Contact Mechanisms. This is a first for JMD both as an entire themed issue along with the switch from bimonthly to monthly issues. Editor J. Michael McCarthy articulated the importance of the science of gearing to this journal and felt that a special issue emphasizing its role to JMD is warranted. More than a year ago we agreed to work with Editor McCarthy to realize this special issue. As we collaborated to refine the scope of this special issue, we concluded that gearing is part of the broader classification that we refer to in this issue as the Direct Contact Mechanisms.