What is the difference between ball joints and universals?
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While I have found some minor differences, I haven't found much that separates the two. In fact, it seems as though that ball joints are actually a SUPERIOR version of universal joints. Please enlighten me and explain the major differences.
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A universal joint is like two perpedicular hinges gunged together... so anything connected to it can move to point in any direction, but can't rotate (I'm not sure if that's the right word for it). A ball joint is effectively the same, but the object can rotate. I normally prefer universal joints...
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That is not quite right, both joint can rotate through the axis perpendicular to the joint,
but a universal is used for power transmission like you drive shaft in you car, where a
ball joint (ball and socket joint) is used to change directional force like your hip joint or
where your a-frame ties to your spindle in the front suspension of you car.
Hope this helps. -
Both should allow rotation perpendicular to the joint axis. A ball joint should also allow rotation around the joint axis, but a universal should transmit torque around the joint axis.
Take a look at http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=69d447c5714436b4d1246dc603255322, in which I found that, instead, ball joints are transmitting torque and universals aren't.
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