Abstract: Based on the loop’s array representation of kinematic chains and their inter-operations, the arithmetic and the conditions of creating the combination loops as well as the unique digital characteristic representation are presented. Then, with Visual C++6.0 and object-oriented programming method, an application software system is developed on the Windows platform. It can not only draw the topological graph but also create automatically the unique digital characteristic representation——the characteristic adjacency matrix and the characteristic representation code. The most important characteristic of this system is that it can create automatically the unique digital representation of kinematic chains even when their drawing modes and labeling ways change. Thus the unique digitalization of the topological graph of kinematic chains is realized, which benefits automation, intelligence and network of mechanism conceptual design. The problem that the unique digital representation of the topological graph of kinematic chains can not be computer-generated automatically is solved in the process of mechanism conceptual design.

Key words: Characteristic representation, Kinematic chain, Loop, VC++6.0