Quick return mechanism animation

A quick return mechanism is an apparatus to produce a reciprocating motion in which the time taken for travel in one direction is less than in the other. It is driven by a circular motion source and uses a system of links and sliding joints. Quick return is a common feature of tools in which the action is performed in only one direction of the stroke, such as shapers and powered saws, because it allows less time to be spent on returning the tool to its initial position.