I was wondering where I could get diagrams on how to transform something that moves only in only one place like an rotating axle or garage door opener track into something that moves in the XY plane through some curvy path.

I have used tracks in the past to for example, starting with something flush with a wall, have it clear it and slide behind it, but I'm looking for something more elegant, vibration free and silent. Not quite ready to move to hydraulics yet, but may be one day do that as well.

Some "European" cabinet hinges to XY movement. Here are a couple of you tube videos of products that do that as well.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyhxO6RQZDo"]YouTube - Hidden Bookshelf Door - reversica.com[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yvsCNNA2lk"]YouTube - Reversica TV[/ame]

I suppose there are some principles/guidelines that we can apply. Not really copy but "design movement" in the XY plane. I want to learn how to do that and apply it to my humble projects.

Thanks!