Abstract— Machines play a very important role in today's industry because they are the foundation of automation. An essential integral part of each machine is the mechanism. In many cases, there are several mechanisms working independently inside the machine or the movements of the individual mechanisms are joined. It is necessary to understand a mechanism´s motion to be possible to set up its right working conditions and so also to achieve the most appropriate machine efficiency. The article deals with the kinematic analysis of a Whitworth mechanism. This mechanism is a part of a shaping machine that is used in real technical practice. Three approaches (analytical, graphical and solution with computer aid) to the specification of kinematics characteristics of a cutting tool motion are presented in the article. Also, the advantages and disadvantages of the presented approaches are briefly described in the paper. A comparison of results of kinematic analysis has shown that there are no differences in the achieved values; they are only in an accuracy that follows from the essence of individual approaches to the solution.