12/11/2014

SIMPLE MACHINES
Machines make work easier.
They normally transform input forces into output forces in a more convenient form for a required
task.
Simple machines in mechanics fall into six broad categories:
Lever
Inclined plane
Wedge
Screw
Wheel and axle
Pulley
Compound machines comprise two or more simple machines that work together to achieve a
required task.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
Some Terms and Definitions
Effort – force applied to do work at on some part of the machine.
Load – external force that is overcome by the effort in doing work.
Effort and Load Distances – distances effort and load must move through in order for work to be done.
Mechanical Advantage – ratio of load to effort.
Velocity Ratio – ratio of effort distance to load distance.
For an ideal machine, work done by the effort is equal to work that should be done on the load.
P  distance through which P moves  W  distance through which W moves
W distance through which P moves
   Velocity Ratio
P distance through which W moves
M . A.  V .R.

Ideal machines don’t exist in real life.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
Some Terms and Definitions
Efficiency of the machine – ratio of useful work done to work supplied.

Useful work done by the machine

Efficiency 
work input to the machine
If x and y are the distances moved through by the Effort, P  and the Load, W  respective ly, then
Wy
Efficiency 
Px
W / P Mechanical Advantage
 
x/ y Velocity Ratio

Overhauling in simple machines refers to a scenario in which the when the effort on the machine is
removed, it turns to run back with the load now acting as the effort.
Machines must be self-locking or self-sustaining in order for this not to happen

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Lever
A rigid member that is capable or rotating about a fulcrum such that the effort at one point can
overcome a load at another point.
Classified according to positions of effort and load
The relationship between load and effort is given by Wa  Pb

b Effort Effort
a b a a

Effort b Load
Load Load
1st Class 3rd Class
2nd Class

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Lever

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Inclined Plane
Normally used to move heavy bodies through a vertical distance by moving it up an inclined plane.

Summing forces,

l
W
 F parallel  0; P  W sin   F  0
  F perpendicular  0; W cos   N  0
h F  N

P  P  W (sin    cos  )
P N



FBD W 1
b M . A.  
P (sin    cos  )

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Inclined Plane
Example
A 100 kg crate is being loaded onto the bed of a pickup truck using a ramp. The floor of the truck’s
bed is 1.2 m from the ground. If the crate is being pushed with a force of 30N, determine the angle of
inclination, as well as the length of the ramp. Take the co-efficient of static friction between the crate
material and ramp material to be 0.7, and the magnitude of the normal reaction between the ramp
and crate as 25 N.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wedge
This is basically two inclined planes set together.

P  2W (sin    cos  )
W W

W 1
M . A.  
P 2(sin    cos  )
 
W   W

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wedge
Wedges are also used to raise loads.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wedge
Example
The position of the machine block B is adjusted by moving the wedge A. Knowing that the
coefficient of static friction is 0.35 between all surfaces of contact, determine the force P required
(a) to raise block B,
(b)to lower block B.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wedge
Example – Solution
Summing forces,
  F  0;  R sin 27.3  R cos 19.3  0
x 1
o
2
o
- - - (1)
   F  0; R cos 27.3  R sin19.3  400 lb  0
y 1
o
2
o
- - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
R1  549 lb

Summing forces,
  F  0; R sin 27.3  R sin19.3
x 1
o
3
o
P 0 - - - (1)
   F  0; R cos 19.3  R cos 27.3
y 3
o
1
o
0 - - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
P  423 lb

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wedge
Example – Solution
Summing forces,
  F  0; R sin11.3.  R cos 19.3  0
x 1
o
2
o
- - - (1)
   F  0; R cos 11.3  R sin19.3  400 lb  0
y 1
o
2
o
- - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
R1  381 lb

Summing forces,
  F  0;  R sin11.3  R sin19.3  P  0
x 1
o
3
o
- - - (1)
   F  0; R cos 19.3  R cos 11.3  0
y 3
o
1
o
- - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
P  206 lb

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Screw
Normally used as fasteners. But square-threaded screws are also often used for transmitting power.
Can be considered as an inclined plane wrapped around a shaft.
Often used in jacks, presses, vices, clamps, etc.

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APPLICATIONS OF FRICTION IN SIMPLE MACHINES

The Screw

 Screwing a nut against the load (moving the load up)

W

For equilibrium,

  F  0; P  R sin     0
x - - - (1)
L    F  0;  W  R cos     0
y - - - (2)
P R
 Eliminating R and simplifying, we obtain

P  W tan(   )
d

FBD
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APPLICATIONS OF FRICTION IN SIMPLE MACHINES

The Screw
Example
A clamp is used to hold two pieces of wood together as shown. The clamp has a double square
thread of mean diameter equal to 10 mm with a pitch of 2 mm. The coefficient of friction
between threads is μs = 0.30.
If a maximum couple of 40 Nm is applied in tightening the clamp, determine
(a) the force exerted on the pieces of wood,
(b) the couple required to loosen the clamp.

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APPLICATIONS OF FRICTION IN SIMPLE MACHINES

The Screw
Example – Solution
Force exerted on wood in tightening the clamp
Summing forces,
F
  F  0; 8 kN  R sin16.7  7.3   0
x
o o
- - - (1)
   F  0;  F  R cos16.7  7.3   0
y
o o
- - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
F  17.96 kN

To loosen the clamp, Summingforces,

o
F = 17.97 kN   F  0; Q  R sin 9.4  0
x - - - (1)
o
   F  0;  17.97 kN  R cos 9.4
y 0 - - - (2)
Solving simultaneously,
Q  2.97 kN

Couple Required  Q  r  2.97 kN  0.005 m  14.85 Nm

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APPLICATIONS OF FRICTION IN SIMPLE MACHINES

The Screw
Example
The single-threaded screw of the floor jack has a pitch of 1.3 cm and a mean radius of 4.5 cm. The
angle of static friction is 8.5o. Determine (a) the couple C that must be applied to the screw to start
lifting a weight of 4000 N. (b) the couple required to start lowering the weight.
4000 N

(a) 114.5 Nm; (b) 60.2 Nm

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APPLICATIONS OF FRICTION IN SIMPLE MACHINES

The Screw
Example
The mass of block A is 60 kg. The coefficient of friction between the thread and the mating groove is 0.2 and
that between all other rubbing surfaces is 0.4. The pitch of the thread on the shaft is 5 mm. Take the mean
radius of the screw to be 15 mm.
Determine the minimum couple that must turn the screw in order to raise block A

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Wheel and Axle

a b

Crank a

Effort, P

Load, W
Handle Free-body diagram

Wa  Pb

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Pulley
 Consists of a wheel which can turn freely on its axle and carries a rope or cable.

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SIMPLE MACHINES
The Pulley

FBD Velocity Ratio

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