Simple Machines

Mechanics - Simple Machines

A machine can be defined as a piece of equipment for overcoming a force applied at
one point by means of a force applied at another point.
Simplest example is the lever.

A single sheave pulley block is the simplest of moving machines. In its basic form,
serves only to reverse the direction of the force.

Turning Moment
When a force is applied to a Lever it gives it a turning effect, which is known as the
Moment of Force or Turning Moment (Torque)

When we apply a force on the spanner at a distance from the centre of the bolt the
turning moment on the bolt is calculated by multiplying the Force x Distance

Force of 80N x Distance of 0.6m = a turning moment of 48N/m

Mechanics - Simple Machines

When load and effort are equal they will be in balance and
remain stationary (Equilibrium)
Relationship between the Load and the Effort is known
as the Mechanical Advantage

With a single pulley, the distance moved by the load

will be the same as that travelled by the effort
With 2 pulleys the effort has to move a much greater
distance than that travelled by the load
Relationship of movement is known as the Velocity Ratio

Mechanical Advantage
Mechanical Advantage defined as the ratio of load to effort

Velocity Ratio defined as the ratio of the distance moved by the effort to the distance
moved by the load

Efficiency determined by comparing the total input with the total output and this is
known as work done

Pulley Systems
Example calculation only
A 40N effort moves a load of 80N.
The final effort moves 2 metres and at the same time the
load moves 1 metre.
Calculate Mechanical Advantage (MA) and Velocity Ratio
(VR).
MA = LOAD
EFFORT

= 80N = 2
40N

VR = DISTANCE MOVED BY EFFORT = 2 = 2

DISTANCE MOVED BY LOAD
1
Simple pulleys suffer 8% loss
of efficiency due to friction.

Equilibrium
The diagram below shows a lever in equilibrium. An effort of 200N balances a load of
600N
The Effort force is 6 metres from the fulcrum and the Load force is 2 metres from the
fulcrum
In a state of equilibrium clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments

Clockwise moment = 600N x 2m

Anti-clockwise moment = 200N x 6m
1200 = 1200

Simple Ratios

3:1

4:1

Any Questions