University of Bristol

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Dynamics of Machines - Problem Sheet 1

QUESTION 1
(a)
Derive the equation relating torque, T, to axial load, W, for a nut being loosened when the helix angle is
, the mean thread diameter is dm and the coefficient of friction between the nut and bolt is .
(b)
If the nut and bolt are made of steel ( for steel-steel sliding is 0.7) what is the maximum helix angle of
the thread that can be used before the nut self-loosens when loaded?
QUESTION 2
A wine press uses a square threaded screw of 40 mm external diameter, with a pitch of 6 mm to load a plate
under which the grapes are crushed. The coefficient of friction between the wooden thread and nut is 0.2.
(a)

Calculate the torque required to achieve a 2 kN crushing load.

(b)

Calculate the efficiency of the process.

QUESTION 3
T o rq u e
T e n s io n

T e n s io n

A steel turnbuckle device as shown above is used to tension cables. The square threads (one left handed and one
right handed) each have an outside diameter of 10 mm and a pitch of 1 mm. The steel-steel coefficient of
friction is 0.7.
(a)

If the torque required to tighten the turnbuckle is 50 Nm, calculate the tension in the cable.

(b)
Calculate how low the coefficient of friction in the threads would have to be for the turnbuckle to self
loosen under load.
QUESTION 4 (MORE ADVANCED!)
x2
xg
x1

m g
P

A horizontal rod of mass, m, rests on two supports as shown in the figure. The supports are at distances of x1 and
x2 from the left hand end of the rod and the centre of gravity at a distance of xg. The coefficient of static friction
between the supports and the rod is and the dynamic coefficient of friction is , where <1. If the right hand
support is moved slowly towards the left hand one slip will initially occur at the support where the maximum
horizontal static frictional force that can be provided is lower.
(a)
Obtain expressions for the loads P1 and P2 on each support and hence the maximum horizontal static
frictional force that may be provided by each one when the right hand support starts to move.
(b)
Consider the case if slip occurs at the right hand support (i.e. so the rod stays still and the support slides
underneath it so x2 decreases). As the support moves, the loads, and hence the maximum friction force, at both
supports changes. At some point the static frictional force provided at the left hand support equals the dynamic
frictional force at the right hand support. Find the value of x2 at which this occurs and show that it is greater than
xg.
(c)
When the condition in (b) occurs there is an instant when the rod does not slip at either support. Which
support does sliding next occur at if the right hand support continues to move towards the left hand one?
(d)
The right hand support keeps moving closer to the left hand support until they are almost touching.
Without further calculations, say what the final position of the rod is.
You can try this by supporting a ruler on your hands and slowly moving them together.
ANSWERS
1. (b) 35; 2. (a) 9.407 Nm, (b) 20.3 %; 3. (a) 7.007 kN, (b) 0.0335.
304428332.doc
13/02/2016

Page 1 of 1