TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

Experiment No. 8
8.1. Objective:
To determine the mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and mechanical efficiency of worm and
worm-wheel gear.

8.2. Apparatus:
1. Worm and Worm Gear
2. Weights
3. Hangers

Figure 1 Worm and Worm-Wheel Gear Apparatus

8.3. Procedure:
1. First of all, lubricate the gear set.
2. Now attach hangers on both sides of gear set. Here one hanger is used for load and other
is used for applying effort.
3. Now add weight on the load hanger and similarly add weight to the hanger used for
effort.
4. Add weights until the load was lifted.
5. Note the value of weights on both hangers.
6. Calculate mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and mechanical efficiency by using
formulas.
7. Repeat the experiment for other value of weights.

8.4. Theoretical Background:

8.4.1. Worm and Worm Gear:
A worm drive is a gear arrangement in which a worm (which is a gear in the form of a screw)
meshes with a worm gear (which is similar in appearance to a spur gear).This gear drive is used

23
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

for higher torque transmission while reducing rotational speeds. A gearbox designed using a
worm and worm-wheel (which is considerably smaller than one made from plain spur gears), and
has its drive axes at 90° to each other. With a single start worm, for each 360° turn of the worm,
the worm-wheel advances only one tooth of the gear wheel. A single start worm and a 20 tooth
worm wheel reduces the speed by the ratio of 20:1. Efficiency of a worm drive is determined by
the lead angle and the number of threads in contact with the worm gear. A high lead angle on the
drive reduces frictional losses and heat. A low lead angle reduces gear speed while
proportionally increasing torque.

Figure 2 Worm and Worm Gear

8.4.2. Mechanical Advantage:

The amplification of a force is determined by its mechanical advantage, which is ratio of the
applied load to the effort required to lift the load.

Load ( L)
Mechanical Advantage (M.A)  100
Effort ( E )
8.4.3. Velocity Ratio:
The ratio of distance that any part of a machine moves to that distance which the driving part
moves, during the same time is termed as velocity ratio.

8.4.4. Mechanical Efficiency:

The ratio of mechanical advantage to the velocity ratio is termed as mechanical efficiency.

Mechanical Advantage
Mechanical Efficiency (M.E)  100
Velocity Ratio
8.4.5. Advantages:
 Higher Gear Ratio.
 High Torque Transmission.
 Torque transmission at 90 degrees and less physical size then spur gear for same gear
ratio.

24
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

8.6. Observations and Calculation:

Radius of Effort Drum= = 17.5 mm
Radius of Load Drum = = 35 mm
No. of starts on worm = s = 1
No. of teeth on the worm wheel = T = 40
Distance moved by the effort = x = 2 s

Distance travelled by the load = y =

Velocity Ratio = = 20

Sr. No. Applied Load Applied Effort Mechanical Mechanical

Advantage Efficiency
(lb) (lb) - %
1 0.5 0.3 1.67 8.35
2 1 0.4 2.5 12.5
3 1.5 0.7 2.14 10.7
4 2 1.05 1.90 9.5

8.7. Comments:
 Make sure to lubricate the gear set to avoid frictional losses.
 Select the effort load appropriately according to applied load.
 Use a continuous piece of string with hanger to avoid any fluctuation in experiment and
to avoid errors.
 These gear set are used for high torque transmissions.

25
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

Experiment No. 9
9.1. Objective:
To study the cam analysis machine and draw the cam profile with the help of displacement
diagram.

9.2. Apparatus:
1. Cam Analysis Machine
2. Roller Follower
3. Convex Cam

Figure 3 Cam Analysis Apparatus

9.3. Procedure:
1. First of all, set up the apparatus.
2. Now wrap a drawing paper around the drum and place a marker in penholder.
3. Connect the convex cam with the follower.
4. Rotate the flywheel at constant speed to obtain graph for one revolution on paper.
5. With the help of graph, draw the required cam profile by dividing the graph into 0 to 360
degrees.
6. Use base circle and a circle equal to radius of addition of cam and follower radii.
7. Measure the vertical distances and locate these points on circles.
8. Join the points, we get the required cam profile.

9.4. Theoretical Background:

9.4.1. Cam Analysis Apparatus:
This apparatus is used to visualize that how rotatory motion is being converted into linear motion
by using cam and follower of various types. It is also useful in defining terms like nose, flank

26
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

and dwell. The cam analysis machine consists of base of heavy steel that holds speed motor. The
shaft of motor and main shaft connects through coupling. The bearings are there for supporting
the shaft which contains the flywheel. The flywheel is used to reduce speed variations as the
torque varies changes during the cam rotation cycle. The cam is connected to main shaft,
accurately mounted both axially and radially to ensure repeatability. The follower is connected to
end of vertical shaft running in low-friction linear bearings.

9.4.2. Introduction to cam and follower:

Cam and follower combination is an example of higher pairs. The member consisting of cam and
follower mechanism consists of a driver which is cam and a driven which is follower. It also
contains a frame that support the cam and follower. A brief introduction to cam and follower is
given below.

9.4.3. Cam:
A cam is a sliding or rotating piece that transforms rotary motion into linear motion. It produces
a smooth reciprocating motion in the follower, which is a lever making contact with the cam.
Cam can be classified into many types according to shape, movement of follower and constraint
of follower. Some of the types of cam are.

9.4.3.1. Types of cam:

Cams can be classified into the following three types based on their shapes. They are:

1. Plate or disk cams:

This type of cam is formed on a disk or plate. The radial distance from the center of the disk
is varied throughout the circumference of the cam. Allowing a follower to ride on this outer
edge gives the follower a radial motion. Plate or disk cams are the simplest and most
common type of cam.
2. Cylindrical or drum cam:
This type of cam is formed on a cylinder. A groove is cut into the cylinder, with a varying
location along the axis of rotation. Attaching a follower that rides in the groove gives the
follower motion along the axis of rotation.
3. Linear Cam:
This type of cam is formed on a translated block. A groove is cut into the block with a
distance that varies from the plane of translation. Attaching a follower that rides in the
groove gives the follower motion perpendicular to the plane of translation.

27
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

Figure 4 Types of Cams

9.4.4. Cam Follower:

Cam follower is the mechanical part that follows the path derived by the cam. Follower is
basically playing the part of driven part in this mechanism. The follower also has types
depending upon the follower motion, position and shape.

9.4.4.1. Based on Follower Motion:

Based on the follower motion, followers can be classified into the following two categories:
1. Translating followers are constrained to motion in a straight line.
2. Pivoted followers are constrained to rotational motion.
9.4.4.2. Based on Follower Position:
Based on the follower position, relative to the center of rotation of the cam, is typically
influenced by any spacing requirements of the machine. The position of translating followers can
be classified into the following two categories:
1. In-line follower exhibits straight-line motion, such that the line of translation extends
through the center of rotation of the cam
2. Offset follower exhibits straight-line motion, such that the line of the motion is offset
from the center of rotation of the cam
9.4.4.3. Based on Follower Shape:
Finally, the follower shape can be classified into the following four categories:
1. Knife-edge follower consists of a follower that is formed to a point and drags on the
edge of the cam. It is the simplest form.

28
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

2. Roller follower consists of a follower that has a separate part, the roller that is pinned to
the follower stem. As the cam rotates, the roller maintains contact with the cam and rolls
on the cam surface. This is the most commonly used follower.
3. Flat-faced follower consists of a follower that is formed with a large, flat surface
available to contact the cam.
4. Spherical-faced follower consists of a follower formed with a radius face that contacts
the cam. As with the flat-faced follower, the spherical- face can be used with a steep cam
motion without jamming. The radius face compensates for deflection or misalignment.

Figure 5 Types of Followers

9.5. Observations and Calculations:

Radius of cam = 2.5 cm
Scale: 1cm = 12 degrees
Radius of follower = 1.4 cm

Figure 6 Graph obtained by rotating flywheel

29
TMC LAB 2016-ME-56

Figure 7 Required Cam Profile

9.6. Comments:
 There might be some errors because apparatus is operated manually.
 Flywheel should be frictionless to avoid error.
 Rotate the flywheel at constant speed (not too high and not too low) to get accurate curve
for displacement graph.
 There should be a good contact between the marker tip and drawing paper to get accurate
graph.
 Belts in the apparatus should be free of dust to be frictionless and to get accurate result.

30