 Machine: uses power to apply forces and control the movements to perform

an action.
 Mechanism: is a device that transforms input forces and movement into a set
of output forces. Mechanisms consist of moving components.

There are a lot of components and we will study the most important along the
history. Simple machines:

 Levers: palanca
 Pulleys: politja Greeks
 Screw: cargol.
 Wheel and axel: tambor i torn.
 Wedge: tascó Renaissance
 Inclined plane: pla inclinat

They are made up of a rigid bar that is used with a point of support (the fulcrum).
V
 The mechanical force (F) is applied in one end.
 The resistance (R) is applied on the other end of the lever.
 The law of the lever:
o F x BF = R x B R
o R= F x BF ÷ BR
o F= R x BR ÷ BF

BR BF
 Class 1:
o The fulcrum is located between
the force and the resistance.
o Examples: teeth-totter, seesaw,
catapult, scissors, shoehorn.

 Class 2:
o The resistance is located
between the fulcrum and the
force.
o Examples: wheelbarrow,
crowbar, nut cracker.

 Class 3:
o The force is located
between the resistance and
the fulcrum.
o Examples: fishing rod,
stapler, broom, hockey
stick.
 Pulleys are a wheel that has the lateral surface
adapted in the form of a channel so that a rope may
come in contact with it without coming off.

A fixed pulley is balanced.

 F=R

A moveable pulley is not balanced.

 F = R/ (2 x N)
o N is the number of moveable
pulleys.

A compound pulley is a set of fixed

and moveable pulleys.

They are not balanced.

 F = R/ (2 x N)
 These mechanisms are used to transmit the movement of rotation from one axis to
another. These axis can be parallel, perpendicular or another position that are not
normal.

We have to wheels that they are touching. In those

mechanisms we transmit the movement between parallel
axes. We can’t transmit huge forces because they can slide
between them.

 Equation: N1 x D1 = N2 x D2
o N: rotary velocity
o D: diameter
D1 N2
 Gear radio (relació de transmisió): i =
D2
= N1

If we join two pulleys through a belt, we can transmit the rotation movement of one
pulley to the other. Its axles are parallel and they rotate in the same direction. These
are mechanisms that are useful for non-huge forces.

 Equation: N1 x D1 = N2 x D2
D1 N2
 Gear radio (relació de transmisió): i =
D2
= N1
Cogwheels are sets of wheels that have teeth called cogs. They mesh together
and one wheel moves another. We use this mechanism for huge forces; the axles
can be parallel, perpendicular or oblique

 Equation: N1 x Z1 = N2 x Z2
o Z: is the number of teeth
Z1 N2
 Gear radio: i = =
Z2 N1
 We can have three types of cylindrical gears:

Spur gear Helical gear Bevel gear

 It is a screw that moves a helical

cogwheel which is set perpendicular to
the screw.
 It is unidirectional mechanism.
 Formula: N (wheel) = N (screw) x Z
(groove) / Z (wheel).
Two cogwheels with parallel axles that are a certain distance apart. They are used to
transmit greater forces and there is no slippage between chain and the wheel.

 Equation: N1 x Z1 = N2 x Z2
Z1 N2
 Gear radio: i= =
Z2 N1

 There are more than two pulleys or gears.

 Are used to multiply or reduce velocity.
 Equations:
Z1×Z3×Z5 N6
o =
Z 2× Z 4 × Z 6 N 1
D 1× D3 × D5 N 6
o =
D2 × D 4 × D 6 N 1

 From rotary into linear:

o Rock and pinion.
o Nut and bolt.
o Winch systems.
 From rotary into reciprocating (alternating)
o Crank-link-slider
o Crankshaft.
o Cam and eccentric cam.
 This uses a pinion on a rack.
 When the pinion rotates, the rack advances in
a linear motion.
 It’s a reversible mechanism.
 Uses: in bench drills, corkscrews, automobile
steering.

 This consists of a bolt or threaded bar and

nut.
 If the bolt rotates and the nut can’t turn, the
nut moves in a linear motion along the
threaded axle.
 If the nut rotates in a fixed position the bolt
will move in a linear motion.
 Uses in: taps, car jacks, screw tops for bottles
 This consists of a crank handle attached to
the axle of a cylindrical drum or winch.
 The crank is used to turn the winch.
 Is used to pull or lift an object.
 Formula:
 The most important mechanism.
o F x BF = R x B R
 Translation: mecanisme biela- manovella
o F = (R x BR) / BF
 This is composed of a crank and a rod
 Uses: roller blinds, coffee grinders, cranes
called a connecting rod or link and a
and crushing machines
slider.
 The rod has articulated at each end. One
is connected to the Crank. And the other
to the slider.
 The slider outputs reciprocating motion

 This is a set of connected rod attached to

a joined axle.
 A crankshaft transforms the rotary motion
of an axle into a reciprocating motion with
different connecting rods.
 Uses: in combustion engines.
 Translation: cigonyal.
 This is a rotating shape that pushes a
“follower” as it moves.
 A cam transforms rotary motion into
reciprocating motion in the follower

 This consists of a wheel with an off- centre rotation axle.

 It transforms the rotary motion of the wheel into
reciprocating motion in the follower of connecting rod