Problem 02

The Leverage

E112
Engineering Design
Simple Machines
• A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the
direction or magnitude of a force.

• It uses mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply

the effects of an applied force to do work.

• It uses a single applied force to do work against a single load

force.

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Mechanical Advantage (MA)

Applies to both ideal Applies to the ideal case where

and real cases. frictional losses are negligible.

• MA = Mechanical Advantage.
• Output force = Force at the output
doing work against the load.
• Input force = Force that is directly
applied (also known as the effort).

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Types of Simple Machine
There are 6 main types of simple machine:
• Lever
• Screw
• Wedge
• Inclined Plan
• Wheel & Axle
• Pulley

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Some Practical Uses

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Types of Levers

“ Give me a place to stand,

and I shall move the earth with a lever.”
Archimedes, 3th century BC

• A lever is a rigid body that is used with a pivot (also called

fulcrum) to multiply the effect of an applied force (also called
effort) on a heavier load force.

• Levers can be categorised into 3 different classes

(1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class).

• The class of a lever depends on the locations of the effort and

the load force relative to the fulcrum.

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Types of Levers
1st Class Lever
• Pivot (fulcrum) located between the applied force (effort) and
load.
• Examples include see-saw, crowbar, can-opener, pliers and
scissors.

Effort

Fulcrum

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Types of Levers
2nd Class Lever
• Load is located between the applied force (effort) and pivot
(fulcrum).
• Examples include wheelbarrow, nutcracker and hole
puncher.

Fulcrum
Effort

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Types of Levers
3rd Class Lever
• Applied force (effort) is located between the load and pivot
(fulcrum).
• Examples include tweezers, nail clippers and mouse traps.

Fulcrum Effort

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How Lever Works
• Using 1st Class lever as an example:

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Calculation Example
• Sum of clockwise moments = Sum of anticlockwise moments.
• Force x distance between force and pivot = Load x distance
between load and pivot
100 x 4 = Load x 2.5
• Hence, the load = 160N.

• Using this 1st class lever, with a force of 100N, we can lift a load
of 160N.
• The mechanical advantage is 160/100 = 1.6.

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Relationship Between Force & Distance
• Looking at Q5 and Q6 in the worksheet, we can conclude that
although less force is required to move the load, but the applied
force need to be applied over a long distance. (There is no free
lunch!)

• In summary,
• Work done = Force x Distance travelled in direction of force.
• Work done by the load = Work done by applied force.
• Distance covered by applied force = Distance travelled by
the load x Mechanical Advantage.

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Preparation for P03 and P04
Before you come for E112 P03 and P04, please go to the following
link to download and install the program “Inventor Professional” and
“AutoCAD”:

http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/inventor-
professional

http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/autocad

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Learning Objectives
• Know what are simple machines.
• Understand what is mechanical advantage.
• Know the different classes of levers and how they work.
• Understand how to calculate the distance moved by the load
and the applied force.
• Recognize mechanism practicality and suitability for the design
function.

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