Mechanical Motion

AHL Topic 10
Mechanical Design

Mechanisms are devices that have been

designed to make jobs easier. They all have
certain things in common:
They involve some kind of motion.
They involve some kind of force.
They must have some kind of input to make
them work.
They produce some kind of output.
If we connect mechanisms together we can
build mechanical systems called machines.
Machines help to make our lives easier and
more comfortable.

Linear motion
Linear motion is motion in a straight line. Steady linear motion
is known as velocity (uniform motion in a straight line).
An example of linear motion is the cutting arm of a paper
guillotine (photo below) as it travels from one side of the
machine to the other.

Rotary Motion
Motion in a circle is called rotary motion.
The number of complete revolutions made
per minute (rpm), is called rotary velocity.

Intermittent Motion
Intermittent motion is motion which starts and stops regularly.
For example, in a cinema projector the film needs to be
moved on one frame at a time then held stationary while the
light projects it onto the screen. This is usually done with a
Geneva stop as shown here.

Intermittent motion is usually the end result of a mechanism rather

than the starting point for conversion.

Oscillating Motion
Oscillating motion
is motion
backwards and
forwards in a
circular arc. E.g.
playground swings
(photo) and clock
pendulums.

Reciprocating Motion
Reciprocating motion is linear
motion backwards and
forwards in a straight in a
straight line. Sewing machines
make use of this type of
motion.

Jigsaws and scroll saws which

are often used in school
workshops have blades that
cut by reciprocating motion.

Irregular Motion
Irregular motion is motion
which has no obvious
pattern to its movement. It
is often needed in
automata to recreate the
movements of living
things.
Irregular motion is usually
created using a cam or
series of cams

Linkages
Linkages are used in mechanical
control systems to allow forces
and motion to be transmitted to
where they are needed. They
consist of a series of levers
which can change the direction
of a movement, alter the size of
a force or make things move in a
particular way.
Reverse Motion Linkages are
used to change the direction of
motion. A single lever with a pivot
at its centre reverses an input
motion without affecting the input
force. The input force and length
of transmitted movement can be
increased or decreased by
altering the position of the pivot.

Mechanical Motion in Context

Discuss the following products, what motions do they use?

Hydraulic digger
Bicycle
Hand drill

Car Jack

Torque

Definition:
Rotational force commonly measured in
units of Newton metres.
A simple example is to look at what happens when
a nut is tightened by a spanner.
A force F (newtons) is applied by hand at a
distance r (metres) from the centre of the nut.
F x r = Torque (Nm)
100 x 0.2 = 20Nm (newton metres)
If the same force is applied to a longer spanner at distance r from the centre of
rotation, the torque is greater.

Ratchet and Pawl

In mechanical engineering, a ratchet is a device
that allows linear or rotary motion in only one
direction, while preventing motion in the
opposite direction. Ratchets are used in many
other mechanisms, including clocks, capstans,
turnstiles, spanners, winders, cable ties, jacks,
screwdrivers, and hoists. The term is also used
for a socket wrench.
Ratchets consist of a
gearwheel or linear rack
with teeth, and a
pivoting spring-loaded
finger called a pawl that
engages the teeth.

Cams
A Cam is a machine
component that either
rotates or moves back
and forth (reciprocates)
to create a prescribed
motion in a contacting
element known as a
follower. The shape of
the contacting surface of
the cam is determined
by the prescribed motion
and the profile of the
follower.

Cam followers

As the cam turns, driven by the circular

motion, the cam follower traces the
surface of the cam transmitting its
motion to the required mechanism.

Cam follower design is important in the way the profile of the cam is
followed. A fine pointed follower will more accurately trace the outline
of the cam. This more accurate movement is at the expense of the
strength of the cam follower.

Conversion of motion

Mechanisms can be used to convert one

form of motion into another
REMEMBER: A rack and pinion is a pair
of gears which convert rotational motion
into linear motion.
A bell crank is a type of crank that
changes motion around a 90
degree angle.

Toggle clamp

Toggle clamps
Toggle clamps are used to lock things into position. They are quick to use and it
is possible to obtain a large clamping forces.
Industry makes considerable use of toggle clamps to secure work being
machined, pressed or formed.
A toggle clamp usually consists of two links
on a common pivot. The free end of one link
is attached to a fixed pivot. The free end of
the second lever is constrained to move in a
straight line.
When a force is applied to the common pivot,
the lower end of the toggle clamp is pushed
downwards against the item being clamped.
The clamp locks in position once the common
pivot is pushed slightly 'over centre', usually
against a stop.
Only by applying a force from the side can the
clamp be unlocked.
The toggle principle is used on push chairs to
hold them open in use.

Parallel Motion
Parallel linkages are used to make two or more parts of a mechanism
move together and stay parallel to each other as the linkage moves.
The photo shows a petrol engine cross cut wood saw. Rotary motion
from the engine output shaft is transformed into reciprocating motion
through a crank and slider. This reciprocating motion is then
transmitted to the saw blade via a parallel motion linkage.

Treadle linkage
A treadle linkage
changes either
rotary to oscillating
motion or oscillating
to rotary motion. It
can be used to
power a rotary
machine by working
the treadle by foot.

Bell Crank
Bell Cranks are useful for changing the direction of motion or
transmitting it round a corner. E.g. mountain bike brakes.

The photo on the right shows a bell

crank linkage connecting the foot
brake pedal in a car to the front and
back drum brakes.

To see a range of simple animations and

further explanations of mechanical motion
visit the following website:

www.flying-pig.co.uk