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Links
Wheel & Axle
Pulley System
Wedge
Inventor's Toolbox
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Wheel and Axle
In this machine a wheel or spoke is locked to a central axle so that
when one is turned the other must turn. A longer motion at the edge of
the wheel is converted to a shorter more powerful motion at the axle.
In reverse, a short powerful force at the axle will move the wheel's
edge a greater distance.
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Pulley System
A single pulley simply reverses the direction of a force. When two or
more pulleys are connected together, they permit a heavy load to be
lifted with less force. The trade-off is that the end of the rope must
move a greater distance than the load.
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Wedge
A wedge converts motion in one direction into a splitting motion that
acts at right angles to the blade. Nearly all cutting machines use the
wedge. A lifting machine may use a wedge to get under a load. |
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