Mechanical Technology

The technology of combining moving parts to control forces and produce desired motion.

me·chan·i·cal en·gi·neer·ing

noun

    1. the branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and use of machines.
    2. Mechanical engineers design power-producing machines, such as electric generators, internal combustion engines, and steam and gas turbines, as well as power-using machines, such as refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Mechanical engineers design other machines inside buildings, such as elevators and escalators.

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.

To become an mechanical engineer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. All states require mechanical engineers who sell services to the public to be licensed.

A Mechanical Engineer earns an average salary of $66,890 per year. Most people move on to other jobs if they have more than 20 years' experience in this career. Experience has a moderate effect on income for this job.the branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and use of machines.

Mechanical Technology – The technology of putting moving parts together to produce, control and transmit motion. (Car transmission – gears, bicycle breaks – lever, washing machine agitator – screw, doorknob – wheel and axle)

History of Mechanical Technology

Prime Movers - the part that converts another form of energy into mechanical motion (kinetic energy). Engines, motors, pistons, and solenoids are common examples of prime movers.

Simple Machines - Basic mechanical devises that can control motion, change the direction of motion, multiply the force, or multiply the speed/distance of a motion. Common simple machines are inclined plane, wedge, screw, lever, wheel & axle, and pulleys.

Linkages & Mechanisms - Mechanical devises made up of several parts to control motion (not so simple, simple machines). Bell crank, parallel linkage, toggle linkage, and scissors mechanisms are some examples of this.

Machines - Complex mechanical devises that combine simple machines and mechanisms to perform a specific task. Drill press, band saw, lathe, pencil sharpener, and can opener are common examples.

Types of Motion

Linear - moving in a straight line in one direction.

Reciprocating - moving in a straight line forward and backwards repeatedly

Rotary - moving in a circular pattern repeatedly

Oscillating - rotating forward and backwards repeatedly

Irregular - moving in an unpredictable or non-repeating fashion.

Mechanical Advantage

Mechanical advantage is a numerical value denoting how much easier a simple machine make do work. Simple machines can make doing work easier in three ways. Sometimes the only advantage the simple machine is providing is to change the direction of a force or motion (you pull down and the load goes up). Simple machines can be designed to provide a force multiplication where the output force is greater than the amount of force you provide (you push with only 20 pound of force to lift a hundred pound load). Other times simple machines can provide a distance (speed) multiplication where the output distance is greater than the input distance (you push down 2 inches and the load goes up 8 inches). Simple machines that provide a force multiplication will have a mechanical advantage greater than one and the value will state how many time greater the output force will be compared to the input force. Simple machines that provide a distance (speed) multiplication will have a mechanical advantage value greater than zero but less than one. A mechanical advantage of 1 mean that there in no force multiplication and no distance (speed) multiplication.

General Equations of Mechanical Advantage:

    • Mechanical Advantage = LOAD / EFFORT = output force / input force
    • Mechanical Advantage = Input Distance / Output Distance

If MA < 1 than it is providing a distance (speed) multiplication

If MA > 1 than it is providing a force multiplication

If MA = 1 there is no multiplication but it might be changing direction of motion/force.

Mechanical Advantage Equations:

To calculate the mechanical advantage of a simple machine, you will need to know the input and output forces or the input and output distances (speeds). Below are the two general equations for mechanical advantage.

Mechanical Advantage = MA = LOAD / EFFORT or MA = output force / input force

MA = Input Distance / Output Distance = Input Speed / Output Speed

Additional Equations for Specific Simple Machines

Levers: MA = Effort Arm / Load Arm

Inclined Plane MA = horizontal distance / vertical distance

Wedge MA = Length of Wedge / Width of Wedge

Wheel & Axle: MA = Input Diameter / Output Diameter = Input Circumference / Output Circumference

Gears: MA = Input teeth / Output teeth

Pulley: MA = number of rope sections parallel to the output motion (block & tackle)

MA = Output Diameter / Input Diameter (belt driven)