Mechanical systems and mechanical advantages

• Output force


  The force resulting from the system
• Mechanical advantage

  Mechanical systems multiply the input force (effort) to produce a much larger output force (load)
• When you design a mechanical system, it is important to know the mechanical advantage that the system will provide
• Input force

  The force applied to the system
• Complex machines are made up of combinations of simple mechanisms
• Mechanical advantage


  The ratio of the output force to the input force
• People design tools and mechanisms to help them do tasks more easily
• Output force

  The load that the system can handle
• If you know what the input and output force is, you can calculate how much mechanical advantage a system should provide
• Mechanical systems use force and movement to achieve mechanical advantage
• Input force

  The effort applied to the system
• A backhoe loader has a mechanical advantage of 44
• Mechanical advantage

  • Output force = Mechanical advantage x Input force