• Mechanical Function: – The role that any part plays inside an object.

• The four Basic Mechanical Functions are:

1. Links

2. Guidance

3. Friction / adhesion (EST)

4. Lubrication (EST)

1. Permanent or Removable?

2. Fixed (Complete) or Moveable (Partial)?

3. Direct or Indirect?

4. Rigid or Flexible (Elastic)?

Link: connect, fasten, or put together two or more pieces:

a fastener that serves to join or connect; (wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn)

1. Permanent or Removable?

Can the object be taken apart without

causing damage to the object?

No - The link is considered permanent.

Yes – The link is considered removable

A rivet A nut and bolt

Permanent Removable

1. Permanent or Removable?

Can the object be taken apart without

causing damage to the object?

Nut and bolt Rivet

2. Fixed (Complete) or Moveable (Partial)?

Is movement possible between the two

parts?

No - The link is considered fixed (complete).

Yes – The link is considered moveable (partial).

Screwdriver handle and shaft Scissors

Moveable Fixed

3. Direct or Indirect?

Do the parts require something else to

hold them together?

No - The link is considered direct.

Yes – The link is considered indirect.

Tupperware lid and bowl

two pieces of wood glued

or screwed together. Direct

Indirect

4. Rigid or Flexible (Elastic)?

Is the fastener that links the parts

together flexible ?

No - The link is considered rigid.

Yes – The link is considered flexible.

ordinary hinges

Shock absorber

Tupper Ware lid .

Rigid

Flexible

Flexible

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the handle and the punch is:

?

permanent or removable,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the handle and the punch is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the handle and the punch is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

FIXED or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the handle and the punch is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

FIXED or moveable,

DIRECT or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the handle and the punch is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

FIXED or moveable,

DIRECT or indirect,

RIGID or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the top handle is:

?

permanent or removable,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the top handle is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the top handle is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the top handle is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

direct or INDIRECT,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the top handle is:

?

PERMANENT or removable,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

direct or INDIRECT,

RIGID or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the receptacle is:

?

permanent or removable,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the receptacle is:

?

permanent or REMOVABLE,

fixed or moveable,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the receptacle is:

?

permanent or REMOVABLE,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

direct or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the receptacle is:

?

permanent or REMOVABLE,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

DIRECT or indirect,

rigid or flexible,

.

The types of « Links » between Parts

The “link” between the bottom handle and the receptacle is:

?

permanent or REMOVABLE,

fixed or MOVEABLE,

DIRECT or indirect,

rigid or FLEXIBLE,

.

• Guidance is the function of a part that directs

another part along a specific path.

• Guidance dictates whether the motion is either

rotational (ex: wheel and axle) or translational

(ex: sliding drawer)

• Guidance and Links between parts allow for the

suppression of motion that would otherwise

impede the proper function of the mechanism.

• 3 Types of Guidance:

Translational Rotational Helical

Ensures translational

motion of a moving

part

Ensures rotational

motion of a moving

part

Ensures the rotational

and translational motion

of a moving part

• Clearance refers to the space between two

parts.

– Sufficient clearance allows for motion between the

parts.

– Insufficient clearance

may impede or

prevent motion.

– Excessive clearance

may permit

unwanted motion.

• A seal is a part who’s function is to prevent a fluid

from escaping its container.

– A seal may be obtained by simple contact, but more

often by the insertion of a compressible material.