Introduction to Theory of Machines and Mechanisms-II

This article belongs to series “Mechanical Engineering Guide“. You can easily access other articles at QUICK LINKS page. Here, I have written as per syllabus of University of Pune. Though, syllabus may differ from university to university and even syllabus may change but basic knowledge of subject remains the same. I guess, wherever one must be studying have to get same knowledge, just names of subject and time may change. According to University of Pune and my batch, this subject comes in Third Year, 1st semester.

This is IInd part of Theory of Machines and Mechanisms. This is a lot interesting subject than that of Ist part of the same. Reason is definitely various parts of this which are very common in day to day life. In simple words, we can find practical applications easily and widely.

Here are the Major Facts from the Subject:

• Friction: Its really kind of simple and important topic. Generally we study it from Junior College level. From simple dry friction it extends up to friction between screw and nut and friction in mechanisms. So, becomes more and more practical and applicable.
• Belt and Rope Drive: It covers three major kinds of belt drives viz. Flat Belt, V belt and Rope Drive and their calculations, designs etc. We need to study power transmission capacity of belts, slip and creep phenomenon etc.
• Friction Clutches: As name suggests it covers major and basic kinds of clutches as, cone clutch, centrifugal clutch, Single and Multiplate clutch.
• Brakes and Dynamo meters: Basically brakes calculations starts from belt and rope drive concepts and they take their own shape and we move towards braking. There are various types in brakes like shoe brakes, block brakes, external and internal shoe brakes and Band Brakes.
• Cams and Followers: Cam is very important timing mechanism in the I.C. Engine. There are huge variety of Cams as per their application needs. Designing of cam is covered in the topic and its really very interesting.
• Flywheel: Flywheel is basic kind of temporary power storage unit. It have major applications in fluctuating kind of rotational motion elements like I.C.Engines. Though, concept is very simple and easily grasped problems of the subject are of huge variety and needs much practice.
• Governor: First of all its not a person. Its controlling mechanism which governs the I.C.Engine. I feel it difficult than flywheel topic. It needs simple formulas like centrifugal force to difficult.
• Gears: Whenever we think of mechanical engineering, we visualize gears. Here we encounter with gears for almost first time. This is pretty big and good topic. Its divisions are made according to types of gears like Spur Gear, Helical Gear, Spiral Gears, Worm Gears, Bevel Gears and Finally Gear Train. Difficulty level grows from spur gear to list. This is my personal feeling about the gears and it may change from person to person, so don’t panic.

So, I guess, I have made enough introduction of Theory of Machines and Mechanisms here. This was one of favorite subjects for me.

Thanks for Reading.