ME 371 Study Guide - Final Guide: Leadscrew, Thread Angle, Mechanical Advantage
6 Jan 2021
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Document Summary
Threaded components are characterized by helical ledges that spiral around a central cylinder. The mechanical advantage provided by these features classifies them as one of the classical simple machines. Consider the function of the leveling feet on a home appliance like an oven. When the leveling foot is rotated, it translates vertically, allowing the refrigerator to spread the weight over all. Thus the first function of a threaded component is to convert motion between rotation and translation (figure 1a). Additionally, the leveling foot threads into a nut on the frame of the oven, and the threads of the leveling foot hold the oven up. Thus the second function of a threaded component is to distribute axial load over multiple threads, which makes for a compact yet strong component (figure 1b). Finally, the central cylinder of the leveling foot has to sustain the weight of the oven without yielding.
