1Introduction to Mechanisms and Machines
Mechanical systems come in many shapes and forms, and they have various definitions. Before we can start making machines, we need to know what we’re talking about:
• A mechanism is an assembly of moving parts.
• A machine is any device that helps you do work, from a hammer to a bicycle. A hammer is a machine because it makes your arm longer, so you can do more work.
In this book, we use the mechanical definition of work:
Work = Force × Distance
Force (F) equals mass (m) times acceleration (a), and is written as F = ma (also known as Newton’s second law).
For example, imagine that you’re stomping on a bunch of grapes to make wine. The force the grapes feel when you stand still is equal to your weight, ...
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