Unit 7 Electronic and Mechanical Systems

Question 1

What are the different mechanical components?

Answer 1

• Chains
• Gears
• Springs

Question 2

What are chains?

Answer 2

• Roller chains are made up of metal links that are pinned together to form a loop
• Transfer rotary motion from one sprocket to another
• Sold by width and pitch (distance between the centres of the pins)
• Only come in standard lengths - may have to add or remove some links to make it the length you need

Question 3

What are gears?

Answer 3

• Come in a variety of widths
• Different number of teeth -> change speed of rotation in a gear train
• Different types of gear will have different tooth shapes that interlock in different ways

Question 4

What are springs?

Answer 4

• 2 major types you can buy: compression spring (resist compression) and extension spring (resist extension)
• Found with different lengths, widths, and number of coils
• Can affect the spring rate of the spring i.e. how easy it is to stretch or compress