How does friction affect the force distribution in a wedge?

  • Thread starter MatsNorway
  • Start date
In summary, my collegues claim that the highest force you can get out of a wedge is the one you put in on the top, while I claim that the wedge can push more to the side the thinner it is. To simplify matters, we say no friction on any surface. My issue is that I can`t get a good source on how to do the vectors on the wedge. I found a ton of articles on it, but none of them explains it the way I want.
  • #1
MatsNorway
35
1
Hi

I have the last days had lots of discussion about wedges on work. All of my collegues claim that the higest force your able to get out of a wedge is the one you put in on the top. While i claim that the wedge can push more to the side the thinner it is.

To simplify matters we say no friction on any surface.

My issue is that i can`t get a good source on how to do the vectors on the wedge.

Initial thread on my regular forum.
http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=181135

My only decent source.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_(mechanical_device)
 
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  • #3
Does it even matter if the wedge is moving?

The Force in x direction will allways be bigger surely.. Unless the angle is greater than 45 degrees or there is friction in play.

I found a ton of articles on it.http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mechanics/incline.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6544271_calculate-mechanical-advantage-wedge.html

http://www.accessscience.com/abstract.aspx?id=743200&referURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.accessscience.com%2fcontent.aspx%3fid%3d743200 [Broken]

http://www.accessscience.com/loadBinary.aspx?aID=5067&filename=743200FG0010.gif [Broken]http://www.crsep.org/PerplexingPairs/SimpleMachinesPart5.Aprl01.pdf“A knife cutting butter functions in the same way. You push downward on the top of the butter
with a knife. The butter is not crushed under the edge of the knife, it is pushed apart into two
pieces as the knife moves through it.”

http://weirdrichard.com/wedge.htm [Broken]Every article talks about ratios.. I think there should be some about the graphical way of doing it. Its not like all wedges are perfectly straight. or a simple wedge shape.
 
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  • #4
Assume that the wedge is symmetric about its center plane and the included angle of the wedge is 2θ. Assume that the wedge has penetrated an arbitrary distance into the work, and that the work is in contact with the wedge over the length of penetration. Do a force balance on the wedge. Since you are assuming no friction, the contact forces of the work on the wedge are perpendicular to the wedge surface. Resolve these forces into components in the vertical and horizontal directions. Set the sum of these components equal to the applied vertical force. See what you get.
 
  • #5
Symmetrical wedge. The 2θ i don`t get/understand what is.

The way i read you makes me think its this one. (its a wedge with a stripe in the middle) i calculated only one side. with half the total angle of the wedge. 20degrees total.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72823890/1289_001.pdf [Broken]
 
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  • #6
Yes. That's what I had in mind.

Chet
 
  • #7
You claim my setup on that wedge is correct? everything?

Is there any situasjon the loads would split in a different manner? movement etc?
 
  • #8
MatsNorway: Your solution in the attached file in post 5 currently appears correct.

The only minor "mistake" is, you should reverse the direction of the arrowheads on your F2, F3, Fx1, and Fx2 force vectors. Why? Because your free body currently appears to be the wedge.
 
  • #9
MatsNorway said:
You claim my setup on that wedge is correct? everything?

Is there any situasjon the loads would split in a different manner? movement etc?

You were interested in the basic picture, and this is it. I can't possibly think of all the other possible situations that you might think up. For example, if you add in friction, the results change. If you tilt the wedge the results change. If you change the basic geometry of the wedge the results change. If you do it under water, the results change. You get the idea. Your question is too general.
 
  • #10
nvn said:
MatsNorway: Your solution in the attached file in post 5 currently appears correct.

The only minor "mistake" is, you should reverse the direction of the arrowheads on your F2, F3, Fx1, and Fx2 force vectors. Why? Because your free body currently appears to be the wedge.

Why? is it wrong to display the reactionary forces? This is the forces the wedge is giving out.

Counter forces should be separate i think.

But thank you
 
  • #11
MatsNorway: You chose the wedge to be your free body, in your free-body diagram. In a free-body diagram (FBD), one shows the forces acting on the free body. When you do this, if the object is in equilibrium, then the summation of horizontal forces will equal zero, the summation of vertical forces will equal zero, and the summation of moment will equal zero.
 
  • #12
One of my collegues just came to me and said he had been thinking about it. And he agrees now so I am very happy. He also displayed how you go about getting the moment to zero. Pick a point and work around that basically. I am going to throw this in everyones faces now.

Thank you for you help everyone.

I think these two are close to how they should be. Main input force and the forces needed to keep it in steady state.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72823890/1299_001.pdf [Broken]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72823890/1300_001.pdf [Broken]
 
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  • #13
MatsNorway: Nice work. Your solutions in both attached files in post 12 currently appear correct. I usually like to also write out the fundamental equilibrium equations. Below is the summation of vertical (V) forces, and the summation of horizontal (H) forces.

∑ V = 0 = -F1 + F2.
Therefore, F2 = F1.
But F2 = Fh*sin(θ).
Therefore, Fh = F1/sin(θ).

∑ H = 0 = Fxv - Fxh.
Therefore, Fxv = Fxh.
But Fxh = Fh*cos(θ).

Therefore, Fxh = Fh*cos(θ) = [F1/sin(θ)]*cos(θ) = F1/tan(θ) = (10 N)/tan(20 deg) = 27.5 N.
 
  • #15
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/72823890/1363_001.pdf [Broken]

So now I am curious about friction. I have reasoned that the friction angle is a handy thing. I think it should be doable to subtract its angle from one of the sides of the triangle of forces. As suggested in the pdf above. the dotted lines are the resultant force with the friction added. the bigger the friction the smaller the force to the side. And if the friction is small enough. you get no side forces.
 
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1. What is a wedge and how does it work?

A wedge is a simple machine consisting of a triangular-shaped tool with a sharp edge at one end and a wide surface at the other. It works by using the sharp edge to apply a force to an object, causing it to split or move apart.

2. What are some examples of wedges in everyday life?

Some common examples of wedges include knives, axes, chisels, doorstops, and even teeth. Wedges are also used in many mechanical devices, such as scissors and car brakes.

3. How do wedges make work easier?

Wedges make work easier by reducing the amount of force needed to move or separate objects. By concentrating force over a smaller area, wedges can easily split or cut through materials that would be difficult to move or manipulate with our bare hands.

4. What is the difference between a wedge and a lever?

While both are simple machines, a wedge and a lever work in different ways. A wedge uses a downward force to push objects apart, while a lever uses a pivot point and a lever arm to lift or move objects. Additionally, wedges have a fixed shape, while levers can have different configurations depending on the desired outcome.

5. Can wedges be used for more than just splitting or cutting?

Yes, wedges have a variety of uses beyond splitting or cutting. They can also be used to hold objects in place, such as doorstops or staples, or to change the direction of a force, such as in a screw or door hinge. Wedges can also be used in combination with other simple machines to create more complex mechanisms.

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