HmHow Can I Calculate Force Exerted by a Moving Element?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the force exerted by a moving element in the context of designing a fixture for a slider mechanism. Participants explore different approaches to determine the force involved, particularly in relation to a spring mechanism that loads the slider.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using the Kinetic Energy Equation, stating that it can provide the force exerted upon impact.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the specific application of the fixture and the nature of the forces involved in the slider mechanism.
  • Zirok clarifies that the slider weighs 1 kg and is loaded by a spring, expressing concern about the force and travel required to design the spring appropriately.
  • A later reply explains that the extension of the spring is proportional to the force exerted, introducing the relationship F = kx, where k is the spring constant.
  • One participant requests further elaboration on the system to better understand the mechanics involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single formula or method for calculating the force. Multiple viewpoints and approaches are presented, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about the spring constant and the specific conditions under which the force is calculated. The relationship between the spring's extension and the force exerted is mentioned but not fully explored.

Zirok
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Hi

In my shop, i have to design a fixture & want to calculate the force exerted by a moving element.

Can anyone let me know the simpliest formula to calculate force ?

Zirok
 
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I would use the Kinetic Energy Equation - Ke = 0.5 * mass * velocity^2

This gives you the N per m^2 the object will exert if its hits something.
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi Zirok! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Force isn't necessarily the important issue.

Can you be more specific about what this fixture is, and why you're worrying about it hitting something?
 
Actually its a slider mechanism.


Slider weighing 1 kg is been loaded by a spring mechanism. To deisgn spring,I am concerned about what amount of force & what travel will be involved so as to design the spring accordingly.

Thanks
Zirok.
 
I don´t understand the system. Could you please eleborate?
 
Zirok said:
Actually its a slider mechanism.

Slider weighing 1 kg is been loaded by a spring mechanism.

To deisgn spring,I am concerned about what amount of force & what travel will be involved so as to design the spring accordingly.

Hi Zirok! :smile:

The extension of the spring is proportional to the force exerted by the spring (which is the same as the tension or compression in the spring).

"Extension" means the difference between the "relaxed" length of the spring and its actual length under force.

So if the "relaxed" length is a, and you exert a force F on it, so that the length changes to a + x (x will be negative if the force is "inwards"), then F = kx, where k is the spring constant for this particular spring.​

(If the spring doesn't come with a spring constant marked on it, you can find it by testing it with some known weights … lay the spring horizontally on a table, and attach known weights to it on the end of a string running over the end of the table)
 
Hm...

Getting your point.

Zirok
 

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