Machine part ABC is supported by a frictionless hinge

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mechanical problem involving a machine part ABC supported by a frictionless hinge and a wedge. Participants are attempting to determine the force required to move the wedge and the reaction forces at the hinge, while addressing the role of static friction in the system.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Participant link13 describes the setup involving a frictionless hinge at B, a wedge at C, and a horizontal force at A, and expresses uncertainty about calculating the normal force needed to find friction.
  • Another participant suggests that to find the normal force, one should consider the components normal to the surface and equate them to zero, indicating a common approach in static equilibrium problems.
  • Link13 questions whether using the moment about point B would help in finding the normal force, showing an attempt to apply principles of static equilibrium.
  • There is a request for clarification about the configuration of the machine part and the wedge, indicating some confusion about the problem setup.
  • A participant provides a description of the system, clarifying the positions of the forces and the wedge, and suggests a method to find the vertical reactions and friction forces before determining the force P and the reaction at B.
  • Link13 expresses that they believe they have understood the problem better after receiving assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are varying levels of understanding and different approaches suggested for solving the problem. Uncertainty remains regarding the application of static friction and the calculation of forces.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the problem setup, as participants express confusion about the configuration and the role of the wedge and forces involved. The discussion also reflects a dependency on visual aids for better understanding.

link13
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The machine part ABC is supported by a frictionless hinge at B and a 10degree wedge at C. There is also a 120 lb force pushing to the right of point A. Knowing that the coefficient of static friction is 0.20 at both surfaces of the wedge, determine (a) the force P required to move the wedge to the left, (b) the components of the corresponding reaction at B.

I found the moment about C to be Mc=(-Byx10)+(-120x8)=> By=-96N
But I'm not sure where to go from there : /
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi link13! Welcome to PF! :wink:
link13 said:
I found the moment about C to be Mc=(-Byx10)+(-120x8)=> By=-96N
But I'm not sure where to go from there : /

You haven't used µ = 0.2 yet …

show us what equations you get, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 


thats where I got stuck actually : / I know that to find the friction you would have to have a normal force to multiply M=0.2 by, I'm just not sure how to find the normal force : /
 
link13 said:
… I'm just not sure how to find the normal force : /

Hi link13! :smile:

Acceleration normal to the surface is usually zero, so you usually find the normal force by taking components normal to the surface, and equating to zero. :wink:
 


So would the Moment about B or Mb = (-120x8) + (Nx10) work to find the normal force?
 
link13 said:
So would the Moment about B or Mb = (-120x8) + (Nx10) work to find the normal force?

(just got up :zzz: …)

Sorry, I'm confused because I don't really understand what the thing looks like,

(what shape is ABC? where is the wedge? is it fixed? etc :confused:)

but I don't see 10º or µ anywhere in that, so I'll assume it's wrong.
 
link13 said:

link13, that's hilarious … however did you think we were going to get that from your description?! :smile:

ok, a horizontal force P is trying to push a wedge to the left (at C), the top of the wedge slopes down to the left at 10º, and is held in position by pressure on its upper surface from an L-shaped object hinged at B (10 in. to the left of C) and pushed to the right by a horizontal force at A (8 in. above B).

Since the wedge is (obviously) not accelerating vertically, the net vertical force on it is zero, so the vertical reactions on both the upper and lower surfaces must be the same.

Find that reaction by considering the forces on ABC. Then find the friction forces. Then find P and the reaction at B. :smile:
 


alright i think i got got it now! Thanks! : )
 

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