A technician is selecting a bench vise to clamp heavy metal parts securely. They want to use the vise that provides the greatest mechanical advantage, meaning it requires the least amount of effort force on the handle to generate a strong clamping force. If all available vises have the exact same handle length, which of the following thread designs should the technician choose?
- A design with a smaller thread pitch (more threads per inch)Answer
- BA design with a larger thread pitch (fewer threads per inch)
- CA design that uses left-handed threads instead of right-handed threads
- DA design with a thicker solid central threaded shaft
Answer
A design with a smaller thread pitch (more threads per inch)
A screw is essentially an inclined plane wrapped around a central cylinder. The thread pitch is the linear distance between adjacent threads. A smaller thread pitch represents a less steep inclined plane, meaning the vise jaw advances a shorter distance for each full revolution of the handle. Because the jaw moves less distance per turn, the effort force required to turn the handle is reduced, resulting in a higher ideal mechanical advantage and a stronger clamping force.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Mechanical Advantage of Screws
Estimated Time:45s