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Gears and
Gearing

A507.12TAY
Project Director Contents
John Taylor
1 Chain drives 1
2 Belt drives 4
Editorial Team 3 Spur gears 11
Jackie Hardie 4 Compound spur gears 13
Peter Llewellyn 5 Worm gears 17
6 Contrate and helical gears 22
Colum Quinn 7 Cams 27
Keith Roberts 8 Design and build problems 31
Acknowledgements — inside back cover
Language Consultant
Grahame Mitchell

This book from an original manuscript by

B. Lord, H. O'Neil and D. Hallsworth.

The publishers wish to thank Meccano

Limited for their help in preparing this
book, checking its accuracy and supplying
many of the photographs.

LIBRARY
© 1979 by Addison-Wesley Publishers Limited
West End House, 11 Hills Place, London W1R 2LR
8ULKERSHE
Philippines copyright 1979 by Addison-Wesley CO!'EGE OF
Publishers Limited. i:*: EDUCATION
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written
permission of the publisher.

ISBN 201 140063

d__ _-...-..
|iCL.A?5 Fo:
TELEPEN
Designed, set and illustrated by Parkway Group and printed 12433303
in Great Britain by Pindar Print, Scarborough.

ABCDEF 79
 K\/\
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A
"»„—*

Chain drives

Apparatus rhl<: * i° to bp returned on or before

* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 2 axle rods and collars * spannei
* 25 mm sprocket gear * 50 mm sprocket gear * nuts and bolts
* length of chain * screwdriver

You are going to make a chain drive and find out how it works.

A Make a box, as shown. Use 2 flat plates and Screw each sprocket gear to an axle.
4 double angle strips.

C Push the axles through the sides of the box. D Put a length of chain around the 2 sprocket
Fix a collar to each axle. gears. Put a pencil mark at the top of each gear.
collar

top view

E Count the teeth on each gear. Turn the axle of the small gear. Watch
what happens to the large gear. Then turn the axle of the large gear.

Q1 Which axle is easier to turn? How many times do you need to

turn the axle of the small gear to
Q2 Which axle turns faster? make the large gear go round
National STEM Centre
once?
N23555
Chain drives

Information: Chain in use

The bicycle uses a chain drive. It is the larger sprocket gear which is driven
by the rider. If the bicycle has different gears, the rider can change gear as
he travels along. If he rides up a hill, he will change gear and use a larger
sprocket on the rear wheel hub. To ride quickly on aflat surface, he will choose
a smaller sprocket on the rear wheel hub. A bicycle with 5 different size
sprockets on the rear wheel has 5 different gear ratios.

rear wheel

sprocket driven by pedals

Bicycle in low speed gear for climbing hills. Bicycle in high speed gear for travelling quickly on
flat ground.

Sometimes bicycles are fitted with 2 different sprocket gears connected to

the pedals. If a bicycle also has 5 different sprocket gears on the rear wheel
hub, it has a total of 10 possible gear ratios.

The timing chain on a car connects the crankshaft A chain drive connects a motorcycle's engine and
of the engine to the camshaft. There are usually rear wheel. A motorcycle has a gearbox with a
twice as many teeth on the camshaft sprocket as more complicated gear system than a bicycle.
on the crankshaft sprocket.
 Chain drives

Apparatus
* Meccano parts * electric motor * dry cell batteries * length of chain
* nuts and bolts * spanner * screwdriver

You are going to design and make a chain-driven vehicle.

A Design a vehicle with B Make the vehicle from

an electric motor, chain your design. Change the
drive and large sprocket on design if the model does
the axle.'Write down the not work at first.
parts you will need.

C Here is an idea for the model:

Write down how you designed Why is it better to have the

and made your model. What smaller sprocket gear fixed to
changes did you make in your the motor?
design?
Q7 Is it possible to make the model
Q5 Make a drawing of your model. go backwards?
 Belt drives
Making and investigating a belt drive
Apparatus
* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 4 different pulleys labelled W, X, Y and Z
* 2 axle rods with collars * drive belt * nuts and bolts * spanner
* screwdriver * ruler

You are going to make a belt drive and find out how it works.

Q1 Copy this table.

A Make a box, as shown. B Screw pulley W and Push the axles into the
Use 2 flat plates and 4 double j pulley X onto axles. box. Fix a collar to each axle.
angle strips.
 Belt drives

D Put a belt drive over the 2 pulleys. Put a pencil E Turn pulley W round 10 times. Count how
mark (arrow) on each pulley, as shown. many times X goes round. Record your results in
the table.

F Measure the diameter of both pulleys. Record G Repeat steps B to G with the other pulleys
your results in the table. listed in the table. Each time, record your results
in the table.

12 What happens to a large pulley when it is driven by a

small one?
13 If you turn one pulley clockwise, which way does the
other pulley turn?

How many times would pulley X turn if pulley W had

been turned 100 times?
Q5 Look at your table of results. When pulley W is turned
10 times what do you notice about the diameters of
pulleys X, Y and Z and the number of times they turn?

Q6 Copy this table. Then fill in the missing numbers.

Belt drives

Belt drives are often used in modern machines.

One of the pulleys is attached to a motor. The
second pulley is attached to something that needs
to be turned.
The drum of a washing machine is turned by an
electric motor. The motor is connected to the drum
by pulleys and a drive belt.

spinning

Some vacuum cleaners have belt drives. An

electric motor turns a metal shaft. The metal shaft
has a fan and a pulley on it. The fan sucks the dirt
into a bag. The pulley is connected to the brushes
by a thick rubber belt. The belt drives the brushes
which beat the dust and dirt out of the carpet.

fan
metal shaft
small pulley
rubber belt
pulley

brushes

The fan belt in a car is driven by the engine. It goes © BRITISH LEYLAND CARS LIMITED
round 2 other pulleys. One pulley turns both the fan this pulley turns fan and water pump
and the water pump. They help to stop the engine
overheating. The other pulley is part of the
dynamo or generator. This provides the car with this pulley drives
electricity. dynamo ————
If the fan belt snapped the car would soon overheat
and breakdown.

this pulley turned by engine

 Belt drives

The DAF Variomatic car has a belt drive instead of

a gearbox. The pulleys change diameter as the car
moves. The car changes gear without the driver
doing anything. driven pulley

driving pulley

In some car engines, a belt with teeth on it is used

instead of a chain to drive the camshaft. The teeth
on the belt fit exactly into the slots on the pulleys.

Q7 If the pulley turned by the engine of a car is smaller

than the dynamo pulley, which will turn faster?

Q8 What are the advantages of belt drives?

Q9 What are the disadvantages of belt drives?

Belt drives

Apparatus

* Meccano parts * electric motor * dry cell batteries * pulleys

* nuts and bolts * spanner * screwdriver

You are going to design and make a model windmill.

Design a very simple

model windmill. Use a belt
drive from the electric
motor to turn the sails very
slowly. Write down the parts
you will need.

Make the windmill from

your design. Change the
design if the model does
not work at first.

Write down how you designed How could you change your
and made your model. What design to make the sails turn as
changes did you make in your fast as the pulley on the motor?
design?
How could you make the sails
Q11 Make a drawing of your model. turn the other way by making a
simple change to the drive?
 Belt drives

'("OS fir- ry Sly u(y;

The gear ratio in a chain drive is the number of teeth on the larger sprocket
divided by the number of teeth on the smaller sprocket. The smaller sprocket
is usually the one turned by the motor, or even by hand.
Axle X turns twice to turn axle Y once.
The gear ratio is
3§ = 2
18 1
or two to one.

sprocket with
18 teeth
sprocket with
36 teeth

If a motor is attached to a small sprocket or pulley, it turns the larger one

more easily. The higher the gear ratio the more leverage the engine will
have. The engine of a car must work hard to start the car moving. A car is
started in first gear with a ratio of about 14:1 overall. This means the
engine's crankshaft turns 14 times for every 1 turn of the road wheels. When
cruising at 100 kph in fourth gear, the overall gear ratio is about 4:1.

In a belt drive, there are no teeth. The gear ratio is worked out by measuring
the diameters of the pulleys. The larger diameter is divided by the smaller
to give the gear ratio.
To turn axle B once, axle A must be turned about 3
times. (Actually, it must be turned a little more than
3 times.)
The gear ratio is
36 = 3
12 1
or three to one.

pulley of
diameter 12 mm

pulley of diameter 36 mm

Q14 If sprocket X in the top diagram had 9 teeth, what

would the gear ratio be?

Q15 If pulley A in the bottom diagram had a diameter of

9 mm, what would the gear ratio be?
Belt drives

Q16 Copy the diagrams of chain and belt drives. Mark on

your diagrams the direction the follower wheel will
turn in each case.

follower follower

12 teeth 30 teeth diameter 12 mm diameter 24 mm

24 teeth
diameter 20 mm

follower

diameter I
5 mm i diameter
diameter 10 mm 12 mm
12 teeth
diameter 10 mm

Q17 Work out the gear ratios for each diagram.

10
 Spur gears

Apparatus

* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 2 axle rods and spring clips
* 4 spur gears: W = 12 mm, X = 38 mm, Y = 17 mm, Z = 32 mm * spanner
* nuts and bolts * screwdriver
You are going to find out how spur gears work.
^t Copy this table.

A Count the teeth on the spur gears and record Screw spur gear W and spur gear X onto axles.
them in your table. Make a box, as shown.

C Push the axles into the box so that the gears D Turn gear W 10 times and count the number
mesh with each other. Fix them in place with of times gear X turns. Record the results in your
spring clips. table. Repeat steps B to D with gears Y and Z.

Q2 From your results, work out the gear ratios of W:X

and Y:Z. (No. teeth on X -H No. teeth on W.)
Q3 What would the gear ratio be of 2 spur gears with 15
and 45 teeth?
11
Spur gears

Information;
The sluice gates on canal
locks can be opened by
hand. Spur gears are used
to give more leverage in
opening the gates. The gear
ratio means the handle has
to be turned many times to
open the sluice gate just a
little.

Wind and water mills use fantail

natural forces to drive giant
spur gears. The mills were brake wheel
mostly used to grind brake band
cereals such as corn.
brake staff
iron worm
spur wheel
millstones

The starter motor in a car

has a small spur gear. When
the engine is started, the
gear connects with a ring of
spur gear teeth on the
flywheel. After the engine
has started, the spur gear
flywheel disconnects on its own. The
gear ratio is usually about
10:1.

Q4 What are the disadvantages of a wind-powered

machine?

Q5 If the gear ratio was less than 10:1, would the starter
motor turn the engine more or less easily?
12
 Compound spur gears
IVfaking and investigating a compound gearing system
Apparatus
* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 3 axle rods * 6 collars with screws
* 4 spur gears: W = 12 mm, X = 38 mm, Y = 17 mm, Z = 32 mm * spanner
* nuts and bolts * screwdriver

You are going to make a compound gearing system and find out how it works.
Make a box, as shown. S3 Push 3 axles into the box. Fit 4 spur gears
inside the box as shown.

C Push the axles through to the other side of the D Fix the rods in position with collars. Try turning
box so that the gears mesh, as shown. the axles.

Q1 How many times does gear Y turn when Z is turned once?

Q2 How many times does gear W turn when X is turned once?

Q3 How many times does gear W turn when Z is turned once?

13
Compound spur gears

Information: Gear ratios in compound gears

In simple gearing systems, the gear ratio is worked
out by dividing the number of teeth of the larger
gear by the number of teeth of the smaller gear.

For example, in the diagram

38 teeth H- 19 teeth = j
or a 2:1 gear ratio.
19 teeth

driven gear

19 teeth

57 teeth 57 teeth

If there are more than 2 gears, then the overall Gear 1 has 1 9 teeth Gear 2 has 57 teeth
gear ratio should be worked out. The way to do this v cv.-in - O.H „„ 3
• . i . ii_ •• L i- A io
IS D/.iy — O . \ O\ ~T
is to work out the gear ratios of connecting gears 1
first. Start from the driven gear.
Qear 2 hag 5J Qear g hgs 1 g teeth
Gear ratio Y is 1 9:57 = 1 :3 or
\J

Gear 3 has 1 9 teeth Gear 4 has 57 teeth

Gear ratio Z is 57:19 = 3:1 or |

The overall gear ratio is ratio X x ratio Y x ratio Z

In this case: | x lx| = | = | = 3:1
I O I O 1

The overall gear ratio is 3:1

Q4 If you made a compound gear system where gear 1

has 10 teeth, gear 2 has 30 teeth, gear 3 has 20 teeth
and gear 4 has 60 teeth, how many times would
gear 1 turn if gear 4 was turned only once.

14
 Compound spur gears

Finding gear ratios

Apparatus
* 2 fiat plates * 4 double angle strips * 3 axle rods and collars * spanner
* 12 mm spur gear * 32 mm spur gear * two 38 mm spur gears
* nuts and bolts * screwdriver

You are going to make some models using spur gears and work out their
gear ratios. ___^———
QS Copy this table. —————^T^SJrofto
~Ct
9

Make a model, as shown. Turn the coloured Make a model, as shown. Turn the coloured
gear 10 times. Count how many times the gear gear 10 times. Count how many times the gear
with the arrow turns. Record the results in your with the arrow turns. Record the result in your
table. table.

C Make a model, as shown. Turn the coloured What is the gear ratio of model
gear 10 times. Count how many times the gear with A?
the arrow turns. Record the result in your table.
Q7 What is the gear ratio of model
B?

What is the gear ratio of model

C?

Q9 The 12 mm gear in step B is

known as an idler gear. How
does this affect the way in
which the last gear turns?
15
Compound spur gears

Compound spur gears are used in mechanical

watches. The energy to make the gears turn is
stored in a spring. As it unwinds, the spring turns
the gears. The tiny axles are sometimes held in
place by jewels, such as rubies. These are very
hard and take a long time to wear out.

The gear box in a modern car is usually just behind The gears themselves are crossed helical. This
the engine. Sometimes it is underneath (Mini), or means that the teeth are curved and slanted. The
in front (Renault 16). It is joined to the engine by a reverse gear (and sometimes first gear) has spur
clutch. Inside the gearbox there are compound gears which are straight. A gearbox made of spur
gears. There are usually 4 forward gears and a gears would work very well but would be very
reverse. noisy.

Q10 Why are jewels used in watches?

Q11 Look at the second diagram on page 14.

Draw a diagram of 4 gears meshed together in a line
- gear 1=10 teeth, gear 2 = 20 teeth, gear 3 = 30
teeth, gear 4 = 90 teeth. Work out their overall gear
ratio.
16
5 Worm gears
fei 13 '\2£-' ii B

Apparatus
* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 38 mm spur gear * worm gear
* 165 mm axle rod * 90 mm axle rod * 4 collars * nuts and bolts
* spanner * screwdriver

You are going to find out how a worm and pinion works.

Make a box, as shown. Fix a worm gear in place, as shown.

Fix a 38 mm spur gear in place, as shown. 0! Put collars on the axles to complete the model.
Turn the axles.

Q1 Make a drawing of your model. Q4 Can the pinion gear make the
Put arrows on your drawing to worm gear turn?
show which way the gears turn.
Label the worm and pinion Q5 How many teeth does the worm
(spur) gear. gear have?

Q2 How many teeth are there on the Q6 What is the gear ratio of the
pinion gear? model?

Q3 How many times must the worm

gear turn in order to make the
pinion gear go round once?
17
Worm gears

Information: Worm gears In

The worm gear will turn the pinion easily. The © BRITISH LEYLAND CARS LIMITED
pinion cannot turn the worm gear. This gearing
system can be used to lift heavy loads. It is used in
car jacks.
The worm gear has only one tooth. The gear ratio
': worked out in the usual way. If the pinic has
10 teeth, the ratio is 10:1.

© BRITISH LEYLAND CARS LIMITED The worm gear is not always used with a pinion.
In some older cars, worm and peg steering was
used. The worm gear was attached to the steering
column and the peg fitted into the groove of the
worm gear. As the driver turned the steering wheel
the peg moved up or down the groove. The peg
was attached to the front wheels by various steel
rods.

peg

Most modern cars have a © BRITISH LEYLAND CARS LIMITED

pinion in the steering gear.
This is meshed with a rack.
A rack is a straight piece of
metal with gear teeth on it.
The pinion is attached to the
steering column. As the
driver turns the steering
wheel the rack is forced to
move. As it moves it turns
the front wheels of the car.

18
 Worm gears

Another type of steering which uses a worm gear is

the worm and nut system. The worm gear works
like a giant screw moving the nut. Ball bearings steel balls
are used to reduce the friction between the worm
gear and the nut.

worm

push-pull
connecting rod

A windscreen wiper motor uses a worm and pinion The pinion is joined to the wipers by a special
gear. A motor turns the worm quickly to drive the mechanism. This mechanism changes the circular
pinion. motion to a push-pull motion.

Q7 If a worm gear was attached to an electric motor, which

would turn faster, the worm or pinion?
Q8 If a pinion had 28 teeth, what would be the gear ratio in
a worm and pinion system?
Why does there have to be a push-pull mechanism
attached to the pinion gear in a windscreen wiper?
19
Worm gears

Apparatus
* flanged plate * 4flattrunions * worm gear * spur gears * 3 axle rods * collar
* 2 long angle girders * 3 double angle strips * 4 large wheels * nuts and bolts
* electric motor and power supply * spanner * screwdriver

You are going to design and make a vehicle with worm and pinion gearing.

A Join 2 long angle girders to 2 double angle B Bolt on a flanged plate a little more than
strips. halfway down the frame.

C Screw the electric motor onto the flanged Attach 2 rear wheels to the vehicle.
plate.

-rear wheels

20
 Worm gears

E Design a worm and pinion gearing system to F Finish making your model. See if it works.
drive the front wheels. You may need other parts Change your design if it doesn't work at first.
to support the gears and wheels.

G If you changed your design and the gearing system still didn't work, try
to build this gearing system into the vehicle.

Q10 Make a drawing of your working model.

Q11 Describe any problems you had with your design,

and how you solved them.

Q12 Work out the overall gear ratio from the motor
drive shaft to the rear axle. (Remember, a worm gear
has only one tooth.)
21
6 Contrate and helical gears
Investigating contrate gears
Apparatus

* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 2 axle rods and spring clips
* two 12 mm spur gears * 38 mm contrate gear * nuts and bolts
* spanner * screwdriver

You are going to find out how contrate gears work.

A Join 2 flat plates together at 3 corners. Do this & Screw a fourth double angle strip in the
by screwing 3 double angle strips to the flat plates position shown.
on the inside.

C Screw a 38 mm contrate gear to the end of D Slide the contrate gear into the box as shown.
an axle rod. Use 2 spring clips to hold it in place.

22
 Contrate and helical gears

E Slide two 12 mm spur gears onto another axle. : Tighten the screws on the spur gears so that
Slide the axle across the box so the spur gears one gear (X) engages but the other does not.
can engage with the contrate gear.

© Make sure the other spur gear (Y) can be Turn the contrate gear one way only. Change
engaged by sliding the axle across. gear from X to Y by pushing and pulling the axle
rod. Watch what happens.

push and

o o o

Make a drawing of your model.

Draw an arrow to show which
way you turned the contrate (One wheel and part of side removed to show gears)
gear. Draw arrows to show
which way gears X and Y turned.

Q2 What is the gear ratio of X and

the contrate gear?

Q3 What is the gear ratio of Y and

the contrate gear?
In this diagram, the contrate
gear is driven by a motor and the
other axle is attached to the
wheels. What would happen to
the movement of the vehicle if
the spur gear is changed from
XtoY?
23
Contrate and helical gears
i:rd O krli^-ii^«

Apparatus
* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * 165 mm axle rod * 90 mm axle rod
* 12 mm helical gear * 38 mm helical gear * 4 collars * nuts and bolts
* spanner * screwdriver

You are going to find out how helical gears work.

Make a box, as shown. B Slide a 12 mm helical gear onto an axle. Slide
a 38 mm helical gear onto another axle.

C Turn the gears through a 90° angle and fix into Q5 Which of the 2 helical gears
the box as shown. Turn the axles. turns more easily, the small one
or the large one?

Q6 What is the gear ratio of the

model?

24
 Contrate and helical gears

© BRITISH LEYLAND CARS LIMITED A contrate gear is also known as a crown gear.
There is a crown gear called a crown wheel inside
the differential of a car. The crown wheel is driven
by a smaller gear called a pinion. The pinion is
turned by the propeller shaft. The propeller shaft
is connected to the gearbox.

this wheel goes further

so must go faster than
this wheel

\ \
V \

The differential gearing system lets one back This system works on a bend of up to a 90° angle.
wheel turn faster than the other as the car goes There is a great deal of friction between the gears.
round a bend. The differential is filled with oil to reduce the friction.

The distributor drive

The distributor in a car is driven by the camshaft.
The distributor drive shaft in this car is at a 90° angle
distributor shaft to the camshaft. The helically cut gears have a ratio

camshaft

helical gears

Q7 Where would you find helical gears in a modern car?

Q8 What might happen if there was no oil in the differential?

Q9 The gear on the end of a distributor drive has 14 teeth.

How many teeth would there be on the camshaft gear
which drives it?
25
Contrate and helical gears

Apparatus
* Meccano parts * contrate or helical gears * spur gears * nuts and bolts
* spanner * screwdriver

You are going to design and make a model helicopter.

A Design a simple model helicopter. The wheels Try to build your model.
should turn the rotor blades using gears. Pulleys
could be used to make the rear propeller turn at
the same time.

C If the model does not work, change your D Write down what problems you had and how
design. you solved them.

D 0 O 0 O O u [@ ;
oooooooooo
oooooooooo
S'oooooOooo^o
o o o o o

Q10 Make a careful drawing of your ow could you make the rotor
model. Show all the gears and blades turn twice as fast as the
pulleys you used. ground wheels?
26
7 Cams
Investigating the action of a
Apparatus

* 2 flat plates * 4 double angle strips * double bracket * nuts and bolts
* 14 cm perforated strip * rod and strip connector * two 9 cm axle rods
* 13 cm crank handle * 34 mm bush wheel * 25 mm pulley with screw
* 25 mm pulley without screw * 3 spring clips * two 15 mm bolts * ruler
* 2 spanners * screwdriver * small rubber band * washers

You are going to find out how a cam works.

.- Make a box with 2 flat plates and 4 double Put a crank handle into the box. Screw the
angle strips. With a long bolt, attach a pulley without cam (bush wheel) to it.
a screw to a bush wheel. The pulley should turn back front
freely

C Make sure the cam can be turned easily with D Screw a pulley wheel with a screw to an axle.
the crank handle. Use a spring clip to hold the crank Put this into the box as shown. Hold it in place
handle in place. with a spring clip.

27
Cams

E Screw a rod and strip connector to a 14 cm | r Let the strip rest in the groove of the cam
perforated strip. Use a double nut so the connector I wheel. Attach the other end of the strip, through
is held loosely. the 4th hole, to the axle. Hold in place with a spring
clip.

double nut

pulley wheel

rod and strip connectors

G Fix a double bracket to the top of the box. H Screw a long bolt with a washer on it into the
Slide an axle through the bracket into the box as shown. Put a rubber band through the
connector. perforated strip and attach it to the long bolt. Turn
the crank handle.

at happens to the vertical (upright) axle when you

turn the handle?

Q2 With a ruler, measure how far the vertical axle moves.

Record the result in your book.

Q? Do you think the vertical rod would move the same

distance if it was attached to the last hole of the
perforated strip?
28
 Cams

A cam is shaped like this. The shape is called A 4-cylinder engine has 8 cams on a shaft known
eccentric. There are many cams in the engine of as a camshaft. The cams are solid and made in one
a modern car. piece with the shaft.

rocker for opening the valves

spring for closing the valve

valve
push-rod which moves
rocker

tappet transfers movement

from cam to push-rod

cam
camshaft

A camshaft is used to open the valves in a car's Some cars have the camshaft under the valves.
engine. Powerful springs close the valves. In some The action is like a see-saw. The cam pushes a rod
cars the camshaft is above the valves. This is known up. The rod forces a rocker to push down onto the

Las an overhead camshaft. valve stem. This opens the valve.

Q4 How many cams are there on the camshaft of a

4-cylinder engine?

Q5 What does the valve spring do?

Q6 What is the name of the part of the engine which opens

the valve by pushing down on it?
29
Cams

Information: The arsiriDutor cam

simple cam - 1 lobe 4 cylinder distributor

cam-4 lobes

The cam in a distributor of a car is a different The cam in a distributor acts as a switch. It is used
shape from a simple cam on a camshaft. It has 4 to open the contact breakers. When the car is
lobes on it. It has one lobe for each cylinder of the moving it opens the contact breakers many times
car's engine. in one second.

contacts contacts
closed open.

cam cam

The cam goes round and each lobe in turn pushes Every time the contacts open, the electricity stops
on the contact breaker. The contact breaker opens flowing. This means a small, high voltage current
4 times when the cam goes round once. is made in the coil. This current makes a spark in a
spark plug which lights the fuel to make the car go.

Q7 How is a distributor cam different from a simple cam on a camshaft?

Q8 How many lobes would the distributor cam of an 8 cylinder car have?
30
8 Design and build problems
Apparatus

* Meccano parts * nuts and bolts * spanner * screwdriver

Choose a gearing problem and try to solve it by making a working model.

Choose a problem from page 32. I Look at the problem. Think about how you
will solve it. List all the apparatus you will need

C Draw a diagram of the model you will make D If the model does not work, change it. If it still
to solve the problem. Try to solve the problem by ; does not work, try and make the model simpler,
making the model.

>;
Q1 Write down any problems you had making your model.

Q2 Write down any changes you made to your model.

31
Design and build problems

1 Maximum and minimum gear ratios. Making a drive turn through 90° and 180°

Choose 4 spur gears. Make a box to hold the gears Make a gear system in a box to drive 2 fans at the
in place. Use the gears to give the highest possible same time. One fan should be next to the driven
overall gear ratio. Then use the gears to give the axle and turn the same way. The other fan should
lowest possible overall gear ratio. stick up in the air at 90° to the first axle.

Look at the pictures of differentials on page 25.

Try to make a model differential like them. When
the propeller shaft is turned both wheels should
Make a vehicle with a steering wheel that turns the go round. If one wheel is held still, the other wheel
front wheels. should go round when the propeller shaft turns.

32
Teachers' Guide to
Gears and Gearing
Introduction
The units OTHER RESOURCES FOR THE TEACHER
Each teachers' guide contains:
Science at Work is a series of 18 science units for 14-16 course and unit objectives
year old, less able pupils. Each unit consists of a pupils' hints on introducing and teaching the unit
book and a teachers' guide. Each provides a complete half- an apparatus list (for technicians)
term's course of study. The units are self-contained, and safety procedures
can be taken in any order. new scientific words (which pupils may have difficulty
reading)
answers to questions in the pupils' book
a resource list.
The pupils' books Specimen questions for a post-unit test are also included.
The pupils' books provide information, practical investi­
gations and questions. Pupils are thus able to work from
the books at their own pace; generally, the work becomes
more difficult towards the end of each book and the
weakest pupils are not expected to finish every unit. The
material has been checked by a language specialist, who has Examining the course
ensured that the reading level is as low as possible.
Science at Work is derived from a successful and well-
proven modular scheme developed by teachers in Manchester
INVESTIGATIONS
LEA. Most of the pupils following the course in Manchester
Each investigation begins with a list of the apparatus
gain a CSE Mode III certificate in science. A paper giving
required. The purpose is then stated, and instructions for
information on CSE Mode III construction for this course
the investigation given (in words and pictures). Finally, the
is available from Addison-Wesley.
pupils are asked questions which help them record their
results and draw conclusions. (Throughout the books a
pupil is expected to make a written response each time a
'Q' appears.)

INFORMATION
Appropriate information from the real world follows most
investigations, in most cases from the world of work.
Questions are also asked about these information sections. Aims of the course
1. To provide a flexible science course based on non­
sequential study units. Though developed predominantly
for less able pupils, the course can cater for pupils capable
The teachers' guides of CSE grade I by the addition of suitable extension work.
Each unit has a teachers' guide. This contains record 2. To develop pupils' thinking in scientific methodology
sheets and information for the teacher. and the approach to problem solving.
3. To give knowledge and understanding of science rele­
RECORD SHEETS vant to pupils' interests, environment, and future work and
Record sheets in the form of masters are provided in each leisure needs.
guide. These sheets will save pupils copying tables, and will 4. To develop pupils' interest in science and enjoyment of
help them write answers to questions as complete sentences. science.
One record sheet is provided for each chapter of the pupils' 5. To provide a wide range of practical experiences and
book. Teachers may decide to give record sheets only to develop practical skills.
those pupils who have difficulty with writing; alternatively, 6. To develop the ability to work both independently
they may be given to all pupils. and as a member of a team.
- 1
 6. To develop the ability to look for and make generali­
General objectives sations (this objective is likely to be achieved by only the
of the course ablest pupils).
7. To be able to understand and recUl the factual content
1. To develop the ability to carry out experimental pro­ of the material.
cedures and written work according to instructions. 8. To develop communication skills—verbal, written, and
2. To develop manipulative skill in handling equipment mathematical.
and an awareness of safe practice. 9. To develop the ability to apply knowledge gained.
3. To develop powers of accurate observation, 10. To encourage pride in neatly and accurately produced
4. To develop the ability to check statements and asser­ work.
tions against tests of observation and experiment. 11. To develop awareness of the responsible use of science
5. To develop skill in handling the interpretation of data. and technology.

Objectives of the Gears and Gearing unit

Mien they have completed this unit, the pupils will have In their work on Gears and Gearing pupils will find out:
practised the following skills; the relevant terminology associated with gears and gearing
using Meccano to construct models from written instruc­ the way that gear systems are applied in some common
tions and diagrams machines
using Meccano to construct models from the pupils' own the function and different uses of chain drives, belt drives,
di signs spur gears, compound gear systems, worm and pinion
making Meccano models to investigate how chain drives, belt gears, contrate and helical gears, and cams
drivis, spur gears, compound gear systems, worm and what gear ratios are and how to find them
pinion gears, contrate and helical gears, and cams work how to apply the concept of gear ratios in solving problems.
using Meccano models to understand gear ratios
the recording of observations to table form.

leaching the Gears and Gearing unit

Introducing the unit Teaching the unit
It is suggested that the 'unit be introduced with an exhibi­ The pupils' book contains 8 chapters. Most chapters have
tion of gears from the following list: ear, motorcycle, practical and information sections. There are sequential
bicycle,, vacuum cleaner, food blender,, watch, dock, questions within each chapter: these indicate when a
sewing machine. The unit has both structured experiments student .has to write in a notebook. For slow readers and
(where the pupils follow the instructions, then make writers,, there are record sheets to each chapter. The record
measurements and answer questions) and open-ended sheets are copyright free and are contained within this
"design and make" experiments. Since the main aim of teachers' guide (pages 7-15).
the unit Is to develop an understanding of the importance Samples of the type of questions that may be used for
and application of systems admittedly more assessment when pupils have completed the unit are on
difficult exercises are a erncial part of the. unit. page 16, .

Equipment
3 kits are available to accompany this unit. Kit A contains Kit A contains:
enough Meccano for 3 groups, each working on a different 14 perforated strips SO nuts
2 angle girders 16 washers
chapter of the pupils' book. 1 double bracket 1 double bent strip
If the projects on 3, 8 or 20-21 of the pupils' book 6 axle rods 4 double angle strips
16 pulleys (various sfees) 1 flanged plate
ate attempted, working group will need Kit 1 (motor 1 crank haaife S collars
and leads). This motor works from a PP9 battery or a 12 V I bush wheel 34 min 2 cranks
4 pinions 1 coupling
battery. Alternatively, pupils may use Kit C (transformer 1 gear wheel 32 mm 2 flat plates
ltd plugs) to power the motor. 2 gssar wheels 38 mm 2 curved strips
1 contents 38 mm 1 chain
Science at Work Gears and 'Gearing Kits A, B and C are 2 coBtrate gears, 19 mm 1 sprocket wheel SO mm
available from: Eeonomaties,, 411 Pette Street, Sheffield 1 wonm gear 1 sprocket wheel 25 mm
2 spanners 4 flat Iranians
SA 8LL, T«l: (0142) 611471. In cases of difficulty, kits 2 pivot bolts
may also be obtained from: Watford Mail Order Sendee, I screwdriver 5 driving lands
51 bolts 1 helical
PO !t« 118, Watford WD1 5AI, Tel: (01) 4217443, 1 rod & strip connector
 Detailed teaching notes
1 CHAIN DRIVES
MAKING AND INVESTIGATING
A CHAIN DRIVE
(pupils'book page 1)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle The box is the basis of many of the experiments and could therefore be
strips; 2 axle rods and collars; 25 mm made and kept if there is enough Meccano and storage space.
sprocket gear; 50 mm sprocket gear;
length of chain; spanner, screwdriver;
nuts and bolts
New Words: investigating, axle, sprocket,
gear ratio, crankshaft, camshaft

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND

MAKING A CHAIN-DRIVEN
VEHICLE (pupils' book page 3)
Apparatus: Meccano parts; electric The idea of the "design and make" projects is to encourage the pupils to plan
motor; power supply (dry cell batteries); and to rink theory with practice. They should be encouraged to make a
length of chain, spanner, screwdriver, detailed design and to think of the problems in advance. The idea provided
nuts and bolts in step C is for those who find the exercise difficult-others should be en­
New Words: design, vehicle couraged to make an original design.
Q6 A smaller sprocket provides better 'leverage' (ie the motor turns the
wheels more easily).
Q7 Yes—put the motor into reverse.

2 BELT DRIVES
MAKING AND INVESTIGATING
A BELT DRIVE
(pupils' book page 4)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle The experiment is straightforward, the measurement is not necessarily so.
strips; 4 different pulleys, labelled W, X, Check that the pupils know what a diameter is. It is unlikely that the ratio of
Y and Z; 2 axle rods with collars; drive diameters will correspond exactly with the ratio of numbers of turns in this
belt; spanner; screwdriver; nuts and bolts; experiment. Alert pupils will ask how to take account of the thickness of the
ruler drive belt when measuring the diameters.
New Words: pulley, diameter, machinery, Q3 Clockwise.
vacuum, shaft, dynamo, generator Q5 The larger the diameter of the pulleys X, Y and Z, the slower they
turn. The number of turns pulleys X, Y and Z make when being
driven by W depends on the ratio of W:X, W:Y and W:Z.
Q7 Small pulley turns faster.
Q8 Advantages: slip when overheated rather than breaking, cheap, fairly
quiet, no lubrication, flexible, etc.
Disadvantages: not as strong as chains, slip, stretch, etc.

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND

MAKING A MODEL WINDMILL
(pupils' book page 8)
Apparatus: Meccano parts; electric motor; Assuming the pupils have learnt how to go about "designing and making",
power supply (dry cell batteries); pulleys; this exercise is more open-ended. They are expected to realise that the
spanner; screwdriver; nuts and bolts relative diameters of the pulleys involved will determine how slowly the sails
New Words: windmill, follower will turn.
Q12 Use pulleys with the same diameter.
Q13 Change the belt drive to a figure 8 rather than a simple loop.
Q14 4:1.
Q15 4:1.
Q17 5:2,2:1, 1:4, 12:5. 3
3 SPUR GEARS
INVESTIGATING SPUR GEARS
(pupils' book page 11)
Apparatus: 2 fiat plates; 4 double angle Not all the combinations of spur gears will mesh using the box in step A. The
strips; 2 axle rods and spring clips; 4 spur experiment assumes the information on gear ratios has been understood—the
gears: W = 12 mm, X = 38 mm, information should be to hand.
Y = 17 mm, Z = 32 mm; spanner; Q2 W:X=1:3,Y:Z=1:2.
screwdriver; nuts and bolts Q3 3:1 or 1:3.
New Words: mesh, sluice gate, cereal, Q4 Disadvantages: only works on a windy day—needs a lot of wind for small
starter motor, flywheel movement.
Q5 Less easily.

4 COMPOUND SPUR GEARS

MAKING AND INVESTIGATING
A COMPOUND GEARING
SYSTEM (pupils'book page 13)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle The "gearbox" is sometimes stiff if the box is not correctly made.
strips; 3 axle rods; 6 collars with screws; Ql Gear Y should turn twice when gear Z is turned once.
4 spur gears: W = 12 mm, X = 38 mm, Q2 Gear W should turn 3 times when gear X is turned once.
Y = 17 mm, Z = 32 mm; spanner, Q3 Gear W should turn 6 times when gear Z is turned once.
screwdriver; nuts and bolts
New Words: compound, overall

FINDING GEAR RATIOS

(pupils' book page 15)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle It should be explained to the pupils that the gears will only mesh if the
strips; 3 axle rods and collars; 12 mm spur models are made in the way the diagrams indicate.
gear; 32 mm spur gear; two 38 mm spur Q7 57:50 or 1.14:1.
gears; spanner; screwdriver; nuts and bolts Q8 1:1.
New Words: idler, jewel, rubies, clutch, Q9 50:19 or 2.63:1.
helical Q10 The idler gear reverses the direction of motion of the third gear in the
train. . • . •
Q12 9:1. .. ,' .

5 WORM GEARS
INVESTIGATING THE WORM
AND PINION (pupils'book page 17)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle The pupils may have experienced stiffness in their spur and compound gear
strips; 38 mm spur gear; worm gear; models and may try to force the pinion to turn the worm following the in­
165 mm axle rod; 90 mm axle rod; struction in step D to turn the axles. Beware-adolescent brute force = broken
4 collars; spanner; screwdriver; nuts and apparatus!
bolts Q2 57 teeth on 38 mm spur gear.
New Words: worm gear, pinion, jack, Q3 As many times as there are teeth on the pinion gear.
peg, rack, nut, friction, ball bearings Q5 1 tooth.
Q6 I:57or57:l.
Q7 The worm.
Q8 28:1.
PROJECT: DESIGNING AND
MAKING A VEHICLE WITH
WORM AND PINION GEARING
(pupils' book page 20)
Apparatus: flanged plate; 4 flat trunions; This experiment starts with the basic design and allows the pupils to finish it.
worm gear; spur gears; 3 axle rods; collar; The apparatus list implies the sort of design which will work but inventive
2 long angle girders; 3 double angle strips; pupils should be encouraged to make their own versions and to modify the
4 large wheels; electric motor and power basic design if necessary.
supply; spanner; screwdriver; nuts and
bolts
New Words: trunion, flanged plate

6 COIMTRATEAND
HELICAL GEARS
IN VESTIGA TING CONTRA TE
GEARS (pupils'book page 22)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle Emphasise to pupils that although, at first glance, the box looks the same as
strips; 2 axle rods and spring clips; two in previous experiments—it isn't. The brackets fit inside the box. The spur
12 mm spur gears; 38 mm contrate gear; gears must be fitted carefully so that when one is engaged, the other isn't.
spanner; screwdriver; nuts and bolts Q2 3:1.
New Words: contrate, engage Q3 3:1.
Q4 The motion is reversed.

INVESTIGATING HELICAL
GEARS (pupils' book page 24)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle Many pupils who have successfully completed other experiments will finish
strips; 165 mm axle rod; 90 mm axle this experiment quickly and more work may be needed for a double lesson
rod; 12 mm helical gear; 38 mm helical for them.
gear; 4 collars; spanner; screwdriver; Q5 Should be the smalt one.
nuts and bolts Q6 5:2.
New Words: differential, crown, Q7 In the gear box or on the distributor drive shaft.
propeller shaft, distributor Q8 It would get hot and the gear wheels might sieze up.
Q9 14 (gear ratio 1:1).

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND

MAKING A MODEL HELICOPTER
(pupils' book page 26)
Apparatus: Meccano parts; cortrate or In this experiment, gears, pulleys or chain drives could be used to solve the
helical gears; spur gears; spanner; screw­ problems posed. A wide variety of gears and Meccano parts needs to be
driver; nuts and bolts available if the open-ended instructions are to be followed by the pupils.
New Words: helicopter, rotor blades The illustrations in the pupils' book shows a helicopter made with a simple
box. However, it is possible to make a model which resembles a real heli­
copter.
Q11 By using a gear ratio of 2:1.
5
7 CAMS_______________
IN VESTIGA TING THE A CTION
OF A CAM
(pupils' book page 27)
Apparatus: 2 flat plates; 4 double angle The cam in the model does not look like a real cam. The two pulleys bolted
strips; double bracket; 14 cm perforated together do, however, behave like a cam. Point out the difference to pupils
strip; rod and strip connector; two 9 cm between a real cam and the model.
axle rods; 13 cm crank handle; 34 mm Ql Goes up and down.
bush wheel; 25 mm pulley with screw; Q3 No—it would move up and down, but it would move through a
25 mm pulley without screw; 3 spring greater distance.
clips; two 15 mm bolts; ruler; small
rubber band; washers; 2 spanners; screw­
driver; nuts and bolts
New Words: cam, crank handle, bush
wheel, perforated, washer, vertical, lobe,
rocker, contact breaker, coil, spark plug

8 DESIGN AND BUILD

PROBLEMS_________
(pupils'book page 31)
Apparatus: Meccano parts; spanner; These problems are supposed to be difficult. If there are pupils who are still
screwdriver; nuts and bolts having difficulty with the open-ended "design and make" experiments, then
they should be helped with suggestions for models, or allowed to look at
models in a Meccano book.

Reference books
AA Book of the car, Readers Digest
Various car workshop manuals
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

1 Chain drives
MAKING AND INVESTIGATING A CHAIN DRIVE (page 1)

Q1 The axle of the small gear/large gear is easier to turn.

Q2 The axle of the small gear/large gear turns faster.

Q3 To make the large gear go round once I have to turn the axle of the small gear ............. times.

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND MAKING A CHAIN-DRIVEN VEHICLE (page 3)

Q4 I designed and made my model in this way: ..............................................

The parts I needed were:

I had to make these changes: .................................

Q5 Make a drawing of your model on the back of this sheet.

Q6 It is better to have the smaller sprocket gear fixed to the motor because

Q7 It is/is not possible to make the model go backwards.

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

2 Belt drives
MAKING AND INVESTIGATING A BELT DRIVE (page 4)

Q1 First Diameter of No. of times Second Diameter of No. of times

pulley first pulley first pulley pulley second pulley second pulley
(mm) is turned (mm) turns

W 10 X

Y 10 Z

W 10 Z

W 10 Y

X 10 Z

Y 10 X

Q2 If a large pulley is driven by a small one, the large pulley

Q3 If I turn one pulley clockwise ( /~*i), the other pulley turns .....................

Q4 If pulley W had been turned 100 times, pulley X would turn ....... times.

Q5 When pulley W is turned the larger/smaller the diameter of pulleys X, Y and Z, the faster/slower they
turn.

Q6 First Diameter of No. of times Second Diameter of No. of times

pulley first pulley first pulley pulley second pulley second pulley
(mm) is turned (mm) turns

P 25 10 L 20

Q 10 10 M 50

INFORMATION: BELT DRIVES IN MODERN MACHINES (page 6)

Q7 If the pulley turned by the engine of a car is smaller than the dynamo pulley, the pulley that will turn

faster is .....................

Q8 The advantages of belt drives are ......................................................

Q9 The disadvantages of belt drives are

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

2 BELT DRIVES (CONTINUED)

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND MAKING A MODEL WINDMILL (page 8)

Q10 I designed and made my model in this way: ....................

The parts I needed were:

I had to make these changes: ...........................................

Q11 Make a drawing of your model on the back of this sheet.

Q12 I could change my design to make the sails turn as fast as the pulley on the motor by

Q13 To make the sails turn the other way I would change the drive by

INFORMATION: GEAR RATIOS IN CHAIN AND BELT DRIVES (page 9)

Q14 If sprocket X in the top diagram had 9 teeth, the gear ratio would be ...........

Q15 If pulley A in the bottom diagram had a diameter of 9 mm, the gear ratio would be

Q16 Copy the diagrams of chain and belt drives onto the back of this sheet. Mark on each diagram the
direction the follower wheel will turn.

Q17 The gear ratios for each diagram are:

diagram A ............................. diagram B ..............................

diagram C ............................. diagram D .............................

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

3 Spur gears
INVESTIGATING SPUR GEARS (page 11)

Q1 Gear No. of teeth No. of times Gear No. of teeth No. of turns the
on gear the gear is on gear gear makes when
turned the other is
turned 10 times

W 10 X

Y 10 Z

Q2 The gear ratio of W:X is .....................

The gear ratio of Y:Z is .....................

Q3 The gear ratio of 2 spur gears with 15 and 45 teeth would be

INFORMATION: SPUR GEARS PAST AND PRESENT (page 12}

Q4 The disadvantages of a wind-powered machine are ................................

Q5 If the gear ratio was less than 10:1 the starter motor would turn the engine more/less easily.
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

4 Compound spur gears

MAKING AND INVESTIGATING A COMPOUND GEARING SYSTEM (page 13)

Q1 When gear Z is turned once, gear Y turns ...... times.

Q2 When gear X is turned once, gear W turns ...... times.

Q3 When gear Z is turned once, gear W turns ...... times.

INFORMATION: GEAR RATIOS IN COMPOUND GEARS (page 14)

Q4 In a compound gear system where gear 1 has 10 teeth, gear 2 has 30 teeth, gear 3 has 20 t§§th and

gear 4 has 60 teeth, if gear 4 is turned once only, gear 1 would turn ,,.,,., times,

FINDING GEAR RATIOS (page 15)

Q5 Model Coloured No. of times No. of times

Gear with
gear (mm) coloured gear arrow (mm) gear with
is turned arrow turns

A 10

B 10

C 10

Q6 The gear ratio of model A is .......................

Q7 The gear ratio of mode! B is .....,,...,,,..,,,,,,,,

Q8 The gear ratio of mode! C is .,,,,,..,,.,..,,,,,,,,»

Q9 The 12 mm gear in model B is known as an idler gear. The idler gear affects the way in which the

last gear turns by ...............,....,....,.,,,....,.....,...,.,.....,..,...,,,....

INFORMATION: COMPOUND SPUR GEARS IN ACTION (page 18)

Q10 Jewels are used in watches because ,,,,.,,..,„,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Q11 On the back of this sheet draw a diagram of 4 gears meshed together. Gear 1 = 10 teeth, gear 2 =
20 teeth, gear 3 = 30 teeth, gear 4 = 90 teeth.

The overall gear ratio is

Copyright /rut
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

5 Worm gears
INVESTIGATING THE WORM AND PINION (page 17}

Q1 On the back of this sheet make a drawing of your model. Put arrows on your drawing to show which
way the gears turn. Label the worm and pinion (spur) gear.

Q2 There are ...... teeth on the pinion (spur) gear.

Q3 In order to make the pinion (spur) gear go round once, the worm gear must be turned ....... times.

Q4 The pinion (spur) gear can/cannot make the worm gear turn.

Q5 The worm gear has ...... teeth.

Q6 The gear ratio of the model is ....... •••••-,• •

INFORMATION: WORM GEARS IN CARS (page 18)

Q7 If a worm gear was attached to an electric motor the worm/pinion would turn faster.

Q8 If a pinion had 28 teeth, the gear ratio in a worm and pinion system would be ...................

Q9 There has to be a push-pull mechanism attached to the pinion gear in a windscreen wiper because ....

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND MAKING A VEHICLE WITH WORM AND PINION GEARING
(page 20)

Q10 Make a drawing of your model on the back of this sheet.

Q11 I had these problems with my design: ........................................

I solved the problems by:

Q12 The overall gear ratio from the motor drive shaft to the rear axle is.

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

6 Contrate and helical gears

INVESTIGATING CONTRATE GEARS (page 22)

Q1 On the back of this sheet, make a drawing of your model.

Draw an arrow to show which way you turned the contrate gear.
Draw arrows to show which way gears X and Y turned.

Q2 The gear ratio of X and the contrate gear was ..............

Q3 The gear ratio of Y and the contrate gear was ..............

Q4 In the diagram at the bottom of page 23, the contrate gear is driven by a motor and the other axle is
attached to the wheels. If the spur gear is changed from X to Y, the effect on the movement of the

vehicle would be

INVESTIGATING HELICAL GEARS (page 24)

Q5 The small/large helical gear turns more easily.

Q6 The gear ratio of the model is .............

INFORMATION: CONTRATE AND HELICAL GEARS (page 25)

Q7 In a modern car helical gears are found .................

Q8 If there was no oil in the differential this might cause ......

Q9 If the gear on the end of a distributor drive has 14 teeth there would be ...... teeth on the camshaft
which drives it.

PROJECT: DESIGNING AND MAKING A MODEL HELICOPTER (page 26)

Q10 On the back of this sheet, make a drawing of your model.

Q11 To make the rotor blades turn twice as fast as the ground wheels I would .......................

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

7 Cams
INVESTIGATING THE ACTION OF A CAM (page 27)

Q1 When I turn the handle it makes the vertical (upright) axle rod ...............................

Q2 The vertical axle rod moves ...... mm.

Q3 If the vertical rod was attached to the last hole of the perforated strip I do/do not think it would move
the same distance.

INFORMATION: CAMS IN A CAR ENGINE (page 29)

Q4 There are ...... cams on the camshaft of a 4-cylinder engine.

Q5 The job of a valve spring is to .........................................................

Q6 The part of the engine which opens the valve by pushing down on it is called the .................

INFORMATION: THE DISTRIBUTOR CAM (page 30)

Q7 A distributor cam is different from a simple cam because

Q8 The cam of an 8-cylinder car would have ...... lobes.

Copyright free
 RECORD SHEET Gears and Gearing

8 Design and build problems

Page 31

Q1 The problems I had in making my model were

Q2 The changes I made to my model were:

Copyright free
Specimen post-unit questions
1 In the diagram below, A is turning in an anticlockwise In the diagram below what is the name given to gear B?
direction. Draw on B an arrow to show which way it is How does gear B affect the way in which gear A turns?
turning.

2 Why is a bicycle fitted with a chain drive and not a belt

drive?
6 In the diagram below what is the gear ratio between
3 In the diagram below, gear A has 20 teeth and gear B gear A and gear E?
has 60 teeth. How many times must A turn for B to When gear A turns twice how many times does gear C
turn once? turn?
When gear A turns once how many times does gear E
turn?
20 teeth 20 teeth

4 Which of these gears would you use on a motor car to

climb a very steep hill? (Tick V the right answer.)
a) 1st gear (3:1 ratio).
b) 2nd gear (2.2:1 ratio). 7 Look at the diagram below. Draw a system of gears to
c) 3rd gear (1.5:1 ratio). join drive axle A to axle B.
d) 4th gear (1:1 ratio).

ISBN 0-201-14006-3 ©Addison-Wesley Publishers Limited 1979

Project Director
John Taylor

The books in this series are:

Fibres and Fabrics

Electronics
Forensic Science
Photography
Gears and Gearing
Cosmetics
Body Maintenance
Pollution
Building Science
Food and Microbes
Domestic Electricity
Dyes and Dyeing

Addison-Wesley Publishers Limited 0201 140063