IMA
Initialism of ideal mechanical advantage.
Mechanical engineering
250 entries in this trade.
inclined plane
One of the simple machines; a sloping surface such as a ramp such that an object can be raised with less effort than being lifted vertically.
index
To use a mechanism to move an object to a precise location.
induction motor
An alternating current motor in which currents in the secondary wiring of the rotor are created by induction from the magnetic field of the primary winding of the stator.
inlead
A conduit, channel or wire leading into a container or device.
interphase
An indistinct region in the interface between two substances in composite materials.
jack nut
A type of nut with a sheet metal body that mushrooms outward, on the far side of the hole through the substrate, when the screw is screwed in, thus providing anchoring with only one-sided access to the hole. It is nearly equivalent to the female portion of a molly bolt.
journal
the part of a rotating shaft or axle that rests on the bearing
journal box
A box or housing enclosing or supporting a journal, often used in order to retain the lubricant.
keyed
adjectiveMechanical engineering
Having a key, mated to a keyseat and/or keyway, to either control or prevent movement.
keyway
The recessed part of a keyed joint, in which the key resides.
kinetics
The branch of mechanics concerned with motion of objects, as well as the reason i.e. the forces acting on such bodies. This, along with kinematics constitute dynamics, which is concerned purely with the effects of forces on moving bodies.
knife-edge
A small piece of metal, usually steel, sharpened to an acute edge or angle, and resting on a smooth surface, serving as the fulcrum of a pendulum, scalebeam, or other piece required to oscillate with minimal friction.
Lagrangian
A function summarizing the dynamics of a physical system, typically in non-relativistic contexts amounting to the kinetic energy minus the potential energy, L=T-V.
lever
A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied;, used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
limited-slip differential
A type of differential that allows its output shafts to rotate at different speeds but can limit the maximum difference in angular velocity between the output shafts, allowing greater torque to be applied to the slower-spinning shaft(s) and generally resulting in better traction than older-design differentials.
lock up
To stop moving; to seize.
lockup
A condition in which one or more of a vehicle's wheels suddenly cease to rotate due to the application of excessive brake torque, causing the affected wheel(s) to skid.
low-powered
adjectiveMechanical engineering
Possessing little power or capacity.
LSD
Initialism of limited-slip differential.
luff
To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.
manifold
A pipe fitting or similar device that connects multiple inputs and outputs.
mass distribution
The spatial distribution of mass within a solid body.
mean free time
The average time between collisions of a molecule in a fluid.
mechanical advantage
The ratio of the output force produced by a machine (especially a simple machine) to the applied input force.
mechanobiology
The study of the mechanics (physical forces and interactions) of biological systems
milkshake
Accidental emulsion of oil and water in an engine.
milling cutter
A rotary cutting tool typically used in milling machines.
motion
A piece of moving mechanism, such as on a steam locomotive.
mushroom head
Of a mechanical device, any component which resembles the cap of a mushroom.
Newton's first law
The observation that objects in motion tend to stay in motion, and objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless an outside force acts upon them.
Newton's second law
Newton's observation that the rate of change of the momentum of a body is directly proportional to, and in the same direction as, the net force acting on it. Often stated as F = ma: F = force, m = mass, a = acceleration.
Newton's third law
Newton's observation that to every action (force applied) there is an equal and opposite reaction (equal force applied in the opposite direction).
Newtonian mechanics
Early classical mechanics as propounded by Isaac Newton, especially that based on his laws of motion and theory of gravity.
normal mode
A mode of an oscillating system in which all parts of the system move sinusoidally with the same frequency and with a fixed phase relation. The motion described by the normal modes is called resonance.
odontograph
An instrument for marking or laying off the outlines of teeth of gear wheels.
OL
open line (open circuit, no continuity).
open differential
A type of differential gear used in automobile construction, allowing for output shafts to have different angular velocity, while equalizing torque applied to each output shaft.
optomechanics
The design and manufacture of precision mechanical components of optical devices
overdrive
A gear ratio higher than 1:1: one in which a single revolution of the driving element corresponds to more than one revolution of the driven element.
overshift
A misalignment resulting from shifting gears too far.
overspeed
To operate an engine or machine too fast.
parallelogram of forces
A parallelogram, two adjacent sides of which are vectors having the same initial point and representing two forces acting simultaneously upon this point, such that the resultant of the forces is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram that passes through this point.
pedestal coil
in a radiator, a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by side and one above another
pendulum
A body suspended from a fixed support so that it swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, commonly used to regulate various devices such as clocks.
peritrochium
The wheel which, together with the axle, forms the axis in peritrochio.
persuader
One who, or that which, persuades, literally or figuratively.
petrol engine
An internal combustion engine designed to run on petrol (gasoline).
pinion
The smallest gear in a gear train.
piston
A solid disk or cylinder that fits inside a hollow cylinder, and moves under pressure (as in an engine) or displaces fluid (as in a pump)
planet wheel
A gear wheel that revolves around the wheel with which it meshes, in an epicyclic train.
polygon of forces
A polygonal figure the sides of which are vectors representing several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the vector necessary to make the figure closed is the resultant of those forces.
polyspast
A windlass with many pulleys and truckles
poppet valve
A valve (as in an internal combustion engine) which consists of a sliding shaft with a disk on the end (the disk being shaped to alternately plug and unplug a matching port). Such a valve is opened by either a cam or a solenoid and is closed by either a spring or a solenoid.
postmechanical
adjectiveMechanical engineering
Occurring after a mechanical process has completed.
power
A measure of the effectiveness that a force producing a physical effect has over time. If linear, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the displacement of or in an object) ÷ time. If rotational, the quotient of: (force multiplied by the angle of displacement) ÷ time.
press
To activate a button or key by exerting a downward or forward force on it, and then releasing it.
pump valve
A mechanical device that controls the flow of fluids through a pump and its associated pipes.
pushrod
A rigid reciprocating rod that, by its movement, transmits force to actuate a mechanism.
quill
A quill drive, having a hollow shaft with another movable shaft inside it.