Mechanical Engineering - Machine Design - Discussion

Class 1: Fulcrum in the middle: the effort is applied on one side of the fulcrum and the resistance (or load) on the other side, for example, a seesaw, a crowbar or a pair of scissors. Mechanical advantage may be greater than, less than, or equal to 1.

Class 2: Resistance (or load) in the middle: the effort is applied on one side of the resistance and the fulcrum is located on the other side, eg. In a wheelbarrow, a nutcracker, a bottle opener or the brake pedal of a car, the load arm is smaller than the effort arm, and the mechanical advantage is always greater than one. It is also called a force multiplier lever. However in an oar, the load arm is greater than the effort arm, and the mechanical advantage is less than one.

Class 3: Effort in the middle: the resistance (or load) is on one side of the effort and the fulcrum is located on the other side, for example, a pair of tweezers, a hammer, or the jaw. The effort arm is smaller than the load arm. Mechanical advantage is always less than 1. It is also called speed multiplier lever.

1 lever - fulcrum b/w load and effort.
2 lever - load b/w fulcrum and effort.
3 lever - effort b/w load and fulcrum.

For 1st type of lever..fulcrum in the middle.

2nd type...load in the middle.

3rd type...effort in the middle.

In short, a medium of facility for load and effort to be carried on.

@Harisha.

Fulcrum is fixed hinge or position.

First time load then effort.

What is fulcrum?