SIMPLE MACHINES: WEDGE

The wedge is a basic machine that shows clever engineering with its portable inclined plane. Its shape, like a triangle, makes it super useful in many jobs, like splitting, lifting, and holding things in place just right.

When you push on the wide part of the wedge, the force gets concentrated at the pointed end. This focused force helps the wedge do its job, like breaking or splitting stuff really well. Whether it's splitting logs, shaping stones, or holding things together in woodworking, the wedge can do it all.

Picking the right wedge means thinking about its length and angle. Short wedges with wide angles can get jobs done faster but need more force. Long wedges with narrow angles need less force but take more time. Craftsmen and engineers can choose the best wedge for the job to work efficiently and accurately.

So, the next time you see a wedge, remember how its simple shape and design make tough tasks easier and more precise.

Inclined Plane

Screw

Lever

Wheel & Axel

Pulley

History of the Wedge

The history of the wedge dates back to ancient times, making it one of the oldest and simplest mechanical devices known to humans. Throughout history, the wedge has played a vital role in various civilizations, serving as a versatile tool for a wide range of tasks.

Ancient Origins: The concept of the wedge likely emerged independently in different ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and China. Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans used sharpened stones or bones as wedges for cutting, splitting, and shaping materials. These rudimentary wedge tools were crucial for tasks such as hunting, food preparation, and crafting.
Ancient Greek and Roman: The Greeks and Romans further developed the use of the wedge, recognizing its utility in construction, engineering, and warfare. Wedges were employed in building temples, theaters, aqueducts, and other monumental structures. In warfare, wedges were used as battering rams to breach fortifications and gates.
Medieval and Renaissance Europe: During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the wedge continued to be a ubiquitous tool in various industries and applications. In agriculture, wedges were used for splitting wood, shaping timber, and constructing buildings. They were also essential in mining operations for breaking apart rocks and ores. Additionally, wedges were utilized in shipbuilding, metalworking, and household tasks.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution marked a significant milestone in the history of the wedge. With advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials, wedges became integral components of machinery, tools, and equipment. They were used in factories and mills for cutting, shaping, and processing materials in mass production processes.
Modern Applications: In the modern era, wedges remain indispensable in numerous industries and applications. They are used in construction for splitting rocks and concrete, in manufacturing for cutting and shaping materials, and in automotive and aerospace industries for assembly and maintenance tasks. Wedges also play a vital role in everyday tools and household items, such as knives, axes, chisels, doorstops, and shims.

Throughout history, the wedge has been a symbol of ingenuity and innovation, enabling humans to overcome physical obstacles and accomplish tasks with greater efficiency and precision. Its simple yet effective design continues to make it a fundamental tool in engineering, construction, and manufacturing processes.

Mechanical Advantage (MA)

The mechanical advantage of a wedge is given by the ratio of the length of its slope to its width. Wedges are used to lift heavy objects, separating them from the surface upon which they rest. Consider a block that is to be lifted by a wedge. As the wedge slides under the block, the block slides up the sloped side of a wedge. This lifts the weight FB of the block. The horizontal force FA needed to lift the block is obtained by considering the velocity of the wedge vA and the velocity of the block vB. If we assume the wedge does not dissipate or store energy, then the power into the wedge equals the power out. The velocity of the block is related to the velocity of the wedge by the slope of the side of the wedge. The angle of the wedge is α.

Common Uses

Wedges can also be used to hold objects in places, such as engine parts (poppet valves), bicycle parts (stems and eccentric bottom brackets), and doors. A wedge-type door stop (door wedge) functions largely because of the friction generated between the bottom of the door and the wedge, and the wedge and the floor. They also are commonly used in axes and mauls to cut trees and split wood. This example is one of the first tools ever created.

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