Funicular Polygon and Forces Apparatus

  Funicular Polygon and Forces Apparatus

Low cost, effective teaching

Self-contained, bench mounted

Direct measurement of forces

Adjustable lines of action of forces

Practical verification of triangle of forces, polygon of forces and link polygon

Demonstrates equilibrium of forces at a point, applied to      various points round a
   disc or acting on a rectangular lamina

Concurrent & Non-concurrent coplanar forces

Three year warranty

Range of Experiments

1. To resolve by experiment any suitable system of static coplanar forces which may or may not be concurrent
2. To verify graphically using: 
   a) triangle of forces for three concurrent coplanar forces 
   b) polygon of forces for more than three concurrent coplanar forces 
   c) link polygon for three or more non-concurrent coplanar forces
3. To investigate (c) for either a disc or a rectanglar shape
4. To compare the accuracy of the experiment by comparing the experimental and graphical results

Description

This apparatus is a more comprehensive and versatile version of the HFC2. A simple but elegant demonstration of the conditions of equilibrium for three or more coplanar forces acting either at a point, on a circular disc or on a rectangular shape. Up to five loads can be applied to the chosen shape by setting up pulleys at various angular positions. The lines of action of the forces are recorded by drawing along the weighted cords onto a piece of paper attached to the pulley table. A range of experiments is possible, investigating concurrent and non concurrent coplanar forces acting on simple shapes, comparing the experimental values with the relevant polygons of force.

This equipment is part of a range designed to both demonstrate and experimentally confirm basic engineering principles. Great care has been given to each item so as to provide wide experimental scope without unduly complicating or compromising the design. Each piece of apparatus is self-contained and compact. Setting up time is minimal, and all measurements are made with the simplest possible instrumentation, so that the student involvement is purely with the engineering principles being taught. A complete instruction manual is provided describing the apparatus, its application, experimental procedure and typical test results.