Gears and Pulleys for dummies

[Guest090822]

Can anyone recommend a good reference book for explaining simple things like gear ratios, rpm, etc. for simple systems? I did take a class in college, I think it was Dynamics, but that was 20 years ago and I don't recall getting too deep into mechanical stuff. I'm involved in a movable bridge with a mechanical engineer and I feel stupid not knowing basic terminology - I'm a structural guy, so just looking for something that gives the basics.

 

[drawoh]

TheRick109,

In college, we took Mechanics of Machines. We did not have a textbook. We just took notes.

--
JHG

 

[SwinnyGG]

Honestly I'd look into getting the latest version of Machinery's Handbook. Chapters on gears, hydraulics, actuators etc etc all have a preface with a light-duty explanation of what's covered in the following chapter.

 

[DAVIDSTECKER]

I use my old text book "Machine Design Fundamentals, A Practical Approach"
It covers a wide range of machine topics.

 

[SDETERS]

This book is good.
Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design

 

[Windward]

Many gear and sprocket companies provide this information for free. Some of these handbooks are excellent. Here is a good one:

https://www.biwinc.net/files/2015/07/SPROCKET-ENGINEERING-DATA-2.pdf

I have found several others over the years. Some that come to mind right now:

Browning
Martin
Boston Gear
Neugart

Check out the gear info at SDP/SI:

https://info.designatronics.com/engineeringresources

 

[Windward]

If this manual doesn't cover it, it's not worth covering. It is excellent:

https://www.purvisindustries.com/ASSETS/DOCUMENTS/ITEMS/EN/Martin_B1015-4_Catalog.pdf