Mechanisms transmit motion and force from one part of a machine to another, and they are much easier to understand when you can watch them move. These 3D simulators let you change the teeth of a gear, the diameter of a pulley or the position of a fulcrum and see the effect at once. Each one shows the formulas behind the motion: gear ratio, speed ratio, the law of the lever, mechanical advantage. Students can check their own calculations against the numbers on screen, and teachers can project them in class. Start with gears and levers, then try gear trains and block and tackle systems.
Gear Train Simulator: Simple and CompoundGear train simulator in 3D: build a simple train of 2 to 4 gears, with idler gears, or…
Pulley System Simulator: Block and TacklePulley simulator in 3D: a fixed pulley, a movable pulley and block and tackle systems, factorial and exponential,…
Gear Simulator: Driver and Driven GearsGear simulator online in 3D with involute teeth, the profile of real gears: change the number of teeth…
Lever Simulator: The Three ClassesLever simulator in 3D for the three classes of levers: move the fulcrum and change the masses and…
Crank and Slider Mechanism SimulatorCrank and slider mechanism simulator in a single-cylinder engine shown in cutaway: see how the rotation of the…
Rack and Pinion Gear SimulatorRack and pinion gear simulator in 3D: the rotation of the pinion becomes the straight-line travel of the…
Belt and Pulley Simulator: Speed RatioBelt and pulley simulator in 3D: open belt, crossed belt and stepped pulleys, like the head of a…