Rack and Pinion

Description

The Rack and Pinion gear is used to convert between rotary and linear motion. Often the pinion rotates in a fixed position and the rack is free to move - this arrangement is used in the steering mechanism of most cars.

Features and Applications

Alternatively, the rack may be fixed and the pinion rotates moving up and down the rack. This latter arrangement is used as the drive mechanism for Funicular Railways (steep railways up the side of hills).

Animations

Examples from Nguyen Duc Thang's YouTube Channel 2100 Animated Mechanical Mechanisms

Rack and Pinion.

DT Online Buyers' Guide

Gears, whether of the same size or different diameters, will only Mesh together if the size of the teeth are the same.

The size of Gear Teeth is measured along the circumference of an imaginery Pitch Circle but is more easily calculated by dividing the diameter of the Pitch Circle by the number of gear teeth.

The Gear Teeth size is known as the Modulus or Module (m) and it must be the same for any meshing gears.

Always check this before purchase - contact supplier if not stated.

Click top left to enlarge


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