Programming instructions

2 • 23
Structure
Inventor’s Guide
276-2178-E-0610
EXAMPLE 2:
Bracing the Bars,
continued
In order to keep the arm
from falling down, you
will need to brace it. You
could use a second screw
to hold it, like you did
with the arm itself, but
because the arm is such
a long lever arm, that
screw would actually be
in danger of deforming
or breaking. A better
solution would be to give
the structure support
at a point closer to the
end, thus reducing the
mechanical advantage
that the arm has relative
to the supports.
The arm is now more
stable and better able
to withstand stresses
placed on it from both
its own weight, and any
external forces acting
on it. The bracing arm
has both decreased the
mechanical advantage
from the long lever arm,
and spread the load over
two supports instead of
just one.
Shorter Lever Arm
Causes Less Strain
On Mounting Screw
Bracing Arm
Provides Support
And Shortens
Lever Arm
There are Now
Two Supports
Concepts to Understand, continued
Robust Fabrication, continued
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