Wedge: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox tool |
{{Infobox tool |
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| name = wedge |
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| image = Wedge-1.jpg |
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| caption =Woodsplitting wedge |
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| other_name = |
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| classification = [[Hand tool]] |
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| types = |
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| used_with =[[Sledgehammer]] |
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| related = [[Chisel]]<br>[[Splitting maul]]<br>[[Axe]] |
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}}{{otheruses2|Wedge}} |
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A '''wedge''' is a [[triangle|triangular]] shaped tool, a compound and portable [[inclined plane]], and one of the six classical [[simple machine]]s. It can be used to separate two objects, or portions of objects, lift an object, or hold an object in place. It operates by converting a [[force]] applied to the wide end into forces perpendicular to the inclined surfaces. The [[mechanical advantage]] of a wedge depends on the ratio of its length to its thickness. Where a short wedge with a wide angle does the job faster, it requires more force than a long wedge with a smaller angle. |
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==History== |
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The origin of the wedge is unknown, because it has been in use for over 9000 years. In [[Ancient Egypt]] [[quarry]]s, [[bronze]] wedges were used to break away blocks of rock used for construction. [[Wood]] wedges, that swelled after being wet, were also used. Some [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] tribes used [[antler]] wedges as a means of splitting and working wood to make [[canoes]], houses, and other wood objects. |
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==Examples for lifting and separating== |
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Wedges can be used to lift heavy objects, separating them from the surface they rest on. They can also be used to separate objects, such as blocks of cut stone. [[Splitting maul]]s and splitting wedges are used to split wood along the grain. A narrow wedge with a relatively long [[taper]] used to finely adjust the distance between objects is called a [[shim (engineering)|shim]], and is commonly used in carpentry. |
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==Examples for holding fast== |
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[[Image:4th July 032.jpg|thumb|100px|An insect nest is wedged in between two stones to hold it in place.]] |
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Wedges can also be used to hold objects in place, such as [[Internal combustion engine|engine]] parts ([[poppet valve]]s), [[bicycle]] parts ([[Stem (bicycle part)|stem]]s and [[Eccentric (mechanism)|eccentric]] [[bottom bracket]]s), and [[door]]s. |
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A [[door stop (furniture)|door stop]] (door wedge) is a wedge, and its main function is to generate friction between the bottom of the door and the ground. |
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A fork or [[nail (engineering)|nails]] can also be considered a type of wedge. While a nail will slice into wood when hammered, a [[Bolted joint|bolt]] will not be pushed in. This is because a nail is a wedge and a bolt is not. A nail is tapered to a point at its end, then gets thicker farther up towards the head of the nail. |
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== Mechanical advantage == |
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[[Image:Wedge-diagram.svg|thumb|100px|The downwards force on the wedge produces a horizontal force in the object]] |
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The mechanical advantage of a wedge is the length of the sloping side of the wedge divided by the width of the thick end of the wedge. Therefore the formula for a wedge is: |
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<math>MA={S \over T}</math> |
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In other words, divide the length of the wedge by its width at the thickest edge. |
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The more acute the angle of the wedge, the more mechanical advantage it will have. |
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Despite this, one reason that many splitting wedges have a wide angle is that an elastic material, such as wood, will bind a narrow wedge more readily than a wide wedge. This is why splitting mauls have a much larger angle than an axe. |
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==See also== |
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* [[Axe]] |
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* [[Inclined Plane]] |
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* [[Screw]] |
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* [[Splitting maul]] |
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== External links == |
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*[http://em-ntserver.unl.edu/Negahban/em223/note16/note16.htm (Mechanics of) wedges and screws] |
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{{Commonscat|Wedges}} |
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{{Simple machines}} |
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[[Category:Mechanics]] |
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[[Category:Tools]] |
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[[Category:Simple machines]] |
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[[ar:إسفين]] |
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[[an:Falca]] |
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[[ca:Falca]] |
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[[cs:Klín]] |
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[[de:Keil]] |
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[[el:Σφήνα]] |
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[[es:Cuña (máquina)]] |
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[[eo:Kojno]] |
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[[fr:Coin (machine simple)]] |
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[[ko:쐐기]] |
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[[hr:Klin]] |
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[[id:Baji]] |
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[[is:Fleygur]] |
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[[it:Cuneo (fisica)]] |
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[[he:טריז]] |
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[[hu:Ék]] |
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[[nl:Wig (gereedschap)]] |
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[[ja:くさび]] |
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[[no:Kile]] |
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[[oc:Conhet]] |
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[[pl:Klin (fizyka)]] |
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[[pt:Cunha (ferramenta)]] |
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[[ksh:Këijl (Wërrkzeush)]] |
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[[qu:Q'imina]] |
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[[ru:Клин (механика)]] |
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[[simple:Wedge (mechanics)]] |
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[[sk:Klin (nástroj)]] |
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[[sl:Zagozda]] |
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[[sr:Клин]] |
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[[fi:Kiila]] |
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[[sv:Kil (enkel maskin)]] |
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[[ta:ஆப்பு]] |
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[[th:ลิ่ม]] |
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[[uk:Клин (механіка)]] |
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[[bat-smg:Plėištos]] |
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[[zh:楔子]] |
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Revision as of 17:59, 19 November 2008
{{Infobox tool