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Unread 19-01-2011, 21:55
LLogan LLogan is offline
Head Screw Tightener/Cheerleader
AKA: Logan
FRC #1261 (Robolions)
Team Role: Leadership
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Suwanee, GA
Posts: 71
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Pulley Radius: how to factor this into calculations?

Hi guys,

My team is thinking of using a winch for an elevator system. Naturally, we need a few pulleys. From what I learned in my physics courses, pulleys just redirect the direction of force/weight. However, we all know the AP curricula mostly assumes the "perfect physics world."

Theoretically, smaller pulleys have a lesser moment of inertia, but I am not sure if that even factors into our FIRST-scale applications. On the other hand, I have heard anecdotally that larger diameter pulleys are "better" (sorry, don't know the physics-related term I can give for this).

Please help enlighten some confusion on my team.

-Logan
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