Basic Machines and How They Work

by Naval Education And Training Program

This revised edition of an extremely clear Navy training manual leaves nothing to be desired in its presentation. Thorough in its coverage of basic theory, from the lever and inclined plane to internal combustion engines and power trains, it requires nothing more than an understanding of the most elementary mathematics.
Beginning with the simplest of machines — the lever — the text proceeds to discussions of the block and tackle (pulleys and hoists), wheel and axle, the inclined plane and the wedge, the screw, and different types of gears (simple, spur, bevel, herringbone, spiral, worm, etc.). A chapter on the concept of work discusses the measurement of work, friction, and efficiency; this is followed by investigations of power, force, and pressure, with explanations of the uses of scales, balances, gauges, and barometers. The fundamentals of hydrostatic and hydraulic machines (such as the hydraulic braking system and the hydraulic press) are discussed in detail.
The remaining chapters cover machine elements (bearings and springs), basic mechanisms (gear differential, couplings, cams, clutches), the internal combustion engine and power trains (including explanations of various transmission systems — synchromesh, auxiliary, etc.).
Every concept is clearly defined, and discussions always build easily from elementary theory to specific applications familiar to anyone with the slightest interest in mechanics. Important concepts, machine components, and techniques are clearly illustrated in more than 200 diagrams, drawings, and cross-sections that reveal inner workings — all of these help to clarify even further an already clear and well-organized presentation.
Although it was originally designed for use in U.S. Naval Training Schools, this book can be used to great advantage as a basic text in mechanical engineering in standard technical schools, and it will be immensely valuable even to lay readers who desire a basic knowledge of mechanics.

Genres: Engineering, Science, Nonfiction, Physics, Reference, Technology, Textbooks

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1971

Reviews

[Bazingo Bro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to be honest; the first time reading this I did not do the assignments and didn't "study" the materials. Regardless of that, I think this book has done more for my physics/mechanical thinking than 5 years of High School has done for me!

The book starts out with the simplest of machines: Levers and inclined planes. Every chapter adds more to the equation and before you know it, you're reading about the working of Diesel Engines and Power Trains.

Throughout the book there are several assignments to test your knowledge. Like I said, personally I skipped them but the knowledge given beforehand should be enough to solve the assignments.

With that said, there are some issues I have with this book. None of them have to do with the content necessarily.

- The images are rather low in quality. They are printed out in a large format luckily, but the contrast and overall blurriness of them do make it harder to make out certain things.

- There are a lot of spelling mistakes, ranging from small errors I overlooked in the first place all the way to forming new words ('bum' instead of 'burn') and messing up part names ('vale springs' instead of 'val e springs'). For it being a guide for the military, you would think errors like that would be nipped in the bud.

- The layout is horendous. In the earlier chapters, this is hardly noticable (besides the Bible like text layout). In the later chapters however, the text referred to images that were placed 1-2 pages prior! This too is really confusing and rather odd, as there are a lot of ways around this.

-This might be my biggest pet peeve but THERE ARE NO ANSWERS TO THE ASSIGNMENTS. The only way to get your answers checked, is to send them over mail to an address mentioned in the first few pages. Seeing as this book is several decennia old, I assume the address is not in use anymore. I have no way of testing this though; I DON'T LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Now I understand this guide was meant to train the U.S.A. Navy, but since it's still being published (even overseas might I add!), I think it's a lot of hogwash that these issues remain since they are really easy to fix. For example, post the answers to the assignment online on the publisher's website, make the layout work with the text you are writing (at the very least keep referred to images on the same page as the text), have someone spell check the writing before publishing it, remake/rescan the images (color would be very much appreciated too).

But, maybe I am being to harsh. It is an older book, and I get that it might be too much effort for the gains made on these changes. It saddens me though; the content of this book is AMAZING, and you would be pressed hard to find a similar book for this price point with the amount of depth the writing covers.

I think this book is great for the mechanically inept (like me), engineering students and serious hobbyists who'd like to step up their game

[Cody Hoeffel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written for the navy as a brief textbook on the workings of the basic machinery from levers to gears,. The book provides crystal clear illustrations and simple explanations of the math. If you're studying mechanical engineering or are interested in learning how some of the most fundamental machines around you work, and how to calculate their functions.

[Jirawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 2 main parts of a machine the lever and the inclined plate. This book makes machinery sound like an easy topic. There is a lot of formula that is used in engineering and most of them are physics formulas. In order for us to understand fully, it would take some time but because this book provides you with the formula and examples it made it easier for me to understand. This book sparked my interest in engineering and makes me want to proceed on to do more research.

[Sandy Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine book. The first half is awful, talking about pulleys and wedges and stuff and MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE and how to calculate it which nobody in the target audience will ever do. But then it talks about hydraulics and internal combustion engines and it's much more interesting if still makes you wonder if the book is really written for sailors.

[Rick Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Great Introduction to Basic Machines, it builds up slowly and ends with Powertrains.

--Deus Vult
Gottfried.

[Jeff]

Has a great description of hydraulic systems.

[Andrew Sever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really informative

[Andrew Cocozza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does a great job of starting simple and building up to complex machines and concepts.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent primer on basic machinery with straightforward and easy to understand explanations, wonderfully detailed yet easy to read diagrams, and no fluff or drama. I am learning things I always wanted to learn. Alignment of pistons and their firing order, the difference in strokes, the formulas for calculating different forces—all here. Air pressure and water pressure and their uses in naval machinery, all here. Oh, a minor point of note, this book is published by the US Navy for use by the navy. That explains a lot about why the book is so darn utilitarian and practical.

[CoolBreeze1978 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandpfather would be proud that I read this book. It covers the basics and provides enough knowledge on the subject that you won't have to read much more about machines to understand them. This is a book for novices, and a decent one.

[Lafcadio · Rating 2 out of 5]

The way things work, only without all the pesky mammoths and humor.

[Mills College Library]

621.8 B3115 1997