LAB EXPERIMENT 10

Student Name: _______________________________

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Signature of the lab tutor ___________________
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ID No.
Date:

To demonstrate the working principle of Geneva mechanism on a

laboratory scale apparatus
Performance Objectives:
i.
ii.
iii.

To understand the work principle of Geneva mechanism.

To learn the importance in textile Engineering.
To identify the factors affecting the performance of Geneva mechanism.

Apparatus:
Laboratory scale designed of Geneva mechanism.
Discussion / Theory :
The Geneva mechanism was originally invented by a watch maker. The name
derives from the devices eerier application in mechanical watches Switzerland and Geneva
being an important concern of watch making. It is also known as pin and star wheel. It is a
devise which is used to convert the continuous rotary into an intermittent rotary motion.
As show in the Figure 121, the driver wheel is an ordinary sprocket with a pin fitted
as a point near the circumference. The driven wheel is shaped as show and has radical slots
cut at regular intervals around its circumference. As the pin rotates, it enters one of these
slots, moves the driven through a pre-determined angle, and then leaves the slot so that the
movement of the driven wheel casts. The drive wheel also has a raised circular blacking dies
that locks the driven wheel position between stops. The mechanism needs to be well
lubricated; it is often enclosing in a capsule.
The number of slots around the dream wheel, the number and position of pin on the
Denver
wheel and the shaft spacing are arranged in achieve the desired intermittent
movement of the denser wheel. There is usually a large huu on the driver wheel to keep the
star wheel locked in position when it is not turning.
Geneva Wheel Design:
Many factors contribute to a successful Geneva mechanism design such as material
used, surface finish, tolerances, loads, stress levels, lubricant, etc.
Unsuccessful experimental application of this mechanism usually results in two
modes of failure pin wear and wheel breakage of these two modes, wear is the
handset to control.
The present design approach here is to reduce wear by altering the geometry of
wheel to reduce the contact stress while maintaining acceptable stress level in other
regions of the wheel.

Mujahid Medhi

Page 1

 The design of the Geneva mechanism is initiated by specifying the hub radius, the
roller diameter and the number of slots. At least 3 slots are necessary but most
problems can be solved with wheel having from 4 to 12 slots.
The lower wheel drives the upper one. The national movement of the lower wheel is
continues but the upper wheel only rotates intermittently (in steps). It takes six
revolutions of the lower wheel to produce one revolution of the upper wheel. If there
is six slots present in the star wheel.
The drive pin on the lower wheel engages with the slots on the
Geneva
Wheel and makes it turn just enough so that it is position when the pin comes round again.

Procedure / Method:
1. Demonstrate the parts and working principle of the entire apparatus while it is turned
off.
2. Plug in the main power supply and explain the mechanics involved in the design of
the apparatus, while the apparatus is running.
3. Explain the variable factors exist in the apparatus, such as number of slots in the
drive wheel and number of pins on the driving wheel.
4. Remove the main power supply.
Test Results / Report:
The test result s / report should include the following particulars:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Manufacturer and model.

Important parts.
No of pins in drive wheel.
No of slots in driven wheel
Type of belt used.

Review Question:
Mujahid Mehdi

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1. Why the Geneva Mechanism is called as Pin and star wheel?

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2. State the applications of Geneva mechanism in textile?
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3. Discuss the factors by which we can regular the movement of the driven wheel?
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Final Checklist:
1. Clean your apparatus and workbench before you leave.
2. Keep the apparatus back to their proper places.
3. Submit your answer to questions together with your data, calculations and results
Leaving the laboratory.

Mujahid Mehdi

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