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Frames and machines2D

Lever or bolt cutter

Disassemble connected rigid members, preserve action-reaction pairs, and calculate force transformation through mechanisms.

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Interactive engineering simulation

Lever and Bolt-Cutter Machine

Change lever arms and quantify ideal mechanical advantage and equilibrium residual.

Rigid-body statics
explore task
Balance input and output moments about the pivot before interpreting mechanical advantage.
Input 24.0 kNOutput 101.2 kNMoment balance about pivot
Input force
24 kN
kN
5–80

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Input arm
0.55 m
m
0.20–1.20

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Output arm
0.12 m
m
0.05–0.40

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply; Escape restores the current value.

Mechanical advantage
4.22
Input force
24.00 kN
Equilibrium residual
0.000000
FB,1=−FB,2\mathbf{F}_{B,1}=-\mathbf{F}_{B,2}

A member pinned at only two ends with no intermediate load is treated as a two-force member. Otherwise, retain all pin components and moments required by equilibrium.

Diagrams are schematic equilibrium models. Member lines do not show elastic deformation, buckling, connection flexibility, or second-order effects.
Model scope and verification

Use the displayed units and idealizations, then verify the governing balance or compatibility equation before interpreting the result.

Related simulations

Frame disassemblyCompound framePulley-supporting frameExcavator or crane linkage