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A worm and worm gear mechanism is often used in stringed musical instruments, such as cellos and guitars, to tension the strings to their correct pitch - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question 9 - 2022
Question 9
A worm and worm gear mechanism is often used in stringed musical instruments, such as cellos and guitars, to tension the strings to their correct pitch. (i) Describ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A worm and worm gear mechanism is often used in stringed musical instruments, such as cellos and guitars, to tension the strings to their correct pitch - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question 9 - 2022
Step 1
Describe, with the aid of a diagram, the operation of the worm and worm gear in the tensioning of the strings.
Answer
The operation of the worm and worm gear mechanism is based on rotational movement. When the thumb key is turned, it rotates the worm. This rotation, in turn, rotates the worm gear connected to it.
As the worm turns, it engages the teeth of the worm gear, resulting in the rotation of the gear. Depending on the direction of the worm's rotation, the connected string can either be tightened or loosened, allowing for precise tuning of the stringed instrument.
Below is a diagram representing the mechanism:
- Thumb key: Used to turn the worm to rotate the worm gear.
- Connection for string: Where the string is attached, enabling it to be tensioned appropriately.
Step 2
Discuss two advantages of using this mechanism in the musical instrument shown.
Answer
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High Gear Reduction: The worm drive offers a high gear reduction, meaning that with one complete turn of the worm, the string tension changes only a little due to the limited movement of the worm gear. This allows for finer adjustments when tuning the strings, ensuring the correct pitch is achieved easily.
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Stability in Tuning: Once the correct pitch is set, the worm cannot turn backward due to the design of the mechanism. This ensures that the string will not "slip" backward, maintaining the tension and stability, which is essential for the consistent sound quality in musical performances.