Vex Bionic Arm Part lifting 5 pound weight

[tswift]

:D The prototype Bionic Arm can easily lift 5 pounds using a Vex motor. The Bionic Arm uses a 5/16" Threaded rod and three 5/16" nuts soldered to a Vex rail that act as a linear slider used to effortlessly raise or lower the five pound weight using only a Vex motor and gears. The arm moves very slowly but it is amazing how much a Vex motor can lift when used in this manner.

Think of the ancient Egypt Pyramids and how they must have been built using just leverage.

http://www.vexforum.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=404&catid=member&imageuser=392

[Paulwa]

Yep, very useful fact of physics.
Paul

[Yosef & Ethan]

how many gears did you use in all?

[tswift]

I used four gears if you include the small gear on the motor itself for a 60:36 gear ratio with the 36 tooth gear driving the 60 tooth gear for the Bionic Arm. The 60-tooth gear directly drives the 5/16" threaded rod. The two 60 tooth gears are stacked together for extra strength. Sorry it took me so long to respond but I was on vacation.