Halfspindles

Halfspindles are a less common term, often encountered in discussions of early mechanical calculators or specialized machinery. It typically refers to a component that is part of a larger rotating assembly, specifically a shaft or rod that is only partially grooved or shaped to engage with other parts. Unlike a full spindle, which is a complete shaft designed for rotation and support, a halfspindle might be one half of a divided shaft or a section with a specific, non-continuous engagement feature.

The term can also appear in contexts where a symmetrical or mirrored shaft is divided into two identical halves, each referred to as a halfspindle. These components are crucial for the precise meshing and transmission of motion within intricate mechanical systems. In some older computing devices, halfspindles might have been used in accumulator or counter mechanisms to represent digits or intermediate values, where their specific form facilitated engagement with gears or other interacting parts. The precise function and design of a halfspindle are highly dependent on the specific machine it is part of.