mehanizma

Mehanizam is a term used in several South Slavic languages to denote a mechanism—the system of moving parts that transmits and transforms motion and force to produce a specific outcome. In English, the closest equivalent is mechanism. A mehanizam may be a simple device like a lever or a component of a complex system such as a robotic arm or a clockwork mechanism.

A mehanizam typically consists of components such as linkages (bars or rods connected by joints), joints (pin, sliding, or rolling), actuators or power sources (manual, hydraulic, pneumatic, electric), and a frame or housing. The arrangement of these parts forms a kinematic chain with a certain number of degrees of freedom, which determines how the mechanism can move and what motions it can produce.

Common classes of mehanizmi include lever and fulcrum, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, screw, pulley, and gear trains. More complex mechanisms combine several sub-mechanisms to perform tasks such as converting rotary motion to linear motion (slider-crank), controlling timing, or synchronizing multiple motions. Mechanisms are analyzed in terms of kinematics and dynamics, with considerations of efficiency, backlash, wear, and control.

Applications of mehanizmi span a wide range of domains, including manufacturing, automotive transmissions, robotics, consumer electronics, and everyday devices. The study of mechanisms dates back to ancient engineering and evolved into formal disciplines of kinematics and mechanical design, providing the theoretical foundation for predicting motion and optimizing performance in machines.