Two Arm Lever Apparatus | FrixoDynamics FX-515

The SCIENTICO FrixoDynamics FX-515 Two Arm Lever Apparatus is a bench-top statics unit for the experimental study of moment equilibrium on a centrally pivoted beam. The 600 mm beam — mounted on precision ball bearings at its midpoint and graduated along its full length — provides two 300 mm lever arms on which three riders with hooks can be positioned at any scale point. Known weights are applied to each rider, and students adjust load positions and magnitudes to achieve rotational equilibrium, directly verifying the law of moments. The ball bearing pivot ensures high sensitivity to moment imbalance, making the unit suitable for precise quantitative experiments as well as introductory demonstrations. A comprehensive weight set covering 0.5 N to 5 N denominations supports a wide range of loading combinations. Manufactured by SCIENTICO, available for institutional supply and international distribution.

The SCIENTICO FrixoDynamics FX-515 Two Arm Lever Apparatus is a bench-top experimental unit for the study of moment equilibrium on a centrally pivoted beam. Students apply loads at varying distances from the central pivot on both arms of the lever and investigate the conditions required to achieve rotational equilibrium, directly verifying the law of moments. The beam is centrally mounted on precision ball bearings, and its integrated scale allows lever arm lengths to be read directly without additional measuring instruments. Three sets of weights and three riders with hooks provide a wide range of load and position combinations. Manufactured by SCIENTICO, the FX-515 is suitable for supply to engineering institutions and distributors worldwide.

Product Overview

The law of moments states that a body is in rotational equilibrium when the sum of clockwise moments about a pivot equals the sum of anticlockwise moments. The FX-515 demonstrates this principle through direct physical experimentation on a two-arm lever — one of the most fundamental mechanical systems in statics and applied mechanics.

The apparatus consists of a 600 mm beam centrally mounted on a sturdy vertical metal frame via a ball bearing pivot. With 300 mm of lever arm available on each side of the pivot, students position riders with hooks at chosen points along the beam scale and hang known weights from them. The moment generated by each load is the product of the weight and its distance from the pivot. By adjusting the positions and magnitudes of loads on both arms, students find the combinations that produce equilibrium — confirming the moment balance condition experimentally.

The ball bearing mounting ensures that the pivot introduces negligible friction, so the beam responds sensitively to small moment imbalances. This makes the FX-515 suitable for precise, quantitative experiments rather than purely qualitative demonstrations. Three riders allow up to three simultaneous load positions to be set on the beam, enabling experiments involving multiple forces on one or both arms — progressively increasing in complexity as students gain confidence with the fundamental principle.

Parameter Specification
Model FrixoDynamics FX-515
Beam Dimensions (L x W x H) 600 x 30 x 10 mm
Lever Arm Length 2 x 300 mm (each side of pivot)
Pivot Mounting Centrally ball bearing-mounted
Beam Scale Integrated graduated scale
Riders 3 riders with hooks
Frame Sturdy metal construction
Weight Set 3 x 0.5 N hangers, 6 x 5 N, 12 x 1 N, 6 x 2 N
Scope of Delivery 1 experimental unit, 3 sets of weights, 3 riders, 1 instructional manual

Key Features

  • Centrally ball bearing-mounted beam provides low-friction pivot for sensitive, accurate moment equilibrium experiments
  • 600 mm beam with integrated graduated scale allows lever arm lengths to be read directly without a separate ruler
  • Equal lever arms of 300 mm on each side of the pivot for symmetric and asymmetric loading configurations
  • Three riders with hooks enable up to three simultaneous load positions on the beam
  • Comprehensive weight set (0.5 N to 5 N denominations) provides wide range of load combinations for varied moment experiments
  • Sturdy metal frame ensures stable, consistent positioning throughout experiments
  • Compact bench-top design requiring no wall mounting or clamping
  • Suitable for both introductory demonstrations and systematic quantitative moment equilibrium experiments

Applications

  • Experimental verification of the law of moments and conditions for rotational equilibrium
  • Investigation of the relationship between applied force, lever arm length, and generated moment
  • Study of the action of forces dependent on lever arm distance from the pivot
  • Experiments with single and multiple loads on one or both arms of the lever
  • Determination of unknown forces by establishing equilibrium conditions
  • Undergraduate laboratory practicals in statics, applied mechanics, and engineering fundamentals
  • Introductory mechanics demonstrations for engineering and physics programmes

Construction and System Design

The FX-515 beam is a precision-machined flat bar of 600 x 30 x 10 mm, with a graduated scale marked along its full length for direct lever arm measurement. The beam is mounted at its midpoint on a ball bearing assembly housed within the vertical metal support frame. The ball bearing pivot allows the beam to rotate freely in the vertical plane with minimal resistance, ensuring that even small moment imbalances result in a visible deflection of the beam from horizontal — providing a clear and sensitive equilibrium indicator.

Three riders, each fitted with a hook, slide along the beam and can be positioned at any point on the graduated scale. Each rider accepts one or more weight hangers, allowing loads to be built up in fine increments using the provided weight denominations — 0.5 N, 1 N, 2 N, and 5 N. The three separate weight sets allow each rider to be loaded independently without the need to transfer weights between positions during an experiment. The metal frame base is of sufficient mass and footprint to remain stable on a laboratory bench throughout the loading range without requiring any fixing or clamping.

Export and Supply Capability

The SCIENTICO FrixoDynamics FX-515 is available for supply to engineering colleges, technical universities, mechanical engineering departments, research institutions, and industrial training centres. SCIENTICO manufactures and exports laboratory equipment to institutions and distributors across multiple regions. Standard packaging is suitable for international shipment. Bulk orders, customised configurations, and institutional procurement enquiries are welcomed. Please contact SCIENTICO directly for pricing, lead times, and shipping terms.

Q1: What is the two arm lever apparatus used for in engineering education?

The FX-515 is used to study the conditions for rotational equilibrium on a centrally pivoted beam. Students apply known loads at different positions along both arms of the lever and determine the combinations of force and lever arm length that produce moment balance. The apparatus directly verifies the law of moments — that the sum of clockwise moments equals the sum of anticlockwise moments about the pivot at equilibrium.

Q2: What is the law of moments, and how does the FX-515 verify it?

The law of moments states that a body in rotational equilibrium has equal total clockwise and anticlockwise moments about any pivot point. The FX-515 verifies this by allowing students to place known weights at measured distances from the central pivot on both arms of the beam, calculate the moment contributed by each load, and confirm that equilibrium is achieved when the sum of moments on both sides balances. The ball bearing pivot ensures the beam responds sensitively to any moment imbalance.

Q3: Why is a ball bearing used at the pivot of the FX-515?

A ball bearing pivot minimises rotational friction at the central mount, ensuring that the beam responds to even small moment imbalances with a visible deflection. Without low-friction bearings, friction at the pivot would mask small differences between the moments on each arm, reducing the sensitivity and accuracy of the equilibrium experiments. The ball bearing mounting allows the FX-515 to be used for precise quantitative experiments rather than only qualitative demonstrations.

Q4: How many load positions can be used simultaneously on the FX-515?

The FX-515 is supplied with three riders, each fitted with a hook, which can be positioned independently at any point along the beam scale on either arm. This allows up to three simultaneous load positions to be set at any time, enabling experiments with multiple forces on a single arm, forces distributed across both arms, or progressive experiments that add one load at a time while adjusting others to maintain or restore equilibrium.

Q5: What is included in the scope of delivery for the FX-515?

The FX-515 is supplied as a complete experimental kit including: one two-arm lever experimental unit with 600 mm ball bearing-mounted beam and sturdy metal frame; three riders with hooks; three sets of weights (3 x 0.5 N hangers, 6 x 5 N, 12 x 1 N, 6 x 2 N); and one instructional manual covering experimental procedures, moment calculations, and data recording guidance.

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