This partial calculator treats a selected number of equally spaced positions and assumes exactly one pitch per selected event interval. It reports angular pitch, selected event rate and average selected index rate; it does not predict ratchet, pawl, detent, locking or back-drive behavior.
Star Wheel Ratchet - Selected Index-Timing Ledger
Explore selected equal-spacing and one-pitch-per-event timing arithmetic.
Equation Used
- N positions are equally spaced around one revolution.
- Each selected event is assumed to advance exactly one pitch.
- The event interval is entered and is not a measured ratchet cycle.
- Average selected index rate is pitch divided by interval and contains no within-event motion profile.
- Ratchet engagement, locking, back-drive behavior, loads, wear and safety are excluded.
The secondary figure shows equal pitch references and a selected interval ledger, not ratchet tooth or detent geometry.
Selected index-timing ledger
N equally spaced positions have angular pitch 360/N degrees. Under the explicit one-pitch-per-event assumption, an entered event interval t gives selected event rate 60/t events per minute and average selected index rate (360/N)/t degrees per second.
What the calculator determines
Use it to inspect exact equal-spacing and selected timing arithmetic. It cannot establish that a physical ratchet advances, locks, resists reverse motion or repeats under load.
Selected relationships
Angular pitch=360/N; selected event rate=60/t; average selected index rate=360/(Nt).
Selected-input example
For six equally spaced positions and a selected event interval of 3.5 seconds, angular pitch is 60 degrees per event, selected event rate is about 17.143 events per minute and average selected index rate is about 17.143 degrees per second.
Not a ratchet-performance model
Tooth and pawl geometry, clearances, engagement, spring force, friction, inertia, input stroke, impact, load, wear, reverse motion, structure and safety are excluded.
Questions
Does every event advance a real ratchet one pitch?
No. That is an explicit selected arithmetic assumption, not a validated mechanism claim.
Are the displayed positions lock points?
No. They are equal-spacing references only.
Does the average rate describe motion within an event?
No. It is angular pitch divided by selected interval and contains no motion profile.
Authoritative reference
- NASA Glenn - Angular Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration — defines average angular velocity as angular displacement divided by elapsed time.
Building or designing a mechanism like this?
Explore the precision-engineered motion control hardware used by mechanical engineers, makers, and product designers.
