RoyMech Help and Selection Guides provide a starting point for engineers, students and apprentices who are unsure which technical reference, component, standard or calculation method they need.
The guides explain the main engineering choices within each subject and then direct you to the appropriate RoyMech technical pages for detailed calculations, dimensions, standards data and design information.
Jump to a subject area:
Guidance on choosing appropriate mechanics and structural analysis methods, from forces and motion through to stress, strain, failure, buckling and component deformation.
| Help & Selection Guide | Use this guide when... |
|---|---|
| Mechanics and Stress Analysis Guide | You need to choose between vectors, statics, kinematics, dynamics, loading, stress and strain, failure criteria, buckling, pressure stress, rotating components, torsion or plate analysis. |
| Beam Design and Analysis Guide | You need to identify the appropriate beam type, support or loading condition, or choose a method for bending, shear, deflection, continuous beams or curved beams. |
Guidance for selecting mechanical components and understanding the principal design considerations before using the detailed RoyMech dimensions, calculations and standards data.
| Help & Selection Guide | Use this guide when... |
|---|---|
| Machine Element Selection Guide | You need to choose between cams, flywheels, power screws, shock absorbers, springs or mechanisms for motion, force transmission, energy storage or impact control. |
| Mechanism Selection Guide | You need a mechanism for indexing, one-way, reciprocating, rocking or intermittent motion, or need to choose between ratchets, escapements, Geneva drives, cams and linkages. |
| Circlip and Pin Selection Guide | You need to choose between external or internal circlips, split cotter pins or taper pins for retaining, locating or securing components in a mechanical assembly. |
| Key and Spline Selection Guide | You need to select keys, keyways or splines for transmitting torque between shafts and hubs, or locate the appropriate dimensional and design reference. |
| Spring Selection and Design Guide | You need to select a spring type or design method, including compression, extension and torsion spring applications covered by RoyMech. |
| Fastener Selection Guide | You need to choose a bolt, screw, stud or threaded fastener arrangement, understand preload and joint behaviour, select a locking method, or find the appropriate thread, strength, tolerance and dimensional reference. |
| Lifting Equipment Guide | You need to select eyebolts or shackles, understand working load limits, loading direction or sling angles, or distinguish between current and legacy lifting equipment references. |
Guidance for understanding friction, selecting an appropriate lubrication method, interpreting viscosity data and identifying wear mechanisms before using the detailed RoyMech tribology reference pages.
| Help & Selection Guide | Use this guide when... |
|---|---|
| Tribology, Friction and Lubrication Guide | You need to select an appropriate coefficient of friction, distinguish between static and sliding friction, choose between liquid, solid or gas lubrication, understand lubricant viscosity, or identify and reduce common forms of wear. |
Guidance for interpreting engineering tolerances and selecting appropriate dimensional design data for mechanical components and assemblies.
| Help & Selection Guide | Use this guide when... |
|---|---|
| How to Use ISO Tolerances | You need to use the ISO system of limits and fits, understand tolerance grades and fundamental deviations, or select an appropriate shaft and hole fit. |
Guidance for navigating RoyMech pipe and flange references and selecting appropriate dimensional and standards information for piping systems.
| Help & Selection Guide | Use this guide when... |
|---|---|
| Flange and Pipe Selection Guide | You need to select pipe or flange information, understand flange types and pressure classifications, find pipe dimensions, or identify the appropriate RoyMech piping and flange reference. |
The Help and Selection Guides are intended to answer the questions that normally come before using a detailed engineering reference: what type of component or calculation is appropriate, what factors affect the choice, and which technical information is required next.
Once the appropriate route has been identified, each guide links to the relevant RoyMech technical pages containing the detailed equations, dimensions, tables, standards information and engineering data.