Toggle-clamp geometry and force calculator

Symmetric frictionless toggle at a supplied angle; away from dead center.

linkages-toggle-clamp.napkin / editable

SCENARIO COMPARISON

Compare the numbers.

This source describes an analytical model. Its quantities and checks are the view.

Scenario	outputForceN
	141.782
	113.426

All calculated quantities are listed with the inputs. Switch to Source to inspect the equations.

SCENARIOS / CALCULATED VALUESSAME SOURCE

Change an input to see the consequences.

clamp force target141.78 N✓ passes

BASELINE INPUTS

inputForce50 Nangle10 deg

CALCULATED

outputForce141.78 N

Edits change the baseline source.

THE SOURCE

Edits below update the same model.

# Toggle-clamp geometry and force
# Scope: Symmetric frictionless toggle at a supplied angle; away from dead center.
# Status: illustrative worked example; engineering review pending.
# Inputs are example values. Checks are editable example requirements, not standards.

inputForce = 50 N
angle = 10 deg

outputForce := inputForce/(2*tan(angle)) [N]

check clamp force target: outputForce >= 100 N

scenario alternative: inputForce = 40 N

Calculated from your source · not saved

Baseline · Baseline

clamp force target141.78 N ✓ passes

alternative · alternative

clamp force target113.43 N ✓ passes

Illustrative first-order example. Checks are editable requirements, not design standards. The broader topic may require additional equations, data, and validation.

Formula and units

This example uses the following equations. Input names and units match the editable source above.

output force: outputForce = inputForce/(2*tan(angle)) [N]

Original worked example

These are the baseline values in the downloadable source. Edits above let you test your own values.

Given

input force: 50 N
angle: 10 deg

Calculated

output force: 141.782 N

Assumptions and limits

Symmetric frictionless toggle at a supplied angle; away from dead center.

The requirement checks use the limits written in this example. Passing a check does not establish that the model covers every load, material behavior, or operating condition in a real design.

Download this .napkin example ↓

Take it further with your agent

Napkin keeps the inputs, equations, checks and assumptions together in one study. Your agent sets it up; you change the numbers.

Try with Claude ↗

codex 'Use Napkin (https://napkin.engineering/mcp, or the local Napkin plugin) to build a study: Toggle-clamp geometry and force. Inputs: link lengths; input force; terminal angle. Outputs: clamp force estimate; travel; singularity. Model scope: Planar rigid-link geometry with explicit joints and branches. Read napkin_capabilities and the current snapshot. Ask me for the values that matter, label assumptions with units, author .napkin source, validate it and apply it with napkin_source using the current revision, then open the study. Add checks for the limits I supply. Keep unsupported analyses explicit.'

Claude needs the Napkin connector; Codex needs the Napkin plugin. Set up your agent ↗

The broader study

The topic brief below describes the broader scope. The worked example above states the particular calculation it implements.

Inputs: link lengths, input force, terminal angle
Outputs: clamp force estimate, travel, singularity
Modes: calculate, compare, sweep
Drawing: Interactive linkage

EXECUTABLE WORKED EXAMPLE · FIRST-ORDER MODEL · CHECK THE SCOPE & ASSUMPTIONS