Pulley System API
Pulley and block-and-tackle mechanics as an API, computed locally and deterministically. The advantage endpoint computes the mechanical advantage of a pulley system — the ideal MA equals the number of rope parts supporting the load, which is also the velocity ratio — and returns the effort needed to hold or raise a load, effort = load/(n·efficiency), the length of rope that must be pulled (n times the lift height) and the work in and out. The friction endpoint models a real block and tackle where every sheave loses a little tension: the mechanical advantage becomes MA = e·(1−eⁿ)/(1−e) for a per-sheave efficiency e (≈0.96 for a plain bearing, ≈0.98 for a ball bearing), so it returns the true MA, the overall efficiency and the extra effort friction costs you. The solve endpoint takes any two of the load, the effort and the number of rope parts and returns the third — for example, how many parts you need so a given person can raise a given load, or the heaviest load a winch can lift. Everything is computed locally and deterministically, so it is instant and private. Ideal for rigging, lifting and hoist-design tools, sailing, climbing and theatre-rigging apps, crane and winch sizing, and physics education. Pure local computation — no key, no third-party service, instant. Live, nothing stored. 3 endpoints. This is pulley and block-and-tackle mechanics; for lever and moment balance use a lever API and for rope-around-a-drum capstan friction use a capstan API.
api.oanor.com/pulley-api
