countershaft

[koun-ter-shaft, -shahft]

noun

Machinery.

1. jackshaft.

countershaft

/ ˈkaʊntəˌʃɑːft /

noun

1. an intermediate shaft that is driven by, but rotates in the opposite direction to, a main shaft, esp in a gear train

Other Word Forms

• countershafting noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of countershaft¹

First recorded in 1860–65; counter- + shaft

Example Sentences

The overhead countershaft carries the grooved driving wheel a.

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This dividing mechanism is driven by an independent belt from the countershaft to the pulley p, which is secured to a pinion p1, running loose on a stud.

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This, Mr. Lord accomplishes by the following mechanism: Instead of driving the lathe from an ordinary countershaft, he introduces a pair of cones which will vary the speed of the lathe as shown in Fig.

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To give the table a quick return so that less time may be occupied for the non-cutting stroke, all that is necessary is to make the countershaft pulley that operates during the back traverse of larger diameter than that which drives during the cutting traverse of the table.

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The arrangement of the countershaft pulleys and belts is shown in Fig.

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