What is Machine: Definition and 966 Discussions

A machine is a human-made device that uses power to apply forces and control movement to perform an action. Machines can be driven by animals and people, by natural forces such as wind and water, and by chemical, thermal, or electrical power, and include a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement. They can also include computers and sensors that monitor performance and plan movement, often called mechanical systems.
Renaissance natural philosophers identified six simple machines which were the elementary devices that put a load into motion, and calculated the ratio of output force to input force, known today as mechanical advantage.Modern machines are complex systems that consist of structural elements, mechanisms and control components and include interfaces for convenient use. Examples include: a wide range of vehicles, such as automobiles, boats and airplanes; appliances in the home and office, including computers, building air handling and water handling systems; as well as farm machinery, machine tools and factory automation systems and robots.

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  1. T

    Torque Calculation for Sweeper machine Broom

    Can anybody tell me how to calculate torque for rotating sweeper machine broom? Broom Dia is - 0.6 m Length - 2 m Weight - 150 Kg Rotating RPM - 150
  2. Calpalned

    How Do You Calculate Acceleration in a Double Atwood Machine?

    Homework Statement The double Atwood machine shown in the figure has frictionless, mass-less pulleys and cords. Determine the acceleration of mA, mB, mC. Homework Equations F = ma The Attempt at a Solution...
  3. Calpalned

    Acceleration of a triple Atwood Machine

    Homework Statement http://photo1.ask.fm/723/921/945/-419996993-1shh761-9gamg0f647hgbk/original/IMG_4081.jpg There is no friction at all and this is a pulley system. The pulleys and string are mass-less. The numbers correspond to the block weight (ex: 3 = 3kg). Homework Equations F = ma...
  4. Poetria

    Atwood machine at rest and released

    Homework Statement In the image shown, two blocks hang on a pulley. Assume that m1 is the more massive block, and that the pulley is massless and frictionless. Take the initial case to be the instant just after m1 is released from rest, and the final case to be the instant just before m2 hits...
  5. karter

    Testing Spring Force in Machine Movement

    Hi, We have been trying to make a machine that tests springs. ( a simple drawing is attached ) We place the spring between two points. The top point has an s-type loadcell attached to get the force data. The initial size of the spring is 150 mm's. (L0 size) For the experiment we stretch the...
  6. B

    Induction Machines: Torque Speed Characteristics & Benefits

    < Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical engineering forums, so no HH Template is shown > hello really need some help i would like to know how would the torque speed characteristic for a "constant frequency variable voltage supply" and 'variable frequency variable voltage...
  7. R

    An advanced two spring weighing machine

    Homework Statement A more sophisticated weighing machine contains two springs. The effect of these is that the machine is more sensitive to masses less than some fixed value M0 than it is to greater masses. The equilibrium displacement is alpha1*M when M<M0, and (alpha2+c) when M≥M0 , where...
  8. K

    Air machine and compressed air

    Homework Statement Air at pressure 20[atm] enters an air machine and leaves at 1[atm]. what must be the temperature of the air at the entrance so that when it leaves it is 00C. Assume adiabatic process. Homework Equations PV=nRT Adiabatic: ##P_1V_1^\gamma=P_2V_2^\gamma## The Attempt at a...
  9. D

    Help me out and tell me why this machine won't work

    I can't get this idea out of my head. I keep thinking it will work but there must be something wrong... Do me a favor a tell me why it won't work so I can stop thinking about it! In it's simplest form there's no crazy math to understand just a few basic laws of physics and mechanics. I guess...
  10. H

    Atwood's machine with angular momentum

    Homework Statement [/B] An Atwood's machine consists of two masses, mA and mB, which are connected by an inelastic cord of negligible mass that passes over a pulley. If the pulley has radius R0 and moment of inertia I about its axle, determine the acceleration of the masses mA and mB. Homework...
  11. J

    Programs Math major who has an interest in machine learning

    I'm a second year student and I've been researching about machine learning. I'd like to start learning more, and I'm wondering if someone could advise me on the appropriate modules to take which would help me in this goal. List of modules: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/maths/courses/undergraduates/ For...
  12. W

    Pedagogical machine problem (K&K 2.20)

    Homework Statement For context, the first question for this diagram asks for the force F on m1 needed to keep m3 at a constant height. The second question (which I'm struggling with) asks for the acceleration of m1 in the case where the force F=0. All surfaces are frictionless and I've...
  13. R

    Atwood Machine Lab: Graphing and Finding Moment of Inertia | Homework Help

    Homework Statement Good Morning, my teacher is making us redo this lab with data he collected. I was wondering if someone could check to see if I did it right so far. I have to graph the left side of equation B (in the spreadsheet) and the same for A. then I have to find the moment of inertia...
  14. J

    MHB Formally describe a Turing machine which decides if an input is odd or even.

    Hi, I need to use a transition function to describe a Turing machine that decides if $ a^n ∈ {a}^∗$ is odd or even. I've got an example in my notes that erases any input and halts. But I am struggling to do one for the odd and even question. Thanks for any help!
  15. B

    Electrical Consumption of Machine

    I need to know how much electricity a machine uses in kW please. On the machine information plate it states: 460 volts, 60 Hz, 161 amps, and it is a 3 phase. I took the readings for the volts and amps: Phase 1- 271 volts & 37.68 Amps Phase 2- 271 volts & 37.62 Amps Phase 3- 273 volts & 38 Amps...
  16. M

    MHB Relationship between the Turing Machine and RAM Models

    Hey! :o Could you tell me which is the relationship between the Turing Machine and RAM Models??
  17. O

    Changing masses on an atwood machine

    An example of this kind of a problem would be a frictionless, massless pulley holding two equal masses(say, 5kg each). But then, an additional mass is added to one side (ie, a frog jumping on to mass 1, 1 kg). What would happen to the system? What if the frog jumps off?Initially, I know that the...
  18. R

    Control of Axial flux synchronous machine

    Hi all, Just a quick question about control of axial flux synchronous machine. Does it follow more or less the same technique ( which include PWM, inverter and dq transformation )? Is there any major difference from control of radial flux machine? Thanks in advance. Regards.
  19. T

    Improving Machine Efficiency through Gear Ratio

    Does altering Gear Ratio improve efficiency (loss of energy as heat while converting EE to ME) of a machine? I also read online that having higher gear contact ratio improves the efficiency, but I really don't understand how.
  20. H

    How Do You Calculate Acceleration and Tension in a Double Atwood Machine?

    Homework Statement [/B] The double Atwood machine has frictionless, massless pulleys and cords. Determine the acceleration of masses mA,mB,mC, and the tensions in the cords.Homework Equations [/B] F=maThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] First I looked down the bottom section. Assuming mB> mA...
  21. T

    Atwood Machine Problem: Analyzing Friction & KE

    I'm actually grading this stuff, and have a question. Ideally there's no friction and no kinetic energy of pulley. If we take them into account, which one is more important? I wonder how to analyze this? Thanks a lot.
  22. cpscdave

    Synchronus Machine Characteristics (AFNL & AFSC)

    Hi everyone, I'm a little confused what is going on in our textbook. There are a number of questions that state the table below has the Open Circuit (No Load) and Short Circuit Characteristics of some synchronous machine. But then the columns don't seem to match that wording (I'd think that...
  23. K

    Calories generated in brakes of a machine

    Homework Statement A 1000 kg mass car is driving at 3 [m/sec], how many kcal develop in the brakes till full stop Homework Equations Kinetic energy: E=\frac{1}{2}mv^2 Energetic equivalent of a kcal: 4186 [joule] The Attempt at a Solution ##E=\frac{1}{2}1000\cdot 9=4500[joule]##...
  24. mishima

    Help explain this Turing machine notation

    Below is an image from a website article discussing a Turing machine. It is supposed to represent a Turing machine, but I don't really follow the notation. I assume this is part of Wolfram's book, "New Kind of Science", which I do not have a copy of. I have only ever seen a Turing machine...
  25. sunergeo

    Determining correct wiring for an old washing machine motor

    I have an old washing machine that finally bit the dust, so I've decided to attempt several projects with its remains. I want to try to make a mechanical chicken plucker using the tub and motor. I've disassembled and salvaged all the useful parts and scrap metal, but when it got down to trying...
  26. mishima

    Help ID this sensor from CPAP machine

    I was taking apart a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) humidifier earlier and found 2 of these sensors spaced around 5 cm apart from each other. They were in an air conduit leading from a filter material on the outside of the device to the pump intake. The points of the sensors were...
  27. A

    Atwood's Machine Lab Help (proportional error)

    I have attached the lab right now I am stuck on proportional error in multiple variables I want to take the lab step by step so i can learn how to do calculate all the variables from now on. I have lab partners during the lab but I am completely clueless when I am working on it on my...
  28. trash

    Constructing a Turing Machine for the min function

    Homework Statement I'm trying to construct a Turing machine that after receiving two integers x,y gives back the smaller one (or any of them if they are equal).Homework Equations I cannot use anything besides zeros and ones (I have seen that some people make turing machine using letters to keep...
  29. N

    Washing machine gate opener

    Hello Guys, Can I use a washing machine's motor in a sliding gate opener project ?
  30. Chacabucogod

    Thermodynamics -- Carnot Machine

    Why can we say that a Carnot's machine efficiency does not depend on the fluid that you are heating? Is it because Carnot's machine is very ideal, a mere thought experiment? I have another question. I know that the efficiency of a heat engine depends on the quantity of heat that enter and...
  31. B

    How imperfect is the human machine

    If we pull/ push a weight of 10kg and dislocate it 1 meter the energy spent is 10 joules, can someone tell me roughly if 10 j is 100% can anyone tell me how much energy (calories) has been burned /wasted in excess? I suppose it can vary in different persons and by different factors, I'd like...
  32. Chacabucogod

    Carnot Reversible Machine: Exploring the Impact on 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

    I was reading Cengel's thermodynamics and noticed that he uses a thought experiment to show that there is no machine that is more efficient than the Carnot reversible machine. He says that both a reversible machine and an irreversible machine are connected to high and low temperature deposits...
  33. E

    Building machine to keep ball rotating

    I need a contraption that can keep a ball spinning, smoothly, at a slow speed. If it has a variable speed control, that would be better, but minimally it would need to spin a soccer ball and take around 30 seconds to make a full rotation. The look of the device doesn't matter, just that it...
  34. S

    Probablility of a gambling machine

    Homework Statement A gambling machine shows one out of five colours, red , orange , yeloow, green and blue. When the machine is working properly, every colour has an equal chance of appearing the colour. And the colour shown at one instant is independent of the colour shown earlier. Calculate...
  35. Warpspeed13

    How are the electrodes in a brain machine interface placed?

    I have a couple questions actually. One I was wondering in what part of the brain would an interface that allowed you to access the internet be placed in the future? It's not like the brain has an expansion slot. Two how do they decide where to place electrodes in current interfaces? Do...
  36. S

    Need some reference books on machine design

    Dear all, I am following Shigley's Mechanical engineering design as a textbook for my course of machine design.But i would be very thankful if anyone gives me some references books of machine design in pdf format containing more and more problems.It will be helpful also if you can provide any...
  37. F

    Using a CNC Machine With a CAD File

    I'm working on a project that requires me to use a CNC metal cutter. I'm using LibreCAD to design the thing I need to have cut (it's a radio chassis). The wiki doesn't really offer much besides a general how-to-use, and after playing around on the program I'm wondering two things. First...
  38. kq6up

    Lagrange EQ for a Double Atwood Machine

    Homework Statement 7.27 ** Consider a double Atwood machine constructed as follows: A mass 4m is suspended from a string that passes over a massless pulley on frictionless bearings. The other end of this string supports a second similar pulley, over which passes a second string supporting a...
  39. A

    Finite state machine (summarizing)

    Hello, I have an FSM which has 1 serial input and 4 outputs. The FSM must react to the table attaced in file. I can see that if the input is(for example)4 the output is 7(+3). I have to draw a state diagram(mealy). I can't solve it. Need some help Thanks
  40. dlgoff

    X109B14 modified transistorized totally automated machine

    I'm watching The Twilight Zone episode The Brain Center at Whipple's on Me-TV. It was originally shown in 1967 but is still relevant 47 years later. Comments? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFgLVU-eKRE
  41. V

    What is diff in application of 3 & 4 roller plate rolling machine

    what is diff in application of 3 & 4 roller plate rolling machine. which type of rolling machine more usefule for 6 mm plate... & please suggest the ways to reduce the flatness of end portion after rolling ...
  42. K

    State Machine Diagram for a Telephone?

    Hi, I'm not from Software Engineering background and I'm trying to learn State Machine Diagrams on my own by looking at resources on the internet. I'm trying to come up with a State Machine Diagram for a telephone but I can't seem to find an answer on the internet. Can you help me by telling...
  43. M

    Will a Copper Ingot Float in a 3.4 T MRI Machine?

    Hey there, inspired by this exhibit in the SF exploratorium, I was discussing with my colleague what might happen if you put a thick piece of pure copper (say, a 5kg ingot) in the bore of a 3.4 T MRI machine. (What about 7T?) We have the MRI machine, all we need is a big piece of copper...
  44. A

    What is the Force Exerted by the Ground on Object 1 in an Atwood Machine?

    1. A 77.00 Nt object (denoted as object 1) rests on the ground. A light cord is connected to this object which runs vertically upward over a light frictionless pulley and is attached to another object denoted as object 2. a) Calculate the force that the ground exerts on object 1 if object 2 is...
  45. I

    DC machine speed/torque characteristic

    Hello everyone! In the following speed-torque characteristic of a DC shunt motor, we see that if the speed exceeds a certain value, then the machine becomes a generator. I don't understand something. How is it possible for the machine to have a negative torque and a positive speed...
  46. X

    An Atwoods Machine hanging from the ceiling

    Homework Statement This isn't a homework problem, but I thought it would fit best in this section because it is an actual problem. Therefore, I don't know what the solution is, but it interests me. First let me start off by saying I've solved Atwoods machines before but now that we've...
  47. X

    What are the forces acting on the rope in Atwood's machine?

    I'm having trouble with the concept. I have two questions. According to various internet posts, the force of gravity of the masses attached to the Atwood machine does not act on the rope whatsoever. Is this correct? It is kind of confusing to me, because the rope is attached to these...
  48. K

    Machine Parts requiring cleaning in Steel Mills?

    Hello all! I have recently started a Parts Cleaning Machine manufacturing business. Most of my clients are Automobile Manufacturers & Ancillaries. The last couple of years have been disastrous for the automobile industry here. So I was looking to broaden my horizon and target the Steel...
  49. G

    Atwood Machine pulley homework

    Homework Statement A pulley with mass Mp and a radius Rp is attached to the ceiling, in a gravity field of 9.81 m/s2 and rotates with no friction about its pivot. Mass M2 is larger than mass m1. The quantities Tn and g are magnitudes. 1) The magnitude of the acceleration of m1 is ...
  50. BrainMan

    Machine gun conservation of momentum problem

    Homework Statement A machine gun held by a soldier fires bullets at the rate of three per second. Each bullet has a mass of 30 g and a speed of 1200 m/s. Find the average force exerted on the soldier. Homework Equations FΔt = mgf-mgi The Attempt at a Solution I attempted to do this...
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