What is Machines: Definition and 208 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. S

    Is it possible to produce a centafuges machines?

    is it possible to produce a centafuges machines? how many RPM does the cetrafuge have to rotate for the separation to occur?
  2. S

    Getting higher potential difference with Van De Graaff machines

    Using a Van De Graaff (VDG) machine, we can easily generate million-volt high voltage. The high potential difference can be generated effectively with minimum energy supplied to the machine. The larger the volume of the machine would be, the higher the voltage could get. However, stability...
  3. M

    Black Holes, Wormholes & Time Machines

    What initially attracted me to this book was how easy it was to read, or atleast how easy it said it was to read... I have read the first few pages and I am really enjoying it. For anyone that has read it, I would like to know if any of it is dated. It was published in 1999, or that is the case...
  4. M

    Micro tensile testing machines

    looking to design and hopefully build a micro-tensile tester to test the properties of human hair. as part of my uni class I need to design the grippers involved and have a look at non contact extensiometers. Could anyone point me in the right direction with some links or books? or even...
  5. B

    Solving for Seesaw Balance: Mass and Distance Relationship

    [SOLVED] Simple Machines Proble, Homework Statement Two kids are riding on a seesaw that is 3.0m long with its fulcrum exactly in the middle. When one end touches the ground, the other end is 1.4m in the air. If one child has a mass of 20.0kg and the other is 28.0kg, which child sits at the...
  6. I

    Virtualization and creating computing power from existing machines

    hey In its most basic form virtualization creates computing power from existing machines. In the process of creating additional resource it uses - i would imagine a vanishingly small amount of energy, is this a reasonable assumption? If so how is virtulization described in terms of...
  7. D

    Uncountably Many Turing Machines

    This may be a bit vague, as I don't remember all the details. When proving Turing's halting problem, at some point you will say something along the lines of, "given a list of all Turing Machines, assume that there exists a Turing Machine M which decides whether machine A halts on input B". The...
  8. E

    Digital Logic - State Machines

    I don't get why do we use Flip Flops for Finite State Machines? Can anyone explain? -Thankyou
  9. A

    Solve Machines Problem: Ramp 18m Long & 4.5m High

    [SOLVED] Machines Problem Homework Statement A ramp, 18m long and 4.5m high is set up in order to wheel a 25-kg box at a constant speed. Assume that by wheeling it there is no friction. Homework Equations IMA= \frac{d_{in}}{d_{out}} The Attempt at a Solution I know this is a...
  10. T

    Force Analysis of Structures and Machines

    Hey guys Im having problems figuring out this Statics question I feel like I can solve it, But it has been bugging me for weeks Here it is. and Here is a quick FBD and notes I posted from others Would Anyone let me know If the FBD is correct? Im not asking for the answer. I honestly just...
  11. V

    Power Devices & Systems Textbooks: Electric Machines

    Hi, I am taking a Power Devices and Systems course and I am looking for a good textbook. The type of circuits/machines we are covering are: Power circuits; transformers; magnetic circuits; three phase connections; single phase motors; polyphase machines; synchronous generators and motors...
  12. B

    Electrical Machines: Find a Book on Magnetic Field Behavior

    I am looking for a book on electrical machines. I am particularly interested in one which would described the behaviour of the magnetic field inside the machine during various operating conditions like no load short circuit etc. can you recommend a book or a website which would describe it I...
  13. R

    Gravitational Machines: Ideas & Designs

    Does anyone have any good ideas and designs of a gravitational machine. I have one, but I still need to study some other things before I start experimenting on the subject.
  14. R

    Gravitational Machines: Ideas & Designs

    Does anyone have any good ideas and designs of such a machine. I have one, but I still need to study some other things before I start experimenting on the subject.
  15. S

    Applying Physics to Pinball Machines: A Comprehensive Guide

    Do any of you know of a good site, or just a general site, where physics is applied to pinball machines? I 'm having trouble finding any, if there are any out there, that is.
  16. L

    Questions about perpetual machines

    If there was a machine that claimed to have all the characteristics of such a machine and relied on gravity, can it be called a perpetual machine?
  17. L

    Question about perpetual machines

    If there was a machine that claimed to have all the characteristics of such a machine and relied on gravity, can it be called a perpetual machine?
  18. quasar987

    What's the Point of Perpetual Motion Machines?

    I found how to make a perpetual motion machine! (just joking, keep reading! :tongue2:) We just saw what they are in my thermodynamics class, and if I understood correctly, it represents the only heat-to-work conversion machine not (theoretically) in violation of the second law. And this...
  19. I

    Understanding Electrical Machines: Queries & Answers

    Hello Guys, I am a beginner in the field of Electrical well i have certain queries to ask from u genius guys 1):WHY THERE IS NO BACK EMF in 3-phase INDUCTION MOTOR 2):WHY WE REMOVE RHEOSTAT after 3-5 seconds of STATRTING OF 3-pahse INDUCTION MOTOR. 3):IF WE APPLY SINGLE PHASE ,THEN HOW...
  20. J

    Electrostatic Influence Machines

    Hi, I've been doing some reading on electrostatic influence machines like this one here called Nicholson's Doubler: [PLAIN]www.coe.ufrj.br/~acmq/nicholson.html[/URL] I was wondering if there is any drag force or back attraction/repulsion torques that the rotating disks would experience...
  21. A

    How do these triangular toothpick ion engines lift off the ground?

    These are machines that I just learned about while I was bored. So, i will now ask about what looks like a triangular toothpick ion engine. So these lifters are really strange, I don't know how they work, http://www.americanantigravity.com/articles/256/1/Lifter-Plans here they are...
  22. P

    Understanding Finite State Machines: A Guide to State Tables and Functions

    Finite state machines :( Okay, I'm having trouble understanding a finite state machine example in my :yuck: book. It's a state table for the machine M = (S, \ell , \wp , v , \omega ) where S = {S0, S1, S2}, \ell = \omega = {0,1}. Please check out the attachment:smile: What i don't...
  23. S

    What is the role of amortisseur windings in starting a synchronous motor?

    This is probably a simple question with a simple explanation... I understand that a 3 phase induction machine generates a rotating magnetic field in the stator which by Lenz’s law induces an electromagnetic force in the rotor which moves the rotor in the same direction as the stator magnetic...
  24. Pengwuino

    Vending machines with $10 acceptance

    So what happens when you give a vending machine $10 for a $1.25 soda? Does it give you $8.75 in quarters??! I've always wondered...
  25. H

    Discussing Stephen Hawking's Thought on Time Machines

    Hello Many people heard about aproaches for time machines. Particularly I'd like to discuss Stephen Hawking's thought, that a time machine is impossible because otherwise we would have tourists from the future, unless we can't go back to time before a time machine was made. I think everyone...
  26. T

    Humans as organic machines

    Hey, this might've been discussed here billions of times, but it fascinates me so I thought of bringing it up. If you'd ask from a person on a street that what is the difference between you and a computer ? You would probably get answered "I think, computer doesn't". It has been proven that...
  27. P

    Understanding Turing Machines & Language Recognition

    Sorry if this is a wrong place to post this. What does it mean that a turing machine M recognize language A? Does it mean that A={w|M accepts w}? Is so then how does M accept w? Does it accept w if it ends in accept state?
  28. M

    Exploring Carbon Ions: Machines for Determining Their Composition

    what is your knowledge about carbon ions? is there a machine that determines its creature?
  29. G

    When Machines Refuse to Behave: Tales of Unruly Technology

    https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=98589" my webcam is being silly. its acting like a 2 yr old and freaking out whenever it can't see me. now, I'm sure there must be some logical physics related reason why... I'm not sure what, (feel free to inform me if you know..) but there...
  30. Mk

    Electrostimulators and ultrasound machines for healing

    I heard something about electrostimulators and ultrasound thingys that athletes can use over their sprains and alike that will help them heal faster. Sounds like quackery to me, but what is it about?
  31. P

    News Government Accountability Report on voting machines

    Released last friday: http://www.bradblog.com/Docs/GAOReport_ElectionSecurity_102105.pdf (don't be fooled by the link name, it's the real report.) This is being discussed all over the progressive websites. The GAO is non partisan, lending bipartisan support to concerns that (from the...
  32. P

    Statics: Equilibrium of Machines

    The problem is stated in the picture. And I drew the FBDs of the top half of the bolt cutter, as shown in the second page: Setting moment about A to be 0, I obtain -Q(1 in)-FBy*4 in=0 And By= -Q/4 lb Then setting moment about C to be zero. I obtain FBy(0.5 in)-20 in(75 lb)=0 Substitute in By...
  33. wolram

    Are humans and machines more similar than we think?

    Are just like machiens, when they go wrong they overheat and leak fluids, the only difference is machiens need tools and spare parts to fix, humans just need chemicals :rofl: oh, and some one to tell them what to do :yuck:
  34. O

    Connecting Linux Servers 40 Miles Apart: What's the Simplest Way?

    Hi, We have two Linux servers (Redhat 9.0) 40 miles apart. We want to connect them to each other so that we can change our database settings and PHP files on them. In windows we just dial one of them from the other one and use a remote desktop. What should we do when we are using linux?
  35. Y

    Discover the Possibility of Developing Perpetual Machines | Tips from Experts

    I Hope I Posted This Question In The Right Thread... By All Means, Is There Any Possibility Leading To The Development Of Perpetual Machines? Tnx Pf Folks...
  36. J

    Info/help/cct diagrams on ECG machines

    I'm looking for info/help/cct diagrams on ECG machines, how they work etc etc. the full works. Looking to make a "simple" wireless ecg on bluetooth/rf. any help? sites? thanks:)
  37. I

    Materials safe for food machines

    I've recently drawn up several machines that handle food. However I wanted to know if there are any materials that I should stay away from, for handling food. To clarify, I would like to go to a harware store to pick up supplies, but is it ok to run liquids or store food in pvc for example...
  38. DaveC426913

    Time machines and rotating cylinders

    GR allows for the possibility of travel in time by the space-dragging effect of an infinitely long, dense, rotating cylinder. Q: Why does the cylinder have to be infinitely long? A: It doesn't, an extremely long cylinder will do - long enough to eliminate "edge effects". Q: Why even...
  39. wolram

    Flying Machines: Lifting Bodies & Flying Saucers

    Lifting bodies and flying saucers, are they aerodynamic or have properties that are worth pursuing?
  40. C

    Solve Statics Problem for Bone Rongeur Machine Force at E

    Here's the problem: "The bone rongeur shown [refer to attachment] is used in surgical procedures to cut small bones. Determine the magnitude of the forces exerted on the bone at E when two 25-lb forces are applied as shown." I understand that this "machine" can be broken into 4 free-body...
  41. Ivan Seeking

    Godlike Massively Intelligent Machines

    "Godlike Massively Intelligent Machines" On Coast to Coast tonight: http://www.coasttocoastam.com http://www.cs.usu.edu/~degaris/ A quote from the show
  42. B

    Throwing Machines: Information on Tennis & Volleyball Machines

    I wonder that are there anyone who have an idea about ball throwing machines(tennis ball throwing machine, volleyball throwing machine etc.) How can i get information about this subject? (i am sorry of my bad english, i wish i could explain what i want to learn :smile: )
  43. F

    Enlarging and Reducing Devices on Xerox Machines - Explained

    there is something I want to know... Some xerox machines are equipped with these special devices to produce enlarged and redced copies of a text. WHat are these devices and how do they work?
  44. E

    Get Help with Arc Welding Machines & Technology

    Dear . . . Physics Forum May I Ask Some Help ? I need a website that makes me learn more about : 1. Arc Welding Machines . 2. Arc Welding Technology . 3. Welding Rodes Specifications . 4. The Calculations That We Need For How Deciding The Welding Rode Diameter Depending On The Working...
  45. S

    Can Artificial Intelligence Ever Possess Desires Like Humans?

    Hi, I'm new to the subject of AI, but I find it to be very intrigueing. I think I've read many times now that both the Turing Test and its variants (like the inverted Turing) have been completely abandoned as criteria to talk about AI. (They're taking some kind of immature mimesis of human...
  46. N

    Perpetual motion machines: possible?

    By this I mean machines that put more energy out than is put in. Is it possible?
  47. P

    Finite State Machines: Understanding Mealy & Moore Machines

    Can someone provide me with a good source that explains finite state machines well? I'm having trouble understanding Mealy and Moore Machines...
  48. F

    Machines pulling an object upwards, find forces

    Hey guys, I am workin on some stuff dealin with machines at the moment but can't really figure it out. Seems simple but the book just doesn't help. If you have an object of 1000 N being pulled 5m upwards by a pully, and 20.0m of rope is pulled, then how do you figure out the Effort Force? I...
  49. Kerrie

    Breathalizer machines to be installed at midwest bars.

    http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/Midwest/03/19/coin.operated.test.ap/index.html In this small town, breath testing machines will be installed in the two local bars to ensure customers are not drinking and driving. WHAT A GREAT IDEA! Makes you wonder why no one thought of it till now. Perhaps it...
  50. P

    Calculate Force Exerted Using Simple Machines

    I totally do not understand how to do this. I missed this day in class and the teacher hasn't had time to explain it to me. Could someone help? The efficiency of a pulley system is 73%. The pulleys are used to raise a mass of 58 kg to a height of 3.0 m. WHat force is exerted on the string of...
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