Can You Accurately Estimate Energy Usage for Machine Parts?

[BlueShift]

Hello Folks, How would I estimate the energy required for machine parts, such as turning a valve? we're talking joules? aye? could i estimate it fairly accurate? any help as to what equations and tools i would use?

im basically wanting to measure the efficiency of a machine... the energy put in, and the energy product put out, that would mean i have to measure all the "negative work?!" put about from the begining-through cog to cog-to the end...where to start?

 

[russ_watters]

If you know the torque required to turn the valve, then you can calculate work in joules quite easily. Other than that, it depends a lot on the specifics of the machine.