Machine

A machine is a physical system that uses <a href="/facts/Power_(physics)/mkaEyRnn">power</a> to apply <a href="/facts/Force/533Q1uzq">forces</a> and control <a href="/facts/Motion/dCnP7MlB">movement</a> to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing <a href="/facts/Engine/p0m7aXaW">engines</a> or motors, but also to natural biological macromolecules, such as <a href="/facts/Molecular_machine/5VvXFnoq">molecular machines</a>. Machines can be driven by <a href="/facts/Animal_power/LRENovAW">animals</a> and <a href="/facts/Human_power/XGggyYmw">people</a>, by natural forces such as <a href="/facts/Wind_power/vlNN3u16">wind</a> and <a href="/facts/Water_power/Adx1E5ha">water</a>, and by <a href="/facts/Chemical_energy/Y3VP3Ifq">chemical</a>, <a href="/facts/Thermal_energy/eVaKAC7K">thermal</a>, or <a href="/facts/Electricity/hNC8D65W">electrical</a> power, and include a system of <a href="/facts/Mechanism_(engineering)/FnLwb2Iy">mechanisms</a> that shape the <a href="/facts/Actuator/mF9qVJJR">actuator</a> input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement. They can also include <a href="/facts/Computers/SQe1aK05">computers</a> and sensors that monitor performance and plan movement, often called <a href="/facts/Mechanical_system/wTCxFRfs">mechanical systems</a>.
Renaissance natural philosophers identified six <a href="/facts/Simple_machine/Elcq1eXY">simple machines</a> which were the elementary devices that put a load into motion, and calculated the ratio of output force to input force, known today as <a href="/facts/Mechanical_advantage/tWX3c82Q">mechanical advantage</a>.
Modern machines are complex systems that consist of structural elements, <a href="/facts/Mechanism_(engineering)/FnLwb2Iy">mechanisms</a> and control components and include interfaces for convenient use. Examples include: a wide range of <a href="/facts/Vehicle/jSIEqANL">vehicles</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Train/0mkFQDg9">trains</a>, <a href="/facts/Car/I1IsH8IK">automobiles</a>, <a href="/facts/Boat/dz9LnNN6">boats</a> and <a href="/facts/Airplane/81161IpU">airplanes</a>; <a href="/facts/Home_appliance/JYKalzw6">appliances</a> in the home and office, including computers, building <a href="/facts/Air_handler/qTplN84e">air handling</a> and <a href="/facts/Plumbing/rt4WXDXw">water handling systems</a>; as well as <a href="/facts/Agricultural_machinery/24Ttzjlm">farm machinery</a>, <a href="/facts/Machine_tool/XPHaqz0p">machine tools</a> and <a href="/facts/Automation/3YlF2K5q">factory automation</a> systems and <a href="/facts/Robot/S5mDzWYk">robots</a>.

Machine open-in-new

Machine