THE 6 GENERAL COMPONENTS OF A MACHINE - TECHNOLOGY - 2024

The general components of a machine are the power source, the motor, the mechanism, the frame, the regulation and control system and the safety components.

They are the basic and standardized mechanical parts, which are used as building blocks in most machines, which tend to have common sizes and are manufactured in series.

Machines are made up of three types of elements: structural components, motion control mechanisms, and control components themselves.

Although shape, color and texture are not considered elements of a machine, they are nevertheless an important part of it, because it offers a practical and design interface.

What is a machine?

It is a set of fixed and mobile elements assembled that allow to transform, regulate, direct or simply take advantage of energy. The machines perform tasks and functions autonomously or automatically when handled by an operator.

A machine is made up of a series of simple and common components or elements for almost all of them, and that are essential for them to function and fulfill the tasks for which they were created by man.

General components of a machine

A machine is made up of the following basic elements:

Power source

It is the basic form of energy or fuel that allows the machine to operate. It can be electricity, oil, gasoline, alcohol, etc.

Motor

It is the mechanism that performs a certain job by transforming the energy source that feeds it or serves as combustion.

The motors themselves are transforming machines of other types of energy (kinetic, chemical, electrical) into mechanical energy. This is possible by rotating on an axis or reciprocating a piston.

Motors that transform mechanical energy into kinetic energy are called transformers. Compressors and pumps also fall into this category.

Mechanism or transmission

This other component comprises a series of mechanical elements that when grouped together form a system, whose function is to transform the energy provided by the engine into the final movement or action sought with the machine.

This function is fulfilled by transmitting the power between one or more elements of the machine. The mechanism transforms the speed, the force, the trajectory and the energy in other different types of each one of them.

According to the number of elements, the mechanisms can be classified into:

- Simple: those that have 2 link elements.

- Complexes: if they have more than 2 link elements

Frame

It comprises a rigid structure that supports the motor and the mechanism. Its function is to guarantee the connection or coupling of all the elements of the machine.

Various aspects must be taken into account when designing the rack for safety reasons.

First, each of the machine's components, then the stress and deformation analysis to, from there, design the best possible structure according to the design needs.

Regulation and control system

They are the control components used to regulate the operation and strength of the machine, coupling it to the required work.

These are the switches, buttons, indicators, sensors, actuators, and controllers

Safety components

They are essential to ensure the safe operation of the machine. Despite the fact that they do not help the work it does and serve to protect the operators.

These components are part of the mandatory industrial and occupational safety today. Its periodic maintenance is essential to guarantee its proper functioning.

References

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4. Design and function of machines. Consulted of funciondemaquinas.blogspot.com
5. Components of a machine. Consulted of goodtasks.com
6. Sharma, CS; Purohit, Kamlesh (2004). Design of machine elements. google.com.ve