Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index A machine is any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks. Mechanical mechanisms and machines have been in steady use to amplify the abilities of human beings since before written records were available. The primary difference between simple tools and simple mechanisms or machines is a power source and somewhat a independent operation. Modern power tools, automated machine tools, and human operated power machinery complicate this definition greatly. Simple machines or mechanical components: Bearing Gear Lever Screw Spring Wedge Winch Clock Atomic clock chronometer Pendulum clock Quartz clock Compressors and Pumps Archimedes screw Eductor-jet pump Hydraulic ram Tuyau Vacuum pump Internal combustion engine Gasoline/Petrol engine Diesel engine Four stroke cycle Two stroke cycle Wankel engine Turbine Gas turbine jet engine Steam turbine Water turbine wind generator, windmill (Air turbine) Steam engine This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.