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{{Short description|Elementary components used in the structure, controls, or mechanisms of a machine}}
[[File:NSK Support Roller cut (cropped).jpg|thumb|400px|NSK Support Roller cut (cropped)]]

'''Machine element''' or '''hardware''' refers to an elementary component of a [[machine]].  These elements consist of three basic types:
# ''[[Structural element|structural components]]'' such as frame members, [[Bearing (mechanical)|bearings]], [[axle]]s, [[Spline (mechanical)|splines]], [[fastener]]s, [[Seal (mechanical)|seal]]s, and [[lubricant]]s, 
# ''[[Mechanism (engineering)|mechanisms]]'' that [[Motion control|control movement]] in various ways such as [[gear train]]s, [[belt (mechanical)|belt]] or [[chain drive]]s, [[Linkage (mechanical)|linkages]], [[Cam (mechanism)|cam]] and [[cam follower|follower]] systems, including [[brake]]s and [[clutch]]es, and 
# ''[[Control system|control components]]'' such as buttons, switches, indicators, sensors, actuators and computer controllers.<ref>Robert L. Norton, '''Machine Design,''' (4th Edition), Prentice-Hall, 2010</ref>

While generally not considered to be a machine element, the shape, texture and color of covers are an important part of a machine that provide a [[industrial design|styling and operational interface]] between the mechanical components of a machine and its users.

''Machine elements'' are basic mechanical parts and features used as the building blocks of most [[machine]]s.<ref>{{Citation | last1 = Matthews | first1 = Clifford | author2-link = American Society of Mechanical Engineers | last2 = American Society of Mechanical Engineers | title = ASME engineer's data book | page = 249 | publisher = ASME Press | year = 2005 | edition = 2nd | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dPS2KU0gj-8C&pg=PA249 | isbn = 978-0-7918-0229-8 | postscript =.}}</ref> Most are [[Technical standard|standardized]] to common sizes, but customs are also common for specialized applications.<ref name="bhandari">{{Citation | last = Bhandari | first = V. B. | title = Design of machine elements | page = 10 | publisher = Tata McGraw-Hill | year = 2007 | edition = 2nd | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=d-eNe-VRc1oC&pg=PA10 | isbn = 978-0-07-061141-2 | postscript =.}}</ref>

Machine elements may be features of a part (such as screw threads or integral plain bearings) or they may be discrete parts in and of themselves such as wheels, axles, pulleys, [[rolling-element bearing]]s, or gears. All of the [[simple machine]]s may be described as machine elements, and many machine elements incorporate concepts of one or more simple machines.  For example, a [[leadscrew]] incorporates a [[screw thread]], which is an [[inclined plane]] wrapped around a [[cylinder (geometry)|cylinder]].

Many mechanical design, invention, and engineering tasks involve a knowledge of various machine elements and an intelligent and creative combining of these elements into a component or assembly that fills a need (serves an application).

==Structural elements==
# [[Beam (structure)|Beam]]s, 
# [[Strut]]s, 
# [[Bearing (mechanical)|Bearings]], 
# [[Fastener]]s
# [[Key (engineering)|Keys]], 
# [[Rotating spline|Splines]], 
# [[Split pin|Cotter pin]], 
# [[Seal (mechanical)|Seal]]s
# [[Machine guarding]]s

==Mechanical elements==
# [[Engine]], 
# [[Electric motor]], 
# [[Actuator]], 
# [[Drive shaft|Shafts]], 
# [[Coupling]]s
# [[Belt (mechanical)|Belt]], 
# [[Chain]], 
# [[Wire rope|Cable]] drives, 
# [[Gear train]], 
# [[Clutch]], 
# [[Brake]], 
# [[Flywheel]], 
# [[Cam (mechanism)|Cam]], 
# [[Cam follower|follower]] systems, 
# [[Linkage (mechanical)|Linkage]], 
# [[Simple machine]]

==Types==
{{Colbegin|colwidth=}}
*[[Drive shaft|Shafts]]<ref name="klebanov">{{Citation | last1 = Klebanov | first1 = Boris M. | last2 = Barlam | first2 = David | last3 = Nystrom | first3 = Frederic E. | title = Machine elements: life and design | publisher = CRC Press | year = 2008 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=B0GXuJswHfMC&pg=PP1 | isbn = 978-0-8493-9563-5 | postscript =.}}</ref>
*[[Coupling]]<ref name="klebanov"/>
**[[Key (engineering)|Key]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Rotating spline|Spline]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
*[[Bearing (mechanical)|Bearing]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Roller bearing]]
**[[Plain bearing]]
**[[Thrust bearing]]
**[[Ball bearing]]
**[[Linear bearing]]
**[[Pillow block bearing|Pillow block]]  
*[[Gear]]s<ref name="klebanov"/>
**[[Spur gear]]
**[[Helical gear]]
**[[Worm gear]]
**[[Herringbone gear]]
*[[Fastener]]<ref name="niemann">[[Gustav Niemann|Niemann, Gustav]]; Hirt, Manfred: ''Maschinenelemente'' Springer, Berlin 1975, 1983. {{ISBN|0-387-06809-0}}.</ref>
**[[Screw]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
***[[Screw thread]]
**[[Nut (hardware)|Nut]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Clevis fastener]]
**[[Retaining ring]]
***[[Circlip]]
***E-ring
**[[Split pin]] cotter pin)
**[[Linchpin]]
**[[R-clip]]
**[[Rivet]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Tapered pin]]
**[[O-ring]]
*[[Belt (mechanical)|Belt]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Pulley]]s
*[[Clutch]]<ref name="sharma">{{Citation | last1 = Sharma | first1 = C. S. | last2 = Purohit | first2 = Kamlesh | title = Design of machine elements | page = vii–ix | publisher = PHI Learning | year = 2004 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlnYpOtRhNEC&pg=PR7 | isbn = 978-81-203-1955-4 | postscript =.}}</ref>
*[[Brake]]<ref name="sharma"/>
*[[Chain]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
**[[Sprocket]]
*[[Wire rope]]<ref name="bhandari"/>
*[[Power screw]]
{{colend}}

== See also ==

* [[Tool]]
* [[Electrical element]]
* [[Electronic component]]
* [[Mini survival kit]]
* [[Survival kit]]
* [[Repair kit]]
* [[List of sensors]]
* [[List of martial arts weapons]]
* [[Lists of weapons]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Machine elements}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hardware (mechanical)]]
[[Category:Machines]]
[[Category:Mechanical engineering]]