Machines and Drive Technology

Machines and drive technology deals with the development, design, manufacture and operation of drive systems. Machines are technical constructions consisting of rigid and moving parts.

A drive system performs mechanical work and sets the moving parts of the machine in motion. The principles of drives are based on different technologies, e.g. combustion of fossil fuels, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric.

The individual technologies differ in a number of respects, such as efficiency. There are also aspects that apply to most drives regardless of the drive technology. One example of this is that during conversion, some of the energy is ‘lost’ in the form of heat or friction. The mechanical energy generated can be used to perform work.