There are three basic types of machine components in the manufacturing world. The elemental parts of a machine fall into the categories of structural components, mechanisms, and control components. The invention of each machine began with innovating a process. Sometimes the manufacturer wanted to speed up a process, sometimes they were looking to replicate a process exactly without fail, other times they were looking to accomplish both simultaneously. Understanding the basic components of these machines gives us insight into how they work. Knowing how they work will help us operate them more efficiently. These three basic types of mechanical elements are the building blocks of modern machinery.

Structural Components
Frame members, bearings, axles, splines, fasteners, seals, and lubricants are all considered structural components. Identifying these components individually helps to make a complex structure more accessible. These parts can either be linear, surfaces, or volumes. Linear components include rods, beams, struts, ties, tie rods, etc. Surface parts include membranes, sheer panels, and shells.  For volumes manufacturers use axial, shear, and bending loads for all three dimensions.

Mechanisms
These types of machine parts control any movement that may occur during operation. This includes gear trains, linkages, cam and follower systems, brakes and clutches. Down to the basic equation, the combination of movement and force equals power. A mechanism helps to fine tune a process to achieve the desired movement and forces. Mechanisms usually consist of multiple moving elements.

Control Components
Just like it sounds, control components help us to control the machine that we’re operating. Manage, command, direct, or regulate the behavior of systems or devices. Large industrial boiler systems and home thermostats both fall into the category of control components. A common feedback control system controls the process (plant) so that the output follows a control signal that is either a changing or fixed value. Control systems can come either with open and closed loop controls.

Every machine is made up of a combination of this trio of components, understanding them will make modern machinery less of a mystery to us.

Children are drawn to certain team activities as they’re growing up. Sometimes they’re dying to join because their friends from school participate. Other times, they’re just naturally talented and the process is organic. It doesn’t really matter what gets people involved in after school activities, as long as they’re beneficial for the child or teen’s development. Many times, playing a sport or being on the dance team can help a young person carry valuable life skills into their adult years. Dance classes and competitive teams fit into this category just as much as joining a soccer team or playing tennis.

Exercise
Anyone who has spent a night out with friends at a club knows how sweaty and out of breath a good night of dancing can make them. Learning to dance exact steps in classes is even better exercise. That is because it not only tests physical dexterity but also a person’s mental capabilities. Even the most naturally talented dancer will need to work hard to hit steps eventually. This is the aspect of team sports and afterschool activities that builds character, the ability to stick with something even when it’s hard.

Socialization
Aside from forming mental and physical stamina, dance classes can help children and teens socialize outside of their homes. Socializing connects directly to how children are disciplined, how they respond to discipline, and how they develop independent behavior are all directly linked to a child’s socialization experience. How a child is socialized directly relates to how an adult relates to life. For this reason, joining a social class like dance where a group of people have fun learning how to work together could have positive repercussions for a child’s entire life.

Dance class builds character as much as football games do, just with less skeletal damage. The ability to take part physical exercise, develop cognitive skills, and socialize with people in similar age brackets make dance class a great option for kids, teenagers, and even adults.