Материал: 45-1

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of programmable automation. The program is coded in computer memory for each different product style and the machine-tool is controlled by the computer program.

3. Flexible automation is a kind of programmable automation. Programmable automation requires time to reprogram and change over the production equipment for each series of new product. This is lost production time, which is expensive. In flexible automation the number of products is limited so that the changeover of the equipment can be done very quickly and automatically. The reprogramming of the equipment in flexible automation is done at a computer terminal without using the production equipment itself. Flexible automation allows a mixture of different products to be produced one right after another.

Vocabulary:

equipment – оборудование

initial – первоначальный, начальный rate – скорость, темп

assembly machines – сборочные машины quantity – количество

non-productive – непроизводительный changeover – переход, переналадка

I. Read the text once again and find advantages and disadvantages of each type of automation. Complete the table given below:

II. Answer the questions:

1.What is the most important application of automation?

2.What are the types of automation used in manufacturing?

3.What is fixed automation?

4.What are the limitations of hard automation?

5.What is the best example of programmable automation?

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6.What are the limitations of programmable automaton?

7.How is the reprogramming of the equipment in flexible automation

fulfilled?

8.Is it possible to produce different products one after another using automation technology?

III. Find English equivalents in the text:

1.сфера применения

2.фиксированная последовательность операций

3.автоматические сборочные машины

4.определѐнные химические процессы

5.станок с числовым программным управлением

6.потерянное производственное время

7.разнообразная продукция

IV. Explain in English the meaning of the following word combinations. Consult a dictionary.

1.automation technology

2.fixed automation

3.assembly machines

4.non-productive time

5.programmable automation

6.computer terminal

7.numerical-control machine-tool

V. Put all possible questions to the following sentences:

1.Manufacturing is one of the most important application area for automation technology.

2.There are several types of automation in manufacturing.

3.Automated machines are programmed to make only certain processing operations.

4.Fixed automation needs high initial investments and high production rates.

5.For each new product the production equipment must be reprogrammed and changed over.

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6.Production rates in programmable automation are generally lower than in fixed automation.

7.The program is coded in computer memory for each different product style.

8.Programmable automation requires time to reprogram and change over the production equipment.

9.In flexible automation the number of products is limited.

10.The changeover of the equipment can be done very quickly and automatically.

VI. Compose a plan of the text.

VII. Write down the key idea of each part.

VIII. Compose a summary using your plan.

Unit XIII

Robots in manufacturing

Today most robots are used in manufacturing operations. The applications of robots can be divided into three categories:

1.material handling

2.processing operations

3.assembly and inspection.

Material handling is the transfer of material and loading and unloading of machines. Material-transfer applications require the robot to move materials of work parts from one to another. Many of these tasks are relatively simple: robots pick up parts from one conveyor and place them on another. Other transfer operations are more complex, such as placing parts in an arrangement that can be calculated by the robot. Machine loading and unloading operations utilize a robot to load and unload parts. This requires the robot to be equipped with a gripper that can grasp parts. Usually the gripper must be designed specifically for the particular part geometry.

In robotic processing operations the robot manipulates a tool to perform a process on the work part. Examples of such applications include spot welding,

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continuous arc welding and spray painting. Spot welding of automobile bodies is one of the most common applications of industrial robots. The robot positions a spot welder against the automobile panels and frames to join them. Arc welding is a continuous process in which robot moves the welding rod along the welding seam. Spray painting is the manipulation of a spray-painting gun over the surface of the object to be coated. Other operations in this category include grinding and polishing in which a rotating spindle serves as the robot’s tool.

The third application area of industrial robots is assembly and inspection. The use of robots in assembly is expected to increase because of the high cost of manual labor. But the design of the product is an important aspect of robotic assembly. Assembly methods that are satisfactory for humans are not always suitable for robots. Screws and nuts are widely used for fastening in manual assembly, but the same operations are extremely difficult for a one-armed robot.

Inspection is another area of factory operations in which the utilization of robots is growing. In a typical inspection job, the robot positions a sensor with respect to the work part and determines whether the part answers the quality specifications. In nearly all industrial robotic applications, the robot provides a substitute for human labor. There are certain characteristics of industrial jobs performed by humans that can be done by robots:

1)the operation is repetitive, involving the same basic work motions every cycle;

2)the operation is hazardous or uncomfortable for the human worker (for example: spray painting, spot welding, arc welding, and certain machine loading and unloading tasks);

3)the workpiece or tool are too heavy and difficult to handle;

4)the operation allows the robot to be used on two or three shifts.

Vocabulary

handling – обращение transfer – передача, перенос location – местонахождение pick up – брать, подбирать arrangement – расположение

to utilize – утилизировать, использовать, находить применение gripper – захват

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to grasp – схватывать continuous – непрерывный spot welding – точечная сварка

arc welding – электродуговая сварка spray painting – окраска распылением frame – рама

spray-painting gun – распылитель краски grinding – шлифование

polishing – полирование spindle – шпиндель manual labor – ручной труд hazardous – опасный

shift – смена

I. Answer the questions:

1.How are robots used in manufacturing?

2.What is “material handling”?

3.What does a robot need to be equipped with to do loading and unloading operations?

4.What does robot manipulate in robotic processing operation?

5.What is the most common application of robots in automobile manufacturing?

6.What operations could be done by robot in car manufacturing industry?

7.What are the main reasons to use robots in production?

8.How can robots inspect the quality of production?

9.What operations could be done by robots in hazardous or uncomfortable for the human workers conditions?

II. Translate into English:

1.Существует несколько различных сфер использования автоматизации

впроизводстве.

2.Для использования жѐсткой автоматизации необходимы большие инвестиции.