Types of automation Applications of Automation and Robotics in Industry

Manufacturing is one of the most important applica­tion area for automation technology. There are several types of automation in manufacturing. The examples of automated systems used in manufacturing are described below.

1. Fixed automation, sometimes called «hard automa­tion» refers to automated machines in which the equip­ment configuration allows fixed sequence of processing operations. These machines are programmed by their design to make only certain processing operations. They are not easily changed over from one product style to another. This form of automation needs high initial in­vestments and high production rates. That is why it is suitable for products that are made in large volumes. Examples of fixed automation are machining transfer lines found in the automobile industry, automatic assem­bly machines and certain chemical processes.

2. Programmable automation is a form of automation for producing products in large quantities, ranging from several dozen to several thousand units at a time. For each new product the production equipment must be reprogrammed and changed over. This reprogramming and changeover take a period of non-productive time. Production rates in programmable automation are generally lower than in fixed automation, because the equipment is designed to facilitate product changeover rather than for product specialization. A numerical-control machine-tool is a good example of programmable automation. The program is coded in computer memory for each differ­ent product style and the machine-tool is controlled by the computer programme.

3. Flexible automation is a kind of programmable au­tomation. Programmable automation requires time to re-program 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.

18. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. How is the term “automation” defined in the text? 2. What is the most “familiar example” of automation given in the text? 3. What was the first step in the development of automation? 4. What were the first robots originally designed for? 5. What is feedback principle? 6. What do the abbreviations CAM and CAD stand for? 7. What is FMS? 8. What industries use automation technologies? 9. What is the most important application of automation? 10. What are the types of automation used in manufacturing? 11. What is fixed automation? 12. What are the limitations of hard automation? 13. What is the best example of programmable automation? 14. What are the advantages of flexible automation? 15. Is it possible to produce different products one after another using automation technology?

19. Перескажите текст, дав ответы на вопросы упражнения 18.

20. 1) Прослушайте слова и запомните их:

however – однако midget – очень маленькое существо

finally – наконец recently – недавно

inside – внутри really – действительно

smart – остроумный, serve - служить

находчивый

2) Прослушайте текст и скажите: а) дается ли объяснение слову «робот»; б) в какой области описывается применение робота.

The history about robots

In the eighteenth century a Frenchman named Maelzel built a robot that could play chess. However, the secret was finally discovered. Inside the mechanical man was a very smart midget, who пае a good chess player.

Recently, scientists have built electronic robots that really can play слева. One of the first robots was an invention made by James Watt. He was the same man who invented the steam engine.

Robots are helping our research scientists answer many diffi­cult qusti is Robots help astronomers find new stars, and lead the way to new and better rockets.

Scientists use robots to translate foreign languages.

Robots can teach, serving as assistants to human professors. They can even teach professors how to be better professors.

3) Прослушайте текст еще раз и ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What is this text about?

2. Is the idea of robot absolutely new?

3. Can modern robots play chess?

4. What kind of robots can play chess in our days?

5. Who was the first inventor of the robot?

6. What con robots make?

7. What new information have you sot about robot?

21. Продолжите данные диалоги, используя как можно больше новых слов, терминов и словосочетаний:

1

A: The automation of production processes and operations in our country has been very important lately.

B: Yes, but it still has to be developed and perfected, and until better automatic devices are built, automation will be practical only for certain types of production.

A: …

2

A: Much has been done in the sphere of automation and still more will have to be done.

B: I think mechanization of production operations and their automation is one the most important problems of today.

A: Yes, and I suppose the most difficult task is the automation of production processes in oil and gas industry as well as in petrochemical industry.

B: I quite agree here. Today these industries are producing.

A: …

3

A: I know you are an expert in automation. What problem are you working on now?

B: We are trying to perfect new sensing devices.

Продолжите речь «В», используя следующие словосочетания:

advanced automatic control; material handling system; data-processing system; the automation of production processes.

A: Oh, that’s a very important and promising field of research.

22. Постарайтесь воспроизвести данные диалоги.

23. Английский юмор:

Pamella: Hasn’t Harvey ever married?

Beryl: No, and I don’t think he intends to, because he’s studying for a bachelor’s degree.

bachelor – 1) бакалавр, 2) холостяк