Step 3. Elements of the automated system
Task 1. Pronounce correctly the following words and word combinations. Learn them by heart.
Technique – метод, техника, способ
to include – включать в себя, содержать в себе
sensing – считывание
sensing device – считывающее устройство
to determine – определять, устанавливать
step-by-step – постепенный, ступенчатый, (по)шаговый
to carry out – выполнять, совершать
to convey – перевозить
handling – зд. обработка
thickness – толщина, плотность
sheet – лист (бумаги, стекла, металла)
steel – сталь
to make decision – принимать решение
valve – клапан
switch – зд. переключатель
flow – поток, течение, движение
voltage – вольтаж, эл. напряжение
adjustment – установка, приспособление, регулировка
conformity – согласованность, соответствие, слаженность
to involve – вовлекать, включать в себя
expertise – профессиональный опыт, квалификация, компетентность
thereby – таким образом, в связи с этим
activity – деятельность
Task 2. Read and translate the text.
Elements of the automated system
We now use the term “automation” for specific techniques combined to operate automatically in a complete system. These techniques are possible because of electronic devices, most of which have come into use in the last thirty years. They include program, action, sensing or feedback, decision and control elements as components of a complete system.
The program elements determine what the system does and the step-by-step manner in which it works to produce the desired result. A program is a step-by-step sequence that breaks a task into its individual parts. Some steps in an industrial automation program direct other parts of the system when and how to carry out their jobs.
The action elements are those, which do the actual work. They may carry or convey materials to specific places at specific time or they may perform operations on the materials. The term “mechanical handling device” is also used for the action elements.
Perhaps the most important part of an automated system is sensing or feedback. Sensing devices automatically check on parts of the manufacturing process such as thickness of a sheet of steel or paper. This is called feedback because the instruments return or feedback this information to the central control system.
The decision element is used to compare what is going on in the system with what should be going on. It receives information from sensing devices and makes decisions necessary to maintain the system correctly. If some action is necessary, the decision element can give instructions or commands to the system.
The control element consists of devices to carry out the commands of the decision element. There may be many kinds of devices: valves that open or close, switches that control the flow of electricity, or regulators that change the voltage in various machines. They make the necessary corrections or adjustments to keep the system in conformity with its program.
An industrial engineer working with automated systems is a part of a team. Many components of the system, such as, for example, computersare electronic devices, so electronic engineers and technicians are involved. Many of the industries in which automation has proved particularly suitable – chemicals, papermaking, metals processing – involve chemical processes, so there may be chemical engineers at work too. An industrial engineer with expertise in all these fields may become a systems engineer for automation projects, thereby coordinating the activities of all the members of the team.
Task 3. Find in the text the English equivalents for the following.
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Task 4. Arrange synonyms given in columns I and II in pairs.
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a. work; b. get; c. final;
e. come back; f. specifically; g. method; h. full; i. stream. |
Task 5. Arrange antonyms given in columns I and II in pairs.
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1. include; 2. combine; 3. now; 4. actual; 5. possible; 6. necessary; 7. correctly; 8. give; 9. suitable. |
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Task 6. Define which of these schemes reflects the main contents of the text more exactly.
Task 7. Answer the questions.
What does the term “automation” mean?
What elements of the automated system do you know?
How do the action elements work?
What is the decision element used for?
What kinds of devices does the control element consist of? What are they for?
Does the automated system need the participation of an industrial engineer? Why?
Task 8. Give the definitions to these notions.
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Task 9. Put all possible questions to the following sentences.
1. The term “automation” refers to specific techniques which are possible because of electronic devices most of which have come into use in the last thirty years.
2. Sensing devices automatically check on parts of the manufacturing process such as thickness of a sheet of steel or paper.
Task 10. Express your agreements or disagreements with the following claims about the automated system elements.
1. Automation means specific techniques, which operate each separately in the part of a system.
2. The program elements work in a step-by-step manner to produce the desired result.
3. The action elements can do the actual work, for example, to convey materials to specific places or perform operations on these materials.
4. The most important part of an automated system is considered to be a mechanical handling device.
5. The decision element receives information from the sensing devices and directs it to the control center.
6. The decision element commands are carried out by the control element devices.
7. An industrial engineer is an important part of any automated system.