Vocabulary

Freshman - первокурсник (амер.)

Sophomore - студент; второкурсник (амер.)

Curriculum - учебный план

heat-transfer - теплопередача

elective - факультативный

diversity - разнообразие

responsibility - обязанности

to pursue - продолжать

to design - конструировать

to develop - развивать

to invent - изобретать

to test - испытывать

to handle - управлять

to make drawings - делать чертежи

assembly station - сборочный участок

tool - инструмент

die - штамп; матрица

jig - узел

fixture – крепление

ЗАДАНИЯ К ТЕКСТУ:

1. Прочтите текст и скажите по-русски:

- о специфике машиностроения на современном этапе;

- о роли инженера и его основных функциях;

- о деятельности инженера: a) в лаборатории; b) на производстве; c) в конструкторском бюро.

2. Догадайтесь о значении следующих интернациональных слов:

contribution, organization, direction, analytical, to test, component, to analyze, analysis, specification, adaptation, project, conveyer, assembly, station, command, special.

3. Завершите предложения, подобрав соответствующие окончание в правом столбце:

1. The engineer typifies ... 2. He makes a great contribution ... 3. His main functions are ... 4. The engineer also analyses ... 5. So he can work in ... 6. At present the engineer ... 7. The work of the engineer requires ...

... the products' performances. ... deals with the automation of production processes. ... the 20th century. ... the designing office, in the lab and in the production field of engineering. ... designing, developing and testing the products. ... the analytical frame of mind and imagination. ... to progress.

4. Ответьте на вопросы:

1. What subjects does the curriculum for junior students include? 2. Can seniors chouse any electives? 3. Does the mechanical engineer have the diversity of responsibilities? 4. Is this broad-based preparation necessary? 5. Whose needs does such preparation serve?

What is mechanical engineering?

Mechanical engineering Encompasses the generation, conversion, transmission, and utilization of mechanical and thermal energy and includes the design, construction, and operation of all kinds of mechanical and thermal devices and systems. Of all the engineering disciplines, mechanical engineering offers the greatest breadth, flexibility, and individuality. Indeed, a mechanical engineering education is an ideal preparation for working and living in a technological world. Mechanical engineering emerged as a new field during the industrial Revolution, when the invention of the steam engine revolutionized manufacturing and transportation. As society has grown increasingly dependent upon technology the theoretical and practical knowledge base of the profession has expanded dramatically. Today there is scarcely any area of everyday life that has not been affected by mechanical engineering.

The future of the profession has never been more promising. For students with a keen interest in science and mathematics and desire to apply their knowledge to new and existing products and processes, mechanical engineering offers exciting career opportunities.

Mechanical engineering has been recognized as a separate branch of engineering since the formation of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers of Great Britain in 1847. The development of the textile machinery, steam engines, machine-tools, pumping machinery, turbines and locomotives of that time made such a diversity interest for civilian engineers that these and allied subjects were called mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineering deals with the design, construction and operation of machines and devices of all kinds, and with research and sciences upon which these depend. Among these machines are prime movers such as engines and turbines using air, gas, steam and water as operating media; pumping machines and other hydraulic apparatus; steam boilers, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating equipment, transportation structures used in aviation; automotive engineering, rail­roads and ships, machine-tools, special machines for industry and for construction of buildings, railroads and harbors. In fact, mechanical engineering enters into the work of all engineers whose machines are to be developed for the processes of specialists of the other branches of engineering. To understand better the extent of the activities and interests of mechanical engineers, the following lists of the professional divisions and technical committees of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) are given: Professional divisions; applied mechanics, aviation, fuel, graphic arts (prin­ting), heat transfer, hydraulics, industrial instruments and regulators, management, materials handling, metals engineering, oil and gas power, process industries, production engineering, railroad, rubber and plastics, textiles, wood industries.