II. Read and translate the sentences paying attention to the Infinitive in different functions:

1. Automation was introduced to revolutionize all aspects of human life.

2. To ensure the exact execution of programmed commands automatic feedback control is used.

3. Automatic feedback control is able to operate without human intervention.

4. To use computers and computer-related technologies is inevitable in modern automation technology.

5. Industrial robots to be used at modern industrial enterprises represent the highest stage of automation.

6. The robot’s mechanical arm can be programmed to move through a sequence of motions to perform useful tasks.

7. The ability of industrial robots to replace human workers in factory operations is essential in hazardous situations.

Oral practice tasks

I. Complete the sentences with the facts from the text:

1. Mechanization means replacement … .

2. Automation implies the integration … .

3. The term “automation” was coined in … .

4. In automatic systems there is a substitution of … .

5. Automatic processes are performed by means of … without … .

6. Advanced automated systems surpass … .

7. Robotics is a specialized branch of automation where a robot possesses … .

8. The robot’s powered mechanical arm can … .

9. Industrial robots are used to … .

II. Divide the text into logical parts and entitle each part.

III. Answer the questions:

1. What does the term “automation” mean?

2. What is the difference between automation and mechanization?

3. When was the term “automation” coined?

4. In what field did it arise?

5. Whose name is the origin of the word “automation” attributed to?

6. In what connection is the term used?

7. What is the definition of automation?

8. What does the development of automation technology depend on?

9. What advanced technology has developed from automation technology?

10. What are the main characteristics of industrial robotics?

11. What is the most typical humanlike characteristic of an industrial robot?

12. What operations can the robot’s arm be programmed for?

13. What is the main purpose of industrial robots?

IV. Speak on the topics:

1. Mechanization and automation.

2. The origin and the use of the term “automation”.

3. The role of computers and computer-related technologies in the development of automation.

4. The characteristics and the purpose of robotics.

V. Make a short report on the development of automation technology.

TEXT 2B

Translate the text in written form using a dictionary:

Automation in Industry

Many industries are highly automated or use automation technology in some part of their operation. In communications and especially in the telephone industry dialing and transmission are all done automatically. Railways are also controlled by automatic signaling devices, which have sensors that detect carriages passing a particular point. In this way the movement and location of trains can be monitored.

Not all industries require the same degree of automation. Sales, agriculture, and some service industries are difficult to automate, though agriculture industry may become more mechanized, especially in the processing and packaging of foods.

The automation technology in manufacturing and assembly is widely used in car and other consumer product industries.

Nevertheless, each industry has its own concept of automation that answers its particular production needs.

TEXT 2C

Look through the text and do the tasks below:

the development of Automation

Automation is the system of manufacture performing certain tasks by machines only. The sequences of operations are controlled automatically. The most familiar example of a highly automated system is an assembly plant for automobiles or other complex products.

The term “automation” is also used to describe non-manufacturing systems in which automatic devices can operate independently of human control. Such devices as automatic pilots, automatic telephone equipment, and automated control systems are used to perform various operations much faster and better than could be done by people.

Automated manufacturing had several steps in its development. Mechanization was the first step necessary in the development of automation. The simplification of work made it possible to design and build the machines that resembled the motions of the worker. These specialized machines were motorized and they had better production efficiency.

Industrial robots, originally designed only to perform simple tasks in environments dangerous to human workers, are now widely used to transfer, manipulate, and position both light and heavy workpieces performing all the functions of a transfer machine.

The feedback principle is used in all automatic-control mechanisms when machines have the ability to correct themselves. The feedback principle has been used for centuries. An outstanding early example is the flyball governor, invented in 1788 by James Watt to control the speed of the steam engine. The common household thermostat is another example of a feedback device.

Using feedback devices machines can start, stop, speed up, slow down, count, inspect, test, compare, and measure. These operations are commonly applied to a wide variety of production operations.

Computers have greatly facilitated the use of feedback in manufacturing processes. Computers gave rise to the development of numerically-controlled machines. The motions of these machines are controlled by punched paper or magnetic tapes. In numerically-controlled machining centres machine tools can perform several different machining operations.

1. Translate the title of the text.

2. Formulate the main idea of the text.

3. Choose the main information from every paragraph.

4. Make up the plan of the text.

5. Write down the annotation of the text in Russian.