Cutting Through a Myth about Modern Lasers

Read the following text and fill in the gaps with a derivative of the word given in the right column.

1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Whether you’re operating a 10-year-old laser machine or evaluating the purchase of a new one, staying up-to-date on current laser cutting technology and techniques can be the key to ___________ a competitive edge. It’s no secret that automation can greatly improve the efficiency, __________, and quality output of any manufacturing operation. This is as true for laser cutting as for any process. While some larger _____________ operations have begun investing in automation more often, only a small percentage of job shops and original equipment ___________ (OEMs) have opted to purchase automated material handling with their new laser cutting machines because they find it difficult to justify. The primary reasons for this slow acceptance of _________ laser cutting machines include the investment, the need for skilled programmers and operators, and _______ floor space requirements when compared to a stand-alone machine. It has also been hard for automation options to keep up with the rapid ___________ of the laser cutting machine, with faster, more powerful cutting machines producing more parts and cutting heavier plate all the time. Now that laser cutting machines have become a mature product, and the technological advancements that spurred huge leaps in productivity have given way to a series of smaller, incremental _________, automation has had the chance to catch up. Today's automated laser cutting machines do not necessarily cost more than a stand-alone machine, nor do they need to take up any more space. In addition, the power of modern ________ makes the programming and control of both machine and automation a simple, integrated task. In the current global market, with job shops in Mexico and China bidding on the same work as U.S. fabricators, it is important for any company considering the _________ in a new laser cutting machine to take a good, hard look at automation as well.

maintain produce manufacture manufacture automate increase advance improve compute invest

Exercise 16. Say if the following statements are true, false or not stated in the text. Prove your opinion.

1. Productivity can hardly be improved by automation.

2. Automation has been invested by all manufacturing companies all over the world.

3. Some companies think it is waste of money to invest in automated materials.

4. Only few companies prefer investing in automated materials.

5. Automation leads to spending money on a skilled stuff.

6. New laser cutting machines require less space than the old ones.

7. Automation options in use have sometimes difficulties in fitting with new laser cutting machines.

8. The inventors of laser cutting machines are mature people now.

9. Modern equipment meets the requirements of its purchasers and is easily operated by a computer.

10. Chinese and Mexican manufactures compete with US companies.

Exercise 17. Give the closest meaning to the words in the text.

1. evaluate (line 2)

a. reckon up b. calculate c. believe

2. current (line 3)

a. popular b. flowing c. modern

3. output (line 6)

a. result b. yield c. findings

4. justify (line 12)

a. prove b. verify c. vindicate

5. acceptance (line 13)

a. approval b. approbation c. receiving

6. advancement (line 22)

a. promotion b. increase c. progress

Exercise 19. Making a presentation.

Divide into groups. Each group chooses a manufacturing branch for discussion. Dwell on the benefits of the technological advancement in a chosen branch of manufacturing. Present advantages of advanced technologies in comparison with the disadvantages of an old one.

UNIT 5

GRAMMAR: Participle II; Absolute Participle Construction

TEXTS: “Maser”; “Fun Facts about Lasers”