Robots in Industry

Today most robots are used in manufacturing operations. The applications of robots can be divided into three categories:

- material handling;

- processing operations;

- assembly and inspections.

Material-handling is the transfer of material and loading and unloading of machines. Material-transfer applications require the robot to move materials or work parts from one to another. Many of these tasks are relatively simple: robots pick up parts from one conveyor and place them on another. Other transfer operations are more complex, such as placing parts in an arrangement that can be calculated by the robot. Machine loading and unloading operations utilize a robot to load and unload parts. This requires the robot to be equipped with a gripper that can grasp parts.

In processing operations robot manipulates a tool to perform a process on the work part. Examples of such applications include spot welding, continuous arc welding and spray-painting.

Another area of processing operations where robots are utilized is assembly and inspection. The use of robots in assembly is expected to increase because of the high cost of manual labor. But the design of the product is an important aspect of robotic assembly.

Inspection is another area of factory operations in which the utilization of robots is growing. In a typical inspection job, the robot positions a sensor with respect to the work part and determines whether the part answers the quality specifications. In nearly all industrial robotic applications the robot provides a substitute for human labor.

ΙΙΙ. Language.

Exercise 9. Match the words and word-combinations in column A with those in column B:

A B

2. spray painting 1. контроль

3. transfer operations 2. маніпулювати, керувати

4. inspection 3. операції обробки

5. utilization 4. датчик

6. quality specification 5. інструмент

7. to manipulate 6. деталь

8. processing operations 7. зварювальний брус (стрижень)

9. a sensor 8. покраска розпиленням

10. a part 9. операція переміщення

11. a tool 10. застосування

12. welding rod 11. технічні вимоги до якості

Exercise 10. Complete the sentences using information from the text:

1. The first application area of industrial robot is ...

2. Material handling is ...

3. Examples of processing operations where robots are used include ...

4. Another area of factory operations in which robots are utilized is ...

5. In nearly all industrial robotic applications the robot provides ...

Exercise 11. Find the English equivalents to the following word-combinations in the text:

Виробничі операції; тяжкий для обробки; місцева зварювальна ризикована операція; безперервне дугове зварювання; цикл; промислові види роботи; деталь; датчик; область застосування; піднімати деталі; операції переноски; вимагати; бути обладнаним; предмет, який необхідно пофарбувати (покрити фарбою); зварювальний шов; висока ціна.

Exercise 12. Do the crossword:

^1

^2

^3

^4

^5

^6

^7

^8

^9

^10

^11

^12

^13

^14

^15

^16

Across:

1. very dangerous;

6. automated machine, performing functions in human manner;

8. many instances;

12. robot arm which can take a part;

13. a person who makes welding;

15. removal of thing from one place to another;

16. large;

Down:

2. arch

3. application;

4. power or authority to direct, to order

5. a part (in plant)

7. working, way things work

9. design

10. mental view; prospect

11. to wait;

14. apparatuses, instruments, tools

Exercise 13. Fill in the diagram to name the application areas of robots and a special instrument the robots are equipped with for performing the required operation: