1. Remember the following words:

billet - заготовка

supply hopper – загрузочный ковш

batch – партия товара

meet manufacturing schedule – удовлетворять производственному графику

inventory – материально-производственные запасы

micro-inching mode – минимальный ход перемещения

grip fingers – захваты

mode – режим работы

station– узел, положение

2. Read and translate the text. Unmanned pressing facility

Fully automatic forging involves a completely automatic cycle from loading the billets into a supply hopper to the automatic extraction of components from the dies. In addition to savings in operator labour there are considerable gains to be made by reducing the non-productive time of equipment by automating the actual tool changing function. The current trend is towards smaller batch quantities required at specific times to meet manufacturing schedules and hold inventory of parts to the minimum. This entails more frequent tool change and greater flexibility of manufacture.

Largely automatic and micro-processor synchronized die replacement is commonly completed in three to six minutes, and with the addition of further automation all dies and tooling could be changed completely in as little as 100sec.

The new press is programmed to automatic slide adjustment to achieve correct shut height. Die clamping and unclamping are also automatic. An automatically operated system for the slide adjustment mechanism returns the dies to a “home” position for clamping and unclamping during die changeover. Conventional presses usually have a micro-inching mode, but a drive mechanism is simply a separate motor and the mode must be controlled manually.

Another feature is the configuration of the feed bar – an aluminum bar associated with the tooling that has grip fingers to move the blanks from station to station in the transfer sequence.

Some savings in material may be possible but the main cost reductions must be in labour by reduction of setting times and production of more parts in a given time.

3. Speak about the peculiarities of unmanned pressing facility and its main gains.

14