Exercise5

Read the following text and find in each sentence the model “subject+predicate”. Translate the text andtitleit.

It is likely that intelligent machines such as robots will be used much more than they are at present. One possible area is surgery where computer-controlled robot arms can, in some cases, operate with more precision and less chance of error than a human surgeon. Intelligent machines can also be used in telemedicine to help doctors diagnose and treat patients at a distance, even in different countries. Nanotechnology (technology involving tiny particles) is already being used to create miniature machines small enough to be injected into the body to deliver drugs to the correct place or to destroy dangerous cells.This will probably be developed much more in the future.

Exercise6

Summarize the information about entertainment robots.

Unit IV articulated robots Text 1

EXERCISE 1

Read and translate the text.

An articulated robot is a robot with rotary joints (e.g. a legged robot or an industrial robot). Articulated robots can range from simple two-jointed structures to systems with 10 or more interacting joints. They are powered by a variety of means, including electric motors. Some types of robots, such as robotic arms, can be articulated or non-articulated. An articulated robot is one which uses rotary joints to access its work space. Usually the joints are arranged in a “chain”, so that one joint supports another further in the chain. It can move along a continuous path- that is a control scheme whereby the inputs or commands specify every point along a desired path of motion. The path is controlled by the coordinated motion of the manipulator joints.

An articulated robot has a number of characteristics, such as degree of freedom, maximum payload, accuracy, repeatability, resolution, etc.

Degree of freedom is defined by the number of independent motions in which the end effector can move, defined by the number of axes of motion of the manipulator.

An articulated robot has a gripper: a device for grasping or holding, attached to the free end of the last manipulator link; also called the robot’s hand or end-effector.

The maximum payload is the amount of weight carried by the robot manipulator at reduced speed while maintaining rated precision. Nominal payload is measured at maximum speed while maintaining rated precision. These ratings are highly dependent on the size and shape of the payload.

Accuracy is the difference between the point that a robot is trying to achieve and the actual resultant position. Absolute accuracy is the difference between a point instructed by the robot control system and the point actually achieved by the manipulator arm, while repeatability is the cycle-to-cycle variation of the manipulator arm when aimed at the same point.

Repeatability is the ability of a system or mechanism to repeat the same motion or achieve the same points when presented with the same control signals.

Resolution is the smallest increment of motion or distance that can be detected or controlled by the control system of a mechanism. The resolution of any joint is a function of encoder pulses per revolution and drive ratio, and dependent on the distance between the tool center point and the joint axis.

Maximum speed is the compounded maximum speed of the tip of a robot moving at full extension with all joints moving simultaneously in complimentary directions. This speed is the theoretical maximum and should under no circumstances be used to estimate cycle time for a particular application. A better measure of real world speed is the standard twelve inch pick and place cycle time. For critical applications, the best indicator of achievable cycle time is a physical simulation.

Servo controlled means controlled by a driving signal which is determined by the error between the mechanism's present position and the desired output position.

Via point is a point through which the robot's tool should pass without stopping; via points are programmed in order to move beyond obstacles or to bring the arm into a lower inertia posture for part of the motion.

Work envelope is a three-dimensional shape that defines the boundaries that the robot manipulator can reach; also known as reach envelope.

EXERCISE2

Learn the following words and expressions.

articulatedrobot -	суставный робот, робот с шарнирными сочленениями, шарнирный робот
endeffector-		рабочий орган; захватное устройство (робота); конечное звено
robotgripper-		схват робота; захватное устройство робота
manipulatorarm -		рука манипулятора; манипулятор
encoderresolution -		разрешающая способность датчика
complimentary -		свободный, вольный, независимый
via point-		промежуточнаяточка
work envelope-	рабочаязона
rotaryjoint -	вращающееся соединение
reach envelope	зона досягаемости
obstacle ['ɔbstəkl] –	препятствие
toolcenter-point -	центр инструмента (базовая точка для программирования движений робота)
drive ratio -	передаточноечисло
increment-	приращение; увеличение
precision[prɪ'sɪʒ(ə)n]-	точность; чёткость, аккуратность; правильность
payload ['peɪləud]	полезная нагрузка; грузоподъёмность

EXERCISE 3

Divide the text into logic parts. Title each part.

EXERCISE 4

Find in the text description of an articulated robot. Say, what kind of information from the text could be interesting to an engineer.

EXERCISE 5

Express your attitude to the robots described. Could you use any ideas from this text in your diploma project?

EXERCISE 6

What do you know about cooperation of your university with industrial enterprises in the city?

EXERCISE 7

Make up a short summary of the text.

UNIT V