Английский язык для специалистов по мехатронике и робототехнике. English for mechatronics and robotics students. Учебное пособие

Manufacturing Applications of Automation and Robotics

One of the most important application areas for automation technology is manufacturing. To many people, automation means manufacturing automation. Here the types of automation are defined, and examples of automated systems used in manufacturing are described.

Three types of automation in production can be distinguished: (1) fixed automation, (2) programmable automation, and (3) flexible automation.

Fixed automation, also known as “hard automation,” refers to an automated production facility in which the sequence of processing operations is fixed by the equipment configuration. In effect, the programmed commands are contained in the machines in the form of cams, gears, wiring, and other hardware that is not easily changed over from one product style to another. This form of automation is characterized by high initial investment and high production rates. It is therefore suitable for products that are made in large volumes. Examples of fixed automation include machining transfer lines found in the automotive industry, automatic assembly machines, and certain chemical processes.

Programmable automation is a form of automation for producing products in batches. The products are made in batch quantities ranging from several dozen to several thousand units at a time. For each new batch, the production equipment must be reprogrammed and changed over to accommodate the new product style. This reprogramming and changeover take time to accomplish, and there is a period of nonproductive time followed by a production run for each new batch. Production rates in programmable automation are generally lower than in fixed automation, because the equipment is designed to facilitate product changeover rather than for product specialization. A numerical-control machine tool is a good example of programmable automation. The program is coded in computer memory for each different product style, and the machine tool is controlled by the computer program. Industrial robots are another example.

Flexible automation is an extension of programmable automation. The disadvantage with programmable automation is the time required to reprogram and change over the production equipment for each batch of new product. This is lost production time, which is expensive. In flexible automation, the variety of products is sufficiently limited so that the changeover of the equipment can be done very quickly and automatically. The reprogramming

31

of the equipment in flexible automation is done off-line; that is, the programming is accomplished at a computer terminal without using the production equipment itself. Accordingly, there is no need to group identical products into batches; instead, a mixture of different products can be produced one right after another.

WRITING

13.Write the summary of the text ROBOT PROGRAMMING.

14.Write the summary of the text MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS OF AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS.

SPEAKING

15. Get ready with the presentation INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS.

UNIT 3. Automatic Control. Automatic Control Theory

BEFORE YOU READ

1 What is automatic control?

2. Do you know where automatic control is used?

VOCABULARY

32

Read the following international words and translate them without a dictionary.

Automatic [ɔːtəˈmætɪk], technology [tekˈnɒlədʒɪ], discipline [ˈdɪsɪplɪn], physics [ˈfɪzɪks], phenomena [fəˈnɒmɪnə], auto pilots [ˈɔːtəʊˈpaɪlət], temperature [ˈtemp(ə)rətʃə], diagram [ˈdæɪəɡræm], dynamics [dæɪˈnæmɪks].

READING

1. Read the text and translate it.

Automatic Control

Automatic control is the technology used to control processes in order to achieve desired behaviors. In many principal disciplines of science, such as physics and mechanics, we learn to understand how nature works. We observe, and mathematically describe, various phenomena in our environment. In automatic control we use this knowledge to control these phenomena. From mechanics we have for instance obtained equations, which describe the velocity of a cart rolling down an inclined plane. In control theory the corresponding equations can be used to device an automatic cruise controller for motorcars, granting them constant speed, despite variations in the incline of

33

the road. Automatic control is used in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:

The auto pilots of aircrafts and motorships are devices providing the vessels with constant bearings, despite disturbances in form of winds and currents.

To keep a constant temperature in buildings, despite variations in the outdoor temperature and the number of persons in the building, is a classic control problem. • In the process industry, e.g. in pulp mills, hundreds—or even thousands of controllers maintain desired pressures, flows, temperatures, concentrations and levels.

Modern cars contain many control systems for e.g. cruise control, antilock brake systems, power steering, emission reduction and air conditioning.

Cameras contain control systems for e.g. auto focus and automatic exposure control.

Automatic control is not limited to technological contexts. The human body, for instance, contains many control systems. One example is the temperature control, which ensures that the body temperature is held constant at 37 °C, despite variations in the surrounding temperature and the work load of the body. Another example is the light control in the eye. The size of the pupil is automatically adjusted so that the illumination of the retina is held as constant as possible.

The Simple Feedback Loop

r

y

Fig. 1.1. The Simple Feedback Loop

All the above stated control problems can be summarized by the block diagram shown in Figure 1. The control problems are solved by means of feedback.

The entity to be controlled is denoted y and referred to as the measurement signal or output. The signal used to affect the process is denoted u and referred to as the control signal or input. The signal constituting the reference value

34

for the output is denoted r and called the reference value, or the setpoint. The notions of input and output are used in the literature, but are unfortunate, since they cause confusion. Among controller manufacturers, it is common to call the control signal output and the measurement signal input.

The purpose of the controller is to determine the control signal u such that the measurement signal y tracks the reference r as well as possible. The control problem would have been an easy one if the process was static, i.e. that there was a static relation between y and u such that y(t) = f (u(t)) Most processes are, however, dynamic, i.e. y(t) = f (u[−∞, t]) It is crucial to understand the dynamics of the process, in order to solve an automatic control problem.

DEVELOPING PROFESSIONAL VOCABULARY

Working out the meaning of unknown words

2. The following words in the box are all from the text above. Find them in the text.

corresponding measurement unfortunate setpoint reference value

3. For each word, read the sentence it occurs in and answer the questions.

a)Is the word positive, negative or neutral?

b)Is it a noun, adjective, adverb or verb?

c)Can you think of a word with a similar meaning (synonym) and one with an opposite meaning (antonym)?

AFTER READING TASKS

4 Answer the following questions.

1.What is automatic control used for?

2.Does a human body contain any control systems? What are they?

3.What is the input in a feedback loop?

4.What is the output?

5.What is the purpose of the controller?

6.What does the feedback loop consist of?

35

7.Why the notions of input and output are called unfortunate in the text?

8.Do you study any automatic control systems? Where are they used?

5. Mark the statements as true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones.

1.We use knowledge of physics and mechanics to control various processes in our environment.

2.Automatic control is used in a narrow field of study.

3.Automatic control is limited to technological uses.

4.The signal used to affect the process is denoted u and referred to as the control signal or input.

5.Automatic control processes are mostly static.

6.Match the words with their definitions/explanations.

36

7. Match the synonyms.

Technology, behavior, velocity, disturbance, number, variation, reference value, unfortunate, manufacturer, purpose, equation, mill, feedback loop.

Feedback circuit, plant, aim, producer, unlucky, variety, quantity, setpoint, speed, interruption, technique, characteristic.

8. Translate from Russian into English.

1.Автоматическийконтрольэтотехнология, используемаявразличных технологический процессах. Она помогает достичь желаемых характеристик.

2.В механике используются уравнения для вычисления скорости движения. (Mechanics uses….)

3.В теории автоматического контроля используются уравнения для разработки круиз контроля. (Theory of control uses….)

4.Функциональная схема разъясняет отдельные виды процессов, протекающих в устройствах.

5.Автоматический контроль используется в антиблокировочной тормозной системе и в гидроусилителях руля.

6.Тело человека также содержит системы контроля, например, контроль температуры и световой контроль.

7.Все входное напряжение поступает на вход обратной связи.

8.Контролируемая величина обозначается у и называется измерительный сигнал или вход.

9.Назначение контроллера – определение управляющего сигнала.

10.Сигнал, составляющий опорное значение для выхода, обозначается r и называется опорным значением.

WORD BUILDING

Префексы - un, - dis,- in,- im придают слову отрицательное значение:

interrupteduninterrupted armamentdisarmament justiceinjustice possibleimpossible

37

9. Translate the following sentences. Pay attention to the negative prefixes.

1.This anti-lock brake system is inexpensive.

2.I dislike the appearance of building.

3.Your design has two disadvantages.

4.He was unable to see the disadvantages of the device.

5.These are most unfavourable conditions for fruitful work.

6.It is in disagreement with the law.

7.It was impossible to use this block diagram.

8.Very soon they will be unable to make experiments in this laboratory.

9.His inability to solve the equation was clear.

10.We were to disconnect the two ends of the wire.

11.The technician was inattentive checking the signal strength.

12.These substances are incapable to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time.

GRAMMAR FOCUS

ИНФИНИТИВ В ФУНКЦИИ ПОДЛЕЖАЩЕГО И ИНФИНИТИВ В ФУНКЦИИ ОБСТОЯТЕЛЬСТВА ЦЕЛИ

38

Инфинитив в начале предложения может выполнять функцию обстоятельства и подлежащего.

Сравните:

1.To learn the principles of lift the scientists had to carry out a lot of experiments.

Длятого, чтобыизучитьпринципывозникновения подъемнойсилы, ученые должны были провести много опытов.

2.To learn the principles of lift was very important.

Изучить принципы возникновения подъемной силы было очень важно.

10. Translate the following sentences. State the function of the infinitive.

1. То supply the needs of the new civilization a vast development of technology became necessary.

2. To accomplish this work requires great skill.

3. To reinforce the metal engineers use artificial fibres.

4. To make possible communication from a human being and a computer is the main purpose of the input unit.

5. To understand the difference between the following circuit connections is not difficult at all.

6. The purpose of the electrical source is to produce the necessary electromotive force.

7. To start the business of proprietorship it is necessary to obtain licenses required by the law.

8. Voltmeter is used to measure the value of voltage in the circuit.

9. To understand alternating currents, we must consider two properties of an electric circuit, namely resistance and self-inductance.

10. To keep a constant temperature in buildings, despite variations in the outdoor temperature and the number of persons in the building, is a classic control problem.

11. The signal used to affect the process is denoted u and referred to as the control signal or input.

39

12. To keep a constant temperature in buildings, despite variations in the outdoor temperature and the number of persons in the building, is a classic control problem.

13. Different models meant different materials to be handled and moved, different sizes of materials, etc.

14. They are using reprogrammable robots to increase the productivity and versatility of their line.

15. Siemens is using automation technology to support the development of efficient production processes for large-scale batteries.

16. Siemens is equipping the plant with a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to handle production data.

17. Some restaurants now are using robots to deliver food and are deploying self-ordering kiosks for customers.

18. The final customer often expects the machine builder to customize the machine operation to meet their specific needs.

ИНФИНИТИВ В ФУНКЦИИ OПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ

40