Vocabulary

to encompass - заключать, включать

utilization - использование

flexibility - гибкость

to emerge - появляться

to expand - расширяться

promising - перспективный

keen interest - живой интерес

exciting - захватывающий

opportunity - возможность

to recognize - признавать

machine – tool - станок

steam engine - паровой двигатель

allied - смежный

to deal with - иметь дело с

media - среда

boiler - котёл

extent - степень

division - раздел; отдел

applied - прикладный

fuel - топливо

handling - транспортировка

rubber - резина; каучук

wood - дерево; лес

ЗАДАНИЯ К ТЕКСТУ:

1. Прочтите текст и определите, какое событие, связанное с утверждением машиностроения как отдельная отрасль техники упомянуто в тексте.

2. Заполните схему, используя информацию текста.

3. Ответьте на вопросы:

1. When was mechanical engineering recognized as a separate branch of engineering? 2. What does mechanical engineering deal with? 3. What are these machines? 4. What is necessary to understand better the extend of the activities and interests of mechanical engineers? 5. What are professional divisions?

What do mechanical engineers do?

Because of the breadth of their preparation, mechanical engineers enjoy many professional options. Graduates of the mechanical engineering program work in a variety of industries:

Aerospace Heavy machinery

Automobile Metal forming

Chemical Mining

Communications Oceanographic

Computers Petroleum

Electric utilities Rubber and glass

Electronics Textile

Wherever mechanical engineers work, they usually specialize in one or more areas. Some conduct research, advancing engineering knowledge by experimenting with materials and processes. Others apply research data in the development of new or improved products. Some mechanical engineers concentrate on design, using practical as well as theoretical knowledge to specify parts and materials for a new device. Those who specialize in manufacturing analyze methods and equipment to find the most efficient productions techniques. When processes are unusually complex, mechanical engineers may head operations departments that assure the optimal functioning of a system. Mechanical engineers often combine their technical knowledge and their human relations skills to move into marketing and sales or to assume positions in management.

Mechanical engineering also provides a useful background for other professions, and some graduates choose careers in medicine, law, education, government, or business.

Demand for qualified mechanical engineers is high.

Mechanical engineers have a wide range of job opportunities. They may be management, sales, development, research, or design or production engineers in industries such as food, steel, chemicals and heavy and light engineering. They also can work in service industries such as transport and gas, water and electricity.

Mechanical engineers are vital to the running of plants. Without them production would be impossible. Each plant is likely to be different. Some are large, some are small and most are complex. The main operational objectives of safety, efficiency and profitability are common to them all and demand a range of technical and personal skills from the engineers.

Mechanical engineers are concerned with machines, mechanisms and energy conversion. Mechanical equip­ment is at the core of the plants. Each plant is different from the next: the machines are particular to the process involved in making the end product and mechanical en­gineers are involved in their design, building and operation. They are at the forefront of technology: pressing the limits of material capability, developing new materials of construction, specifying complex machines and doing all of this with the most sophisticated design techniques.

Mechanical engineers' jobs are demanding and exciting. Their skills, technical and managerial, are used to the fullest. In plant operation the job is to keep the plant running and stimulate the team to make better use of equipment to improve performance.

Mechanical engineers are at the core of production: they manage plant and equipment, they manage people. In fact, they manage our future.