IПрочитайте и письменно переведите следующий текст. Письменно ответьте на вопросы к тексту. Automation Automation is the system of manufacture perform¬ing certain tasks, previously done by people, by machines only. The

Прочитайте и письменно переведите следующий текст. Письменно ответьте на вопросы к тексту.
 
 
Automation

Automation is the system of manufacture perform­ing certain tasks, previously done by people, by machines only. The sequences of operations are controlled auto­matically. The most familiar example of a highly auto­mated system is an assembly plant for automobiles or other complex products.

The term automation is also used to describe nonmanufacturing systems in which automatic devices can op­erate independently of human control. Such devices as automatic pilots, automatic telephone equipment and automated control systems are used to perform various operations much faster and better than could be done by people.

Automated manufacturing had several steps in its development. Mechanization was the first step necessary in the development of automation. The simplification of work made it possible to design and build machines that resembled the motions of the worker. These specialized machines were motorized and they had better production efficiency.

In the 1920s the automobile industry for the first time used an integrated system of production. This method of production was adopted by most car manufacturers and became known as Detroit automation.

The feedback principle is used in all automatic-con­trol mechanisms when machines have ability to correct themselves. The feedback principle has been used for centuries.

 Computers have greatly facilitated the use of feedback in manufacturing processes. Computers gave rise to the development of numerically controlled machines. The motions of these machines are controlled by punched paper or magnetic tapes. In numerically controlled ma­chining centres machine tools can perform several dif­ferent machining operations. 

More recently, the introduction of microprocessors and computers have made possible the development of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD and CAM) technologies. When using these systems a designer draws a part and indicates its dimensions with the help of a mouse, light pen, or other input device. Af­ter the drawing has been completed the computer automatically gives the instructions that direct a machining centre to machine the part.

Another development using automation are the flex­ible manufacturing systems (FMS). A computer in FMS can be used to monitor and control the operation of the whole factory.

Answer the questions:

1.   How is the term automation defined in the text?

2.   What is the most «familiar example» of automation given in the text?

3.  What was the first step in the development of automaton?

4.  What was the first industry to adopt the new integrated system of production?

5.    What do the abbreviations CAM and CAD stand for?