Part I. Materials science and machine tools

The Materials Science Laboratory

UNIT 1

Read the text:

Mechanical Engineering

Today machines have to withstand such tremendous stresses and to be able of such complex motions that complicated and specialized calculations taking hundreds of factors into account are needed in the design of even quite a simple machine like a motorcar engine.

So, as engineering progresses, engineers must become ever more scientific and specialized. Today the branches of engineering are so wide that it is impossible to classify them satisfactorily. But we may try to divide them into uses. The main divisions of engineering may be listed as follows:

• Mechanical engineering – steam engines, internal combustion engines, turbines (steam, gas, water), pumps; compressors; machine-tools; mechanisms.

• Electrical engineering – a) power: generators; motors; transformers; transmission (power lines and so on); b) electronics: radio, radar, television.

• Civil engineering – dams; tunnels; roads, and so on.

• Structural engineering – the structural details of all large buildings and bridges.

• Chemical engineering.

Mechanical engineering has been recognized as a separate branch of engineering since the formation of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers of Great Britain in 1847. The development of the textile machinery, steam engines, machine-tools, pumping machinery, turbines and locomotives of that time made such a diversity interest for civilian engineers that these and allied subjects were called mechanical engineering.

Mechanical engineering deals with the design, construction and operation of machines and devices of all kinds, and with research and sciences upon which these depend. Among these machines are prime movers such as engines and turbines using air, gas, steam and water as operating media; pumping machines and other hydraulic apparatus; heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating equipment, transportation structures used in aviation and many others. To understand better the extent of the activities and interests of mechanical engineers, the following lists of the professional divisions and technical committees of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers* (ASME) are given: applied mechanics, aviation, fuel, heat transfer, hydraulics, industrial instruments and regulators, metals engineering, oil and gas power, process industries, railroad, rubber and plastics etc.

ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.

• *http://www.asme.org/;

• *http://memagazine.asme.org/.

Assignments:

1. General understanding. Answer the questions:

1. What should be taken into account when designing a motorcar engine?

2. Why must engineers become more scientific and specialized?

3. What are the main divisions of engineering?

4. What spheres does mechanical engineering include?

5. When and where was mechanical engineering recognized as a separate branch of engineering?

6. What does ASME refer to?

7. When was ASME organization founded?

2. Translate these words and phrases into English:

Машиностроение; двигатель внутреннего сгорания; прикладная механика; станки; ткацкое оборудование; устройства; громадные нагрузки; насосное оборудование; объём деятельности / работы; гидравлика.

3. Match two parts of the sentences according to the text:

1. At present there are…	a) more scientific and specialized.
2. It is very difficult…	b) the special services of specialists from various branches.
3. The main divisions of engineering are…	c) numerous branches of engineering.
4. So, engineers must become…	d) complicated and specialized calculations are needed.
5. In designing even a simple machine…	e) to give a satisfactory classification of these branches.
6. Thus, any branch of engineering may require…	f) mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, structural engineering and chemical engineering.

4. Ask general questions to the following statements; then ask special questions to them:

1. Today it is impossible to classify the branches of engineering satisfactorily.

2. Mechanical engineering deals with the design, construction and operation of machines and devices of all kinds.

3. Mechanical engineering has been recognized as a separate branch of engineering since the formation of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers of Great Britain in 1847.

5. Match English terms and their definitions:

1.engineering	a) a fixed powered tool such as a lathe, for cutting or shaping metal, wood, or other material;
2.branch	b) a division or office of a large business or organization, operating locally or having a particular function;
3.engine	c) necessary items for a particular purpose;
4.equipment	d) the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures;
5.device	e) any machine designed to convert energy, esp. heat energy, into mechanical work;
6.machine tool	f) an established official organization having an important role in a society;
7.institution	g) a thing made or adapted for a particular purpose, especially a piece of mechanical or electronic equipment.

6. CD Tape-1. Listen to four people talking about mechanical engineering and identify the main topic of each conversation.

1) Choose from the topics in the box, and write the number of the topic next to the speaker in the chart opposite:

1.What mechanical engineers make; 2.How mechanical engineering developed; 3.Disciplines related to mechanical engineering; 4.The nature of the work; 5.Opportunities in mechanical engineering; 6.Ideal qualities in a mechanical engineer; 7. Fundamental subjects of mechanical engineering.	Speaker # 1:
	Speaker # 2:
	Speaker # 3:
	Speaker # 4:

2) Then listen again and complete each phrase below with the correct word.

1. heat transfer	4. fluid _____
2.refrigeration _____	5. aerospace _____
3.theoretical ______	6. electric ______

7. 1) Scan the text below quickly to find out which of these mechanisms are mentioned: cam; tap; pendulum; foot pump; escalator.

Mechanisms

Mechanisms are important part of everyday life. They allow us to do simple things like switch on lights, turn taps, and open doors. They also make it possible to use escalators and lifts, travel in cars, and fly from continent to continent.

Mechanisms play a vital role in industry. While many industrial processes have electronic control systems, it is still mechanisms that deliver the power to do the work. They provide the forces to press steel sheets into car body panels, to lift large components from place to place, to force plastic through dies to make pipes.

All mechanisms involve some kind of motion. The four basic kinds of motion are:

• rotary: wheels, gears, and rollers involve rotary movement;

• oscillating: the pendulum of a clock oscillates – it swings backwards or forwards;

• linear: the linear movement of a paper trimmer is used to cut the edge of the paper;

• reciprocating: the piston in a combustion engine reciprocates.

Many mechanisms involve changing one kind of motion into another type. For example, the reciprocating motion of a piston is changed into a rotary motion by the crankshaft, while a cam converts the rotary motion of the engine into the reciprocating motions required to operate the valves.

2) Read the text and answer the questions:

1. What does a cam do?

2. What does oscillating mean?

3. How are plastic pipes formed?

4. What simple mechanisms are mentioned directly or indirectly?

5. What is the function of the crankshaft?

6. Give an example of a device which can produce a linear movement.

7. How are car body panels formed?

3) The technical words in column A are similar in meaning to the more general English in column B. Match them:

	A		B
1. oscillates		a) changes;
2. rotates		b) large, thin, flat pieces;
3. reciprocates		c) moving stairs;
4. has a linear motion		d) goes round and round;
5. converts		e) movement;
6. motion		f) goes in line;
7. escalator		g) swings backwards and forwards;
8. sheets		h) goes up and down.

UNIT 2

Read the text: