Vocabulary:

mechanical engineering – машиностроение

maintenance – техническое обслуживание и (текущий) ремонт

profound – абсолютный, полный, совершенный

sequence – последовательность; следование

appliance – аппарат, прибор, приспособление, устройство

efficient – эффективный, действенный; действительный

sophisticated – сложный, замысловатый; усовершенствованный

to fulfil – выполнять; делать, осуществлять, завершать, заканчивать

item – продукт; изделие, отдельная операция (в перечне технологических операций)

mitigation – ослабление; смягчение; подавление

interfacial –

velocity – скорость, быстродействие

acceleration – ускорение; разгон, разбег

load – загрузка, нагрузка, усилие

range – диапазон, интервал, пределы, зона, область

stiff – жесткий, плотный, сложный, сильный, интенсивный

pressure – давление

drop – падение, снижение, понижение, спад

drag – сопротивление

distribution – распределение, размещение, распространение

to interpret – интерпретировать, транслировать, объяснять

measurement – измерение

to estimate – считать, полагать, оценивать, давать оценку, расценивать

Unit 2 text 2. What is a mechanical engineer?

Mechanical engineering plays a dominant role in enhancing safety, economic vitality, enjoyment and overall quality of life throughout the world. Mechanical engineers are concerned wiht the principles of force, energy and motion. The men and women who work as mechanical engineers are professionals with expert knowledge of the design and manufacture of mechanical systems and thermal devices and processes. Some examples of products and processes developed by mechanical engineers include engines and control systems for automobiles and aircraft, electric power generation plants, lifesaving medical devices and consumer products ranging from air conditioners to personal computers and athletic equipment. They also design the machines that mass-produce these products. Virtually every aspect of life is touched by mechanical engineering. If something moves or uses energy, a mechanical engineer was probably involved in its design or production.

An Evolving Profession

The explosive development and expansion in computer technology has literally cnanged the face of mechanical engineering. The drawing board has given way to computer-aided-designed (CAD), and sophisticated computational software tools have enabled mechanical engineers to develop efficient solutions to complex technical problems. For example, the emerging high-tech field of nanofechnology is attracting mechanical engineers to design ultra-miniature machines and tiny implantable medical devices that navigate the human body searching for disease and damaged tissue. Also, the growing concern for the planet and the quality of life for future generations have spurred continuing efforts by mechanical engineers to design resource-efficient and recyclable products and develop equipment and processes to clean-up existing environmental problems ana prevent their reoccurrence.

These technologies and a host of others will have an impact on lives in the 21st century, and their development ana refinement require the skills, intuition and creative ability of mechanical engineers. At the same time, mechanical engineers are expected to understand and convey the real-world consequences of technology development alternatives to decision-makers and the public.