Fill in the right words into the text.

a highly automated system; the introduction of microprocessors and computers; industrial robots; nonmanufacturing systems; word processors; automated manufacturing; numerically controlled machining centres; an integrated system of production; automatically; automatic-control mechanisms; FMS

“Automation” is the system of manufacture performing certain tasks previously done by people, by machines only. The sequences of operations are controlled (1)... The most familiar example of (2) …is an assembly plant for automobiles or other complex products.

The term “automation” is also used to describe (3) … 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.

(4) … 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.

(5) …, originally designed only to perform simple tasks in environments dangerous to human workers, are now widely used to transfer, manipulate, and position both light and heavy workpieces performing all the functions of a transfer machine.

In the 1920s the automobile industry for the first time used (6)... This method of production was adopted by most car manufacturers and became known as Detroit automation.

The feedback principle is used in all (7) … when machines have ability to correct themselves. The feedback principle has been used for centuries. An outstanding early example is the flyball governor, invented in 1788 by James Watt to control the speed of the steam engine. The common household thermostat is another example of a feedback device.

Using feedback devices, machines can start, stop, speed up, slow down, count, inspect, test, compare, and measure. These operations are commonly applied to a wide variety of production operations.

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 (8) … machine tools can perform several different machining operations.

More recently, (9) … 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 (10) … can be used to monitor and control the operation of the whole factory.

Automation has also had an influence on the areas of the economy other than manufacturing. Small computers are used in systems called (11) …, which are rapidly becoming a standard part of the modern office. They are used to edit texts, to type letters and so on.

UNIT 10: Computers in engineering