Machine-tools

I. Text A: «Machine-tools», Text B: «Lathe»,

Text C: «Milling, boring, drilling machines. Shapers and Planers», Text D: «Dies»

II. Famous people of science and technology: George Stephenson, Robert Slephenson.

Text A: «MACHINE-TOOIS»

Machine-tools are used to shape metals and other materials. The material to be shaped is called the workpiece. Most machine-tools are now electrically driven. Machine-tools with electrical drive are faster and more accurate than hand tools: they were an important element in the development of mass-production processes, as they allowed individual parts to be made in large numbers so as to be interchangeable.

All machine-tools have facilities for holding both the workpiece and the tool, and for accurately controlling the movement of the cutting tool relative to the workpiece. Most machining operations generate large amounts of heat, and use cooling fluids (usually a mixture of water and oils) for cooling and lubrication.

Machine-tools usually work materials mechanically but other machining methods have been developed lately. They include chemical machining, spark erosion to machine very hard materials to any shape by means of a continuous high-voltage spark (discharge) between an electrode and a workpiece. Other machining methods include drilling using ultrasound, and cutting by means of a laser beam. Numerical control of machine-tools and flexible manufacturing systems have made it possible for complete systems of machine-tools to be used flexibly for the manufacture of a range of products.

Vocabulary:

machine-tools — станки

electrically driven — с электроприводом

shape — форма

workpiece — деталь

accurate — точный