Working Robots

1. Complete the text with words from the box. compressed mechanical dangerous mobile different electric specific

remote

repeated

Robots are machines that are guided by (1) mechanical and electronic means. They carry out functions that may be (2) __________, heavy-duty, unhealthy, or ones that are (3) __________, many times. Robots run on (4) __________ motors, (5) __________ air, sensors and computer systems. Some are fixed, and others are (6) __________. Some robots are operated by (7) __________ control, as in undersea or space exploration. Other robots are set up to do their tasks by a teach -and repeat method. For instance, an operator teaches a robot a (8) __________ job by moving the robots arm through the (9) __________ positions. The positioning data is recorded and stored in the robots computer memory.

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

42

2. Reading
Television satellites are all in orbit about 22, 200 miles (35,700 km) above the Earth and travel at approximately 7000 mph (11,000 kph). At this speed and altitude, the satellite revolves around the planet once every 24 hours, the same period of times it takes the Earth to make one full rotation. In other words, the satellite appears to be permanently at the same location. You therefore only need to direct your dish at the satellite once, and then it picks up the signal without further adjustment. Satellites transmit signals in the frequency ranges of 10.7 12.75 GHz (in Europe). The feed horn (or LBN, low noise block) on the satellite dish on your roof converts this high-frequency signal into a lower signal in the range of 950 2150 MHz.

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

43

3. . Communications
1.1 What do you know about communications satellites? Do this quiz with your partner. All the numbers are approximate.

1. How high are communications satellites above the earth? a) 15,000 km b) 25,000 km c) 35,000 km d) 45,000 km

2. How fast do these satellites travel around the earth? a) 7000 km/h b) 11, 000 km/h c) 15, 000 km/h d) 21, 000 km/h

3) What frequency are signals from a communications satellite to your satellite dish? a) 12 GHz b) 1 GHz c) 500,000 MHz d) 5000 MHz

4. What frequency are the signals from your satellite dish to your TV? a) 150 MHz b) 1500 MHz c)15,000 MHz d) 150,000 MHz

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

44

4. Read the instructions and label the diagram with the words in the box.
computer TV dish DTV card feed horn satellite

TV station

How to receive satellite digital video broadcasts Equipment needed

1.

You will need a computer with a DTV (digital

TV) card.
2.

This is connected by cable to a satellite dish,

which should be between 60 cm and 1.8 m in diameter.

3.

The dish must have a feed horn, this converts

high-frequency signals to low-frequency ones. How it works

4.

There is a communications satellite in orbit

high above the earth. TV programmes are transmitted from TV stations up to the satellite, which then sends the signals down to earth. These signals have a high frequency of several GHz.
5.

Your dish receives the high-frequency signals

and reflects them to the feed horn, which then converts the signal into a lower frequency.
6.

The feed horn is connected via a cable to the

DTV card, which processes the signal. It extracts the video and audio, and plays them via the PC monitor and speakers.

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

45

5. Describe the setup and explain to the class how it works.

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

46

5. Write the headings above the six texts about working robots.
a) Painting b) Handling c) Welding1

d) Palletising2 e) Finishing f) Cutting

1) 2)

joining two pieces of metal together.

placing heavy things on a large wooden frame for storage. 1________________ 2________________

Car assembly plants have used robots This was an early application of robots, as the process produces harmful, for many years as this process produces flammable fumes as the paint dangerous fumes and bright lights. Robot evaporates. The robots have quite thin arms have to carry a weld gun that can arms as they dont have to carry much weight. weigh over 100 kg 3________________ 4________________

Robots are a good choice as the process With a six-axis robot, you can finish parts in all kinds of materials. The robot holds can involve dangerous technologies. The either the part or the tool. You can also robot holds either the part or the cutting use a multipurpose tool at the end of the robot arm. tool. 5________________ 6________________

Robots have the power and speed for As an example, a robot picks up bags of cement and places them on a pallet. It this kind of job. They can move car parts, counts the bags and knows where the eggs, chocolates, bottles of drinks, and next one must be placed. And knows loads up to 120 kg. They can perform at where the next one must be placed. Simpler four-or five-axis robots can be rates of 150 picks per minute. used, e.g. for palletising foods or building materials.

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

47

6. Working Robots examples

Dr. Lenin Lara Olivo

48