English for Mechanical Engineering

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““S.

AOE.

HO CHI MINH UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY

MECHANICAL FACULTY

NGUYEN THI MY DUNG

HO CHI MINH CITY - 2009
(For Internal Use Only)


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3y...

AE.

Ms

MT

LT

HO CHI MINH UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY
MECHANICAL FACULTY

NGUYEN THI MY DUNG

HO CHI MINH CITY - 2009
(For Internal Use Only)
|


CONTENTS
1. Unit one

Engineering- What's it all about

05

2. Unit two

Engineering Materials and Plastics

11

3. Unit three

Metals

17

4. Unit four

Corrosion

23

5. Unit ñve

Materials Science and Technology

27

6. . Unit six

Composite Materials

32

7 . Unit seven

Mechanisms

36

8. . Unit eight

Magnets, Magnetism and Magnetic Fields

39

9 . Unit nine

Automation

43

10. Unit ten

Robots

49

11. Unit Eleven

Traditional Machine Tools

55

12. Unit Twelve

Welding

63

References

72


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chỉ Minh University of Industry

5

UNIT ONE

ENGINEERING

~ WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT

What is engineering?
Engineering is largely a practical activity.

ideas into action. Civil engineers are
bridges, roads, airports, etc. Mechanical

It is about putting

concerned with making
engineers deal with the

design, test, manufacture and operating tools and machinery of all
types.
Electrical
engineering
is
about
the
generation
and

distribution

of electricity

and

its

many

applications.

Electronic

engineering
is
concerned
with
developing
components
equipments for communication, computing, and so on.
Mechanical

aeronautical,

engineering

heating,

and

includes

ventilating,

marine,

and

and

automobile,

others.

Electrical

engineering includes generating electricity, electrical installation,
lighting, etc. Mining engineering and medical engineering belong
partly to mechanical and partly to electrical.
Transport: Cars, trains, ships, and planes are all products of
mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineers are also involved in

support services such as roads, rail track, harbors, and bridges.
Food processing: Mechanical engineers design, develop, and
make the machine and the processing equipment for harvesting,
preparing and preserving the foods and drinks that fill the
supermarkets.
Medical

engineering:

body

scanners,

X-

ray

machines,

life-

supports systems, and other high tech equipment result from
mechanical and electrical engineers combining with medical
experts to convert ideas into life-preserving products.
Building services: Electrical engineers provide all the services
we need in our homes and places of work, including lighting,

heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, and lifts.

the

Energy and power: Electrical engineers are concerned with
production and distribution of electricity to homes, offices,


6

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

industry, hospitals, colleges, and school, and the installation
the maintenance of the equipment involved in the processes.

and

Careers in Engineering
Professional engineers may work as:
Design engineers: They work as part of a team to create
products and extend the life of old products by updating them
finding new applications for them. Their aim is to build quality
reliability into the design and to introduce new components
materials to make the product cheaper, lighter, or stronger.
Installation engineers:

They work

on the customer’s

new
and
and
and

premises

to install equipment produced by their company.
Production
engineers:
They ensure that the production
process is efficient, that materials are handled safely and correctly,

and that faults which occur in production

are corrected.

The

design

and development departments consult with them to ensure that
any innovations proposed are practicable and cost- effective.
Just below the professional engineers are the technician
engineers: they require a detailed knowledge of a particular
technology-

lead teams

electrical, mechanical,

of engineering

electronic,

technicians.

engineering technicians may work as:

and

Technician

so on. ‘They may

engineers

and

Test/ Laboratory technicians: They test samples of the
materials and of the product to ensure quality is maintained.
Installation
and
service
technicians:
they
ensure
that
equipment sold by the company is installed correctly and carry out
preventative maintenance and essential repairs.
Production planning and control technicians: They produce
the manufacturing instructions and organize the work of production
so that it can be done as quickly, cheaply, and efficiently as
possible.
Inspection technicians: They check and ensure that incoming
and outgoing components and products ‘meet specifications.
Debug technicians: They fault find, repair, and test equipment
and products down to component level.


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

Draughts

drawings

and

manufactured.

men

/ women

design

and

documents

designers:

from

which

they

7

produce

the product

the

is

The next grades are craftsmen/ women. Their work is highly
skilled and practical. Craftsmen and women may work as:
Toolmakers: They make dies and moulding tools which are
used to punch and form metal components and produce plastic
components such as car bumpers.

work.

Fitters: They assemble components into large products.
Maintenance fitters: They repair machinery. .
Welders: They do specialized joining, fabricating, and

repair

Electricians; They wire and install electrical equipments.
Operators require fewer skills. Many operator jobs consist
mainly of minding a machine, especially now that more and more
processes are automated. However, some operators may have to
check components produced by their machines to ensure they are
accurate. They may require training in the use of instruments such
aS micrometers, verniers, or simple gauges.

A. Checking your comprehension

1.

Complete

the
blanks
in
tnformation from the text.

the

diagram

using

Engineerin

Civil

3

|

|

| ;

Aulomobile

|

Aeronautical

7

—

4

|

|

Electrical

Electricity
S

Medical

Electrical

installation

>

6

|

|


`

8

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Mink Uni versity of industry

2. Put T or F to indicate if the statements
True or False: -

a.
b.

below

Engineering is about putting ideas into action.
Mechanical engineering is concerned with making

bridges,

roads, airports, etc.

c.

d.

Electrical engineering is about developing components
equipment for communications, computing and so on.

Cars,

trains,

engineering.
e.

f.

ships

and

plane

are

products

are

of

and

civil

Mechanical engineers deal with the design, making the
machines
and the processing equipment for harvesting,
preparing and preserving the food that fill-the supermarkets.

Mechanical engineers are concerned with the production and

distribution of electricity to home, offices, and industry.

3.

Complete
diagram

unit

The

main

the
and

text using
information
from
language you have studied in

the
this

branches of engineering are civil, (1)
;
(2)
and
electronic.

Mechanical
engineering
¡is
(3)
(4)
_
machinery of all kinds. This branch of
engineering includes marine, automobile, aeronautical, heating, and
ventilating. The first three are concerned with (5)
(6)
, cars and planes. The last (7)
with airconditioning, refrigeration, etc.
Electrical
engineering
deals
with
(8)
from
generation
to use. Electricity generating is concerned
with
(9)
stations.
Electrical
installation
deals
(10)
cables,
switches
,

and
connecting
up
equipment.
(11)
Two branches of engineering include both (12)
and
(13)
engineers. These are mining and (14)
engineering. The former deals with mines and mining equipment,
the latter with hospital (15)
ofallkinds.
,


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry
4,

9

Answer the following questions:
Who

would be employed to:

1. test completed motors from a production line?
2. find out why a new electronics assembly does not work?
3. produce a mould for a car body part?
4. see that the correct test equipment is available
production line?

5. find a cheaper way of manufacturing a crankshaft?

on

a

6. repair heating system installed by their company?
7. see that a new product is safe to use?

8. commission a turbine in a power station?

B. Increase vocabulary
1. Fill in each
given:
Noun
Mechanics

space

with

the

correct

form

Adjective
Mechanical

Electricity
Medical
Practice
Industrial

the

word


10

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C. Language Use

What is the link between column A and column B?
A
B
Mechanical
Electrical

Machine
Electricity

Solumn A lists a branch of engineering or a type of engineer.
Column B lists things they are concerned with. We can show the
link between them in a number of ways:
1.

Mechanical engineering deals with machines.

2.

Mechanical engineers deal with machines.

3.

Mechanical engineering is concerned with machines.


II

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UNIT TWO

ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Engineers have to know the best and most economical
materials to use. Engineers must also understand the properties of
There

these materials and how they can be worked.

are two kinds:

of materials used in engineering- metals and non- metals. We can
divide metals into ferrous and nonferrous metals. The former

contain iron and the latter do not contain iron. Cast iron and steel,
which are alloys, or mixtures of iron and carbon, are the two most

important ferrous metals. Steel contains a smaller proportion of
carbon than cast iron contains. Certain elements can improve the
properties of steel] and are therefore added to it. For example,
chromium may be included to resist corrosion and tungsten to
increase hardness. Aluminum, copper, and
brass, are common non- ferrous metals.

be

the alloys, bronze

and

Plastics and ceramics are non- metals; however, plastics may
machined like metals. Ceramics are often employed by

engineers when
is needed.
Plastics - Man’s

materials,

which

can withstand

high

temperature

Most Useful Material

The word “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos” and

is used to describe something which can be easily shaped. You will
see what a suitable name this is for “plastics”.

No other material in the history of the world has been used
for so many different purposes. But what ‘special qualities do
plastics have?. The lightness of plastics is one of their most
valuable qualities. Think how easy it is to lift plastic furniture!
Think, too, how light plastic containers are! A delivery man can
carry many more plastic containers made of wood or metal or glass.
It

is

quite

extraordinary

how

many

different

kinds

and

qualities of plastics there are .They can be harder than wood or
softer than rubber. They can be made so strong that they will last


12

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

almost forever, or so thin and cheap that they can be thrown away
after only being used once. They can be made as clear as glass or
completely black. They can be made to look like wood or leather or
rubber or stone.

Plastics were at first based on coal and wood. But today they
are nearly all based on mineral oil, that is to say, oil which is
found under the ground. Mineral oil, of course, is of no use to man
until it has been cleaned and separated into its different
commercial products- oil for ships and trains, petrol for cars and
aero-planes, machine oil of all kinds. This cleaning and separating

is

known

as

“refining”

and

is

done

in

big

factories

called

“refineries”.

For a long time scientists could find little use for the material
which remained after the oil had been refined. Then one day
scientists made the exciting discovery that it could be turned into
plastics.
The manufacture of plastics demands an immense amount of
heavy machinery as well as acknowledge of science. Today nearly
all modern plastics are manufactured by the world’s great oil
refineries and chemical works. The refineries and chemical works
produce many different kinds of raw plastics. These are then sent
to the tens of thousands of factories all over the world which make
plastic goods.
Machinery for making plastic goods is quite different from the

machinery used for manufacturing articles of wood or metal or
other natural materials. For raw plastics are first softened by heat
and then pressed into moulds. It is the moulds which give plastic
objects their shape. These moulds can be of any shape or size. And
the same mould can be used over and over again. In fact, one mould
can produce many thousands of articles before it wears out. It is
this which makes plastic goods so cheap.
Although there are so many different kinds of raw plastics,
they can be divided into two main types.
Plastics of the first type are hard. Once they have been taken

from their moulds they will never melt or soften again under heat.


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh Universtty of industry

13

They are therefore very useful for radios and many different kinds
of electrical articles. This type is termed thermosetting plastics.
Plastics of the second type, thermoplastics, can be bent
because they are softer. They are therefore perfect for pipes and

containers

of all kinds.

They

do not

usually

break

if they

are

dropped and so they are very useful for everyday things like cups or
plates. But if you put plastics of this kind too close to a fire they

will melt. They often change their shape, too, if they are dropped
into very hot liquids. Surprisingly, many of these softer plastics can
be put into cold water, and can then be heated to a very great heat.

A. Comprehension
1.

What
are the
engineering?

2.

Name

two

main

kinds

of

materials

used

the two subgroups of metals. Give some examples of

each group.

&

in

What is the property of Chromium?

DĐ

Is brass an alloy? Why?

Ø

What are the two types of plastics?

mx

Can plastics be shaped and reshaped?

œ

What are the properties of plastics?

@@

Mention the main property of tungsten.

What are the materials used to produce plastics?

B _Tr ue or False

1 Non- metals are used by engineers.
2 . Cast iron contains more carbon than steel.
3.

Chromium improves the property of steel.

4.

Copper is an alloy of iron.

5.

Plastics can be made from ceramics and wood.

6.

Thermosetting plastics can be machined like metals.

7.

Thermoplastics are formed into metals.

8 . Thermosetting plastics are softer than thermoplastics.

—


l4

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

9.

Plastic goods can be made by machinery
produce articles of wood or metal.

that

is used

to

10. Ceramics can withstand high temperatures.

C. Substitution
1.

2.

3.
4,

Nickel steel is œ mixture of iron, carbon and nickel.

Chromium can be ineluded in steel to provide
cutting edge.
There are many kinds of steel use in industry.
Ceramics

are

used

by

engineers

where

heat-

:
resistant

5.

materials are needed.

Chromium steels resist corrosion.

6.

If you put thermoplastics near a fire, they wil] melt.

7.

a good

Thermoplastics are ideal for pipes and containers.

D. Completing
Exercise 1:
Complete the diagram,
reading passage.

using

the information

Engineering
materials

Ferrous
metal

from

the

415

Fuculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

Exercise 2:
Draw diagrams to classify the items in
lists. Each diagram should have three levels.

the

following

1.

Alloys, copper, brass, pure metals, aluminium, metals.

2.

Brazing,

are

electric-

soldering,

welding,

joining

metals

methods, welding, oxy- acetylene welding.

3.

Measuring
instruments,
non-precision
instruments,
micrometer,
vernier
gauge,
meter
sticks,
precision
instruments, slip blocks, foot-rule.

4.

Units of area, cubic meter, metric units, millimeter,
meter, linear units, kilometer, units of volume.

5.

Milling

machine,

copy

miller,

shaping

machines,

square

drilling

machines, vertical shaper, radial arm drill, machine tools
E. Sentence Connectors
Some common sentence connectors are however, because, and,
whereas, such as, to, from/ to, with/ which, to/ which, then, by, etc.

Examples:
Plastics
cheap

and

are

have

used

widely

a resistance

they are not particularly strong.
Now

join

the following

in
to

engineering
atmospheric

|
groups

because
corrosion;

they

are

however,

|

of sentences

using

the

connecting words printed at the beginning of each group.
You may omit words and make whatever changes you think
are necessary in the word order and punctuation of the

sentences.

—

1. AND
There are two types of plastics.
Thermoplastics are a kind of plastic.
The second one is thermosetting plastics.
2. AND/ WHEREAS/

AND

Thermoplastics will soften when heated.
Thermoplastics will harden when cooled.


16

Fucuity of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

Thermosets set on heating. |
Thermosets wil} not rexmelt.
3. PROM/ TO
Plastics are used to make a great variety of products,
Plastics are used to make textiles.
Plastics are used to make engineering components.
4. SUCH AS
Plastics are available in many forma.
Plastics are available
moulding powers and resins.

in

the

form

of sheets,

tubes,

5. TO
Various methods are used..

They convert raw plastic into finished products.
6. WITH/ WHICH
The equipment consists of a press.

The press has two heated platens.
The two platens carry an upper and a lower mould.

7. THEN
Power is placed in the lower mould.
This is moulding power.

The upper mould is pressed down on the lower mould.
8. TO/ WHICH
The pressure-and the heat change the power.

The power. becomes liquid plastic.
The liquid plastic fills the space between the moulds.

rods,


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17

UNIT THREE
METALS
Why does man use metals still so much today when there are
other materials, especially plastics, which are available? A material
is generally used because it offers the required strength, and other
properties, at minimum cost, Appearance is also an important
factor. The main advantage of metals is their strength and
toughness. Concrete may be cheaper and is often used in building,
but even concrete depends on its core of steel for strength.
Plastics are lighter and more corrosion — resistant, but they
are not usually as strong. Another problem with plastics is what to

do with them

after use. Metal objects can often be broken down

and metals recycled; plastics can only be dumped or burned.
Not all metals are strong, however. Copper and aluminum, for
example, are both fairly weak but if they are mixed together, the
result is an alloy called aluminum bronze, which is much stronger
than either pure copper pure copper or pure aluminum. Alloying is
an important method of obtaining whatever special properties are
magnetic
resistance to wear,
toughness,
strength,
required:
properties, high electrical resistance or corrosion resistance.

The properties of metals can be further improved by use of
heat treatment. Heat treatment is the term given to a number of
different procedures in which the properties of metals and alloys
are changed. It usually consists of heating the metal or alloy to a
selected temperature below its melting point and then cooling it at
a certain rate to obtain those properties, which are required. For
example, hardening is used to make metals harder. Tempering
makes them softer and less brittle. Annealing is carried out to
make a metal soft so that it can be machined more easily. In this
way, metallic materials can be produced to meet every kind of
engineering specifications and requirements.
uns
When Concorde was built, a material wag heAdeidao niehi gaye

withstand extreme aerodynamic conditions wad would hava a Tife ab


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

18

at least 45.000 flying hours. To achieve this, a special aluminum
alloy was developed which is tough and lightweight and is used in
over 70%
strength

of Concorde’s structure. Another 16% is made of high —
are used in the engine
alloys
steel, and titanium

surrounds té withstand temperatures of 4000 degrees centigrade.
Methods of extracting, producing and treating metals are
being developed all the
This means that there

time to meet engineering requirements.
is an enormous variety of metals and

metallic materials available from which to choose.

A. CHECKING READING COMPREHENSION
Put True or False to indicate if the statements below are

True or False according to the facts in the reading text
1. Concrete isn’t an inexpensive building material.
2. Plastics are more easily recycled than metals.
3. Aluminum bronze is an example of an alloy of copper.
4.

Pure copper is stronger than
mixing copper with aluminum.

5.

Tempering
harder..

the

alloys

that

are

made

is a kind of heat treatment used to make

by

metals

6.

Annealing is sometimes an advantage for a metal to be soft.

7.

Concorde is built mainly of steel.

B. SUSTITUTION
1, which noun does the underlined pronoun ‘ it’

1.

In paragraph
refer to?

2.

In

3.

In paragraph 3, what does the word ‘which’ substitute?

4.

In paragraph 4, what does the pronoun ‘it’ refer to?

5.

paragraph

substitute?

2,

which

noun

does

the

pronoun

‘ them’

In paragraph 4, which noun does the word ‘ its’ refer to?


19

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Minh University of Industry

C. INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY
(A) Properties of materials
words

These

and

phrases

refer

to

properties

of

materials:

corrosion resistant
toughness
Strength
In the passage, there are nine words or more which refer to
properties of materials. List them below:

6

1.
8®

9

aA

8.

PF

7

Now you write the meaning of these words:

1. loosen :
2. tighten :

3.

:

stiffen

4, brighten

:

5. cool :
(B) Nouns

Fill in

and Adjectives

each

given
NOUN

1,

2.
3. metal

space

with the correct form
ADJECTIVE

strong

resistant

of the word


20

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4. weakness

5.

hot

6. importance
D. SCAN THE TABLE WHICH FOLLOWS TO FINDA
MATERIAL WHICH IS :
1. soft

2. ductile
3. malleable

4. tough
5. scratch — resistant
6. conductive and malleable
7. durable and hard
8. stiff and brittle
9. ductile and corrosion — resistant

10. heat — resistant and chemical — resistant

Materials

Properties

‘Uses

Metals
Aluminum

Copper

Brass

_

Light, soft, ductile,

Aircraft , engine

corrosion- resistant

utensils

highly conductive,

components, cooking

cố

Very malleable, tough,

|Electric wiring,

and ductile, highly
conductive, corrosion —
resistant.

tubing

Very corrosion —
resistant. Casts well,

Valves, taps
castings, ship

work hardened. Good
conductor.

contacts

easily machined. Can be fittings , electrical
`


Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Ho Chi Mink University of Industry

Mild steel

High
steel

High strength, ductile,

|General purpose

tough, fairly malleable.
Can not be hardened
and tempered. Lew cost.
Poor corrosion
resistance.

carbon|Hardest of carbon steels

but less ductile and
malleable. Can be
hardened and tempered.

|Cutting tools such
as drills, files,
saws...

Thermoplastics
ABS

Acrylic

Nylon

High impact strength
and toughness, scratch

Safety helmets, car
jcomponents,

~ resistant, light and

telephones

durable.

kitchenware

Stiff, hard, very durable, {Aircraft canopies,

clear, can be polished

baths, double

easily. Can be formed
easily.

|glazing

Hard, tough, wearresistant, selflubricating.

Bearings, gears,
castings for power
tools

Thermosetting plastics
Epoxy

High strength when
reinforced, good
chemical and wear —

Adhesives,
encapsulation of
electronic

Stiff, hard, brittle.

Moulding, boat and

Good chemical and
heat resistance.

ear bodies

resistance.

Polyester

resin

components

21