DOC《机电英语 文献摘录》

4 Since the nineteenth century both scientific and practical application of its results have escalated. The mechanical engineer now has the mathematical ability to calculate the mechanical advantage that results from the complex interaction of many different mechanisms. He or she has new and stronger materials to work with and enormous new source of power. The Industrial Revolution began by putting water and steam to work;

since then machines using electricity, gasoline, and other energy sources have become so widespread that they now do a very large proportion of the work of the world.

5 One result of the rapid expansion of scientific knowledge was an increase in the number of scientific and engineering specialities. By the end of the nineteenth century not only were mechanical, civil, and mining and metallurgical engineering established but the newer specialties of chemical and electrical engineering emerged. This expansion has continued to the present day. We now have, for example, nuclear, petroleum, aerospace, and electronic engineering. Within the field of each engineering there are subdivisions.

6 For example, within the field of civil engineering itself, there are subdivisions: structural engineering, which deals with permanent structure;

hydraulic engineering, which is concerned with systems involving the flow and control of water or other fluids;

and sanitary or environmental engineering, which involves the study of water supply, purification, and sewer systems. The major subdivision of mechanical engineering'

s industrial engineering which is concerned with complete mechanical systems for industry rather than individual machines.

7 Another result of the increase in scientific knowledge is that engineering has grown into a profession. A profession is an occupation like law, medicine, or engineering that requires specialized, advanced education;

indeed, they are often called the learned professions. Until the nineteenth century, engineers generally were craftsmen or project organizers who learned their skills through apprenticeship, on-the-job training, or trial and error. Nowadays, many engineers spend years studying at universities for advanced degree. Yet even those engineers who do not study for advanced degrees must be aware of changes in their field and those related to it.

8 Thus, the word engineer is used in two ways in English. One usage refers to the professional engineer who has a university degree and education in mathematics, science, and one of the engineering specialties. Engineer, however, is also used to refer to a person who operates or maintains an engine or machine. An excellent example is the railroad locomotive engineer who operates a train. Engineers in this sense are essentially technicians rather than professional engineers. Industry and Technology (工业和技术)

1 Science is the study of the laws of nature. Technology is the application of science for some practical purpose. Industry, in turn, uses technology to produce the products we use every day.

2 The methods used by people to make things are constantly changing. For example, in ancient times, if someone needed a chair, he had to make it by himself. Later on, the people who were especially good at making chairs and other furniture became cabinetmakers. They did nothing else but making wooden articles which they sold or traded to other people. These crafts people had to be very skilled. They had to know about the different kinds of wood and how to season it. They had to design furniture and therefore know joinery methods. They had to know how to use tools to work the wood and what kind of finishes to use and how to apply them. In other words, they had to know about all aspects of their craft.