Hello, my name is Nicole and I live in Montreal. I am currently attending the fourth semester of the Electrical Engineering Technology - Automation and Control program.
I made this glossary for students and beginners who have learned English words for programming and automation.
It includes 15 key terms frequently found in lecture notes, technical papers and actual projects.
For every word there is also the pronunciation, part of speech, a simple definition, a French translation, and an example of usage.
I've chosen words from my coursework, lab work and trustworthy online dictionaries to help flesh this glossary as handy reference for study or later work.
3D printer
noun
Machine allowing the creation of a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many thin layers of a material in succession.
Example: The 3D printer produced a plastic prototype in two hours.
fr: imprimante 3D
actuator
noun
A device that causes a machine or other device to operate.
Example: The actuator opens the valve when the signal is received.
fr: actionneur
circuit breaker
noun
An automatic device for stopping the flow of current in an electric circuit as a safety measure.
Example: The circuit breaker tripped during the power surge.
fr: disjoncteur
control panel
noun
A flat, often vertical, area where control, or monitoring instruments are displayed, or it is an enclosed unit that is the part of a system that users can access.
Example: Press the green button on the control panel to start the machine.
fr: panneau de contrôle
conveyor belt
noun
A continuous moving band of fabric, rubber, or metal used for moving objects from one place to another.
Example: Boxes travel along the conveyor belt to the packing area.
fr: convoyeur
electric motor
noun
A machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy, typically rotational, by utilizing the principles of electromagnetism.
Example: The conveyor belt is driven by an electric motor.
fr: moteur électrique
electrical wiring
noun
The system of wires that carries electricity within a device or building
Example: The technician checked the electrical wiring for damage.
fr: câblage électrique
industrial robot
noun
An automatically controlled, reprogrammable, multipurpose manipulator designed to perform tasks in industrial settings, such as manufacturing, by operating with three or more programmed axes of motion.
Example: An industrial robot assembles parts on the production line.
fr: robot industriel
light sensor
noun
A device that measures the amount of light in the environment.
Example: A light sensor turns the street lamps on at night.
fr: capteur de lumière
microcontroller
noun
A small computer on a single integrated circuit.
Example: We programmed the microcontroller to turn on the lights.
fr: microcontrôleur
printed circuit board (PCB)
noun
A rigid, non-conductive board, often made of fiberglass, that provides mechanical support for electronic components and has copper pathways (traces) that electrically connects these components together to form a functional circuit.
Example: The technician replaced a damaged PCB inside the device
fr: carte de circuit imprimé
relay
noun
An electrical device, typically incorporating an electromagnet, which is activated by a current or signal in one circuit to open or close another circuit.
Example: A relay protects the circuit from overload.
fr: relais
robotic arm
noun
A robotic arm is a type of mechanical arm, usually programmable, with similar functions to a human arm
Example: The robotic arm places products into boxes.
fr: bras robotique
sensor
noun
A device which detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it.
Example: The robot uses a sensor to detect obstacles
fr: capteur
touchscreen HMI (Human-Machine Interface) screen
noun
A user interface, often a touch screen, that allows a person to monitor and control industrial machinery and processes.
Example: Operators use the touchscreen HMI to adjust machine settings.
