Along the way, endless data, commentaries and knee jerk reasoning has mostly complicated issue.
However, according to sheetmetal machinery specialist Maxitec, a basic
extrapolation from all the industry information suggests there is an ideal fit
between human and machine, where job losses are very minimal and businesses remain in profit.
“As soon as you put yourself in a position to start operating multiple machines with one operator you are well in front,” said Maxitec Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Andrew Bentrup.
“What automation does is eliminate manual processes to free up the operator to supervise several machines simultaneously, allows re-deployment of personnel previously spread across a series of machines and lowers insurance costs due to reduced exposure to injury scenarios.
“For management, it allows greater scope to take on more orders, keeps employees in work, and re-positions the business to base its expansion on machinery investment followed by personnel, not the other way around as has been the case for decades.”
For example, with a manual punch press, the average sheet cycle might run for about four minutes or so and requires constant attention from the operator.
But when using a fully automated machine to perform the same task, an operator doesn't even have to supervise as the machine performs the total order, guarded by safety barriers and sensors.
With non-manual machinery, a commonplace scenario would see two to four hours of continuous running and the operator can move away and perform other tasks and return at the end of the procedure to unload and load the next batch.
Therefore, the operator is free to perform other technical tasks while the machine does its work.
“We are not talking about million-dollar systems either!” said Mr Bentrup.
“Automation eliminates the unproductive and boring act of awaiting for the
machine and lifting sheets of steel over and over again.”
“Eliminating boredom in fabrication can have positive impact not just on
productivity levels but occupation health and safety as well
“Therefore, a business can move away from intensive and strenuous labour and let the machine take care of every aspect of production – even loading and unloading – so the operator only has to sort out the parts later.
“Lowering human exposure to potential injury reduces WorkCover insurances and various other costs. Machines never become ill nor do they expect superannuation contributions.
It's not about losing labour; it's more about better utilisation of labour, therefore you can comfortably move forward with one person operating several machines and free up a few other people for various technical tasks within the business.”
