MANAGING AUTOMATION INTELLIGENCE
As automation
continues to enter into manufacturing plants, on both the operation and
machining sides, it is important to understand how education will impact the
workforce. A shortage of critical skilled labour is not new to the
manufacturing industry. What is new however, is the continuing advancement of
manufacturing technology. This development causes a need for training and
education of the current workforce, to strengthen their skills for new types of
tasks in automation intelligence. As companies are developing more automated
technologies, they must find ways of managing automation intelligence. They
must also find ways to translate the current skills of their machinists and
labours to deal with the new technology.
WORKFORCE AND CHANGES
People have always
been the key element in production for thousands of years, and tools are there
to make their jobs easier. There are challenges when trying to find the right
staff for the wide variety of positions in manufacturing. Companies are seeking
to understand how to support their staff to help narrow the gap between the
current workers and the technological needs in an ever more competitive market.
Change and
improvements are nothing new to manufacturing, when simply observing the
changes in the last 5, 15, and 25 years we see an ever changing world.
From the onset of faster manufacturing, with the Model T Ford’s assembly line
to the automated CNC lines of today. Information technology, specifically
related to quality tracking, has become a huge component of manufacturing.
Reduced waste is a goal manufacturing plants strive for by having minimal
variation during production, and to be able to accurately and quickly measure
production output.
CONTINUING
INDUSTRY ADVANCEMENTS
While manufacturing
methods have changed, the primary tasks for manufacturing have not. The need
for engineering, design, production, inspection and sales will always be key
activities in the delivery of products. Engineering drawings have gone from
paper to 3D models, a lathe and mill have become multi axis CNC machines,
multi-spindle mills allow an operator to fully machine a part without removing
it from the die. The human element remains a staple in all of these operations.
For example, as the technology continues to evolve, a machinist will become a
programmer, needing to understand the proper way to interface with the machines
in order to efficiently produce the parts. It will be increasingly important to
train and hire staff with both technical and mechanical skill sets.
As we look ahead there
will be an ever increasing degree of integration with technology and
manufacturing on all levels within a company. As machines become more
connected, information will be gathered and analyzed to try to remove
inefficiencies. From reducing idle time to measuring the exact wear on tooling,
this increased connectivity will assist with preventative maintenance by
predicting and measuring the life cycles of tools. As I.T. and automation
continue to enter manufacturing operations, the educational segment of training
will have a greater impact on the workforce. The need for a continuous stream
of people to enter the advanced manufacturing workforce will not decrease.
While it seems that manufacturing lists very low as a career choice for today’s
youth, continuing to drive the awareness of this type of career path will be
key. Getting new staff who have a desire to understand the need for automation
intelligence will be paramount. By showing new students the great rewards and
pride for creating something and by offering real-world experiences through
youth internships, these will play a large role in continuing to build a steady
strong workforce.
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Mail:learnerspointinfo@gmail.com
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