How Far Has Machining Technology Come in the Last 30 Years?

Automation ⯀  

Human beings have been worrying about their own impending uselessness ever since machines began to handle any repetitive tasks. Some people believe that the human race has nothing to worry about, and they are probably right. Others, however, disagree. The unease about the technology that might replace human labor is real.

New Opportunities

Machines, if used correctly, have the potential to increase efficiency which will ultimately lead to growth. With growth comes an opportunity regarding new industries and jobs. Instead of worrying about how the growth of machine technology is taking our jobs, we should embrace the technology and learn how to get the best out of it. Using machining technology to our advantage is a wave of the future, and fighting it will not help. If we use new technology as an opportunity to adapt to changes, we will have truly evolved.

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The Evolution of Machine Technology

There is only one factor that has proven to be constant in the manufacturing industry – change. The world of machining technology has seen some massive changes in the last couple of decades. It’s something we can’t resist and what manufacturers should do is embrace it. Use the change to increase efficiency and speed in processes and changes within the industry. The changes haven’t been as dramatic as you’d expect, given the changes we have seen in other forms of technology. Some companies, like ETNA Products Inc., know that friction is still a problem. You still need to use some kind of fluid or cutting oil when machining or your drill bit will grind to a halt. However, the quality of lubricants in the market has improved greatly, and friction isn’t quite as big of a problem as it used to be.

Automation and Industrial IoT

There has always been automation in the manufacturing industry. Otherwise, the industry wouldn’t be able to keep up with demand. The last three decades, however, have seen significant growth in machining automation technologies. This technology has become more commonplace, and as a result, the price of automating manufacturing processes has decreased exponentially. Businesses that previously couldn’t afford this type of manufacturing automation now can.

Automation Increases Productivity

Productivity and efficiency have increased among American manufacturers, all due to the ability to double up on automation. Industrial IoT (Internet of Things) is one of the most recent technologies that is showing a lot of promise in machining technology. The idea of a series of interconnected machinery on the production floor, controlled with an internet connection as a single central governing device is hard to ignore. It’s very intriguing, especially for those that have been in the industry for years and have been able to see the changes as they have unfolded.

New, updated machining technology leads to extra productivity. Machines can work from 9-5 without getting distracted, bored, or tired. The evolution of machine technology over the past 30 years has delivered a level of precision, consistency, and efficiency that human beings just can’t match. Instead of fearing for our jobs, let’s embrace machine technology and focus on the increasing opportunities.

By  Rachelle Wilber	Embed