Automation and Robots in The Manufacturing Sector with Tyler and Colby Stilson

TL;DR

Automation helps Operos Manufacturing close productivity and skills gaps by making workers more efficient and supporting higher-skilled, better-paying jobs rather than simply displacing people. Founded in 2007 as a high-mix, low-volume job shop, Operos progressed from CNC machines toward industrial robots and is considering collaborative robots. Read on to understand its automation journey, integration challenges, and reasons for exploring cobots.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 🛍️ Automation in job shops like Operos Manufacturing improves productivity and makes the manufacturing industry more competitive.
• 🥺 The integration of automation does not lead to job displacement but rather the creation of higher-skilled, better-paying jobs.
• 🤖 Collaborative robots (cobots) have the potential to revolutionize job shops by providing faster deployment, flexibility, and improved safety for human-robot collaboration.
• 🔠 Capital intensity and finding the right human capital are key hurdles in fully embracing automation in the manufacturing industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does automation affect productivity and jobs at Operos Manufacturing?

Automation increases productivity by making workers and manufacturing processes more efficient and competitive. At Operos, it helps address shortages of skilled labor while creating demand for higher-skilled, better-paying work managing and programming automated systems.

Q: What does Operos Manufacturing do?

Operos Manufacturing operates as a job shop focused on high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. Tyler Stilson started the company in 2007 with a business plan that included working toward automation.

Q: Why did Operos Manufacturing pursue automation?

Operos had difficulty finding skilled labor because many people nearby pursued four-year degrees and careers outside manufacturing. The company viewed automation as a way to help fill both its productivity gap and its skills gap.

Q: How did automation begin in machine shops?

Machine parts were once produced on manual equipment by operators physically turning machine axes with handles. CNC machines moved that work toward computer-programmed machine tools, making people more efficient and manufacturers more competitive.

Q: Why did Operos adopt automation gradually?

Operos took time to make its first move because automation cost substantially more than a standard CNC machine tool. The company therefore implemented it incrementally and continued iterating toward greater automation.

Q: What robotics technology has Operos Manufacturing adopted or considered?

Operos has invested in industrial robots after beginning its automation journey with CNC machines. It is also considering collaborative robots, commonly called cobots, for its operations.

Q: What benefits could cobots provide in a job shop?

Cobots can offer faster deployment, quicker programming, and flexibility for small batches or frequent changeovers. They can also work safely alongside people, making them relevant to high-mix, low-volume production.

Q: What challenges come with integrating robotics and automation?

The major hurdles include capital intensity, finding suitable human talent, and the learning curve for operators. Integration can also require third-party integrators and application engineers to program robots and connect them with existing machines.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Operos Manufacturing is a job shop that specializes in high mix, low volume manufacturing. They recognized the potential of automation in the late 90s and have slowly integrated automation into their operations.

• Automation in their shop began with the adoption of CNC machines, which made the manufacturing process more efficient and competitive.

• The company has since invested in industrial robots and is now considering incorporating collaborative robots (cobots) into their operations.