The fundamental goal of automation is to reduce reliance on manpower. Whether for traditional manufacturing or additive manufacturing, it is important to understand the capabilities of supporting post-process manufacturing and metrology for validating that process.
“In order for automation to be successful, there needs to be a shift from using humans to do menial things, such as moving parts from one location to the next or clicking buttons to do things, but we can’t do that without thinking about fundamental checks and balances that are in place from experienced people,” said Skulan. “So, generally, when you are looking at automation and smart manufacturing, industry 4.0, all these kinds of buzzwords that are out there, companies can consider that a robot will lift something and move it from machine A to machine B, and it will move it very efficiently, but what is omitted is an experienced operator.