Can’t Find Qualified Workers for Machine Tending?

With record unemployment, it is tough to find qualified workers to fill many jobs. This includes material tending for CNC operations. So, manufacturers are left in a crunch. Do they pay higher wages to retain qualified, reliable workers? Or do they keep wages constant, but put up with decreased productivity and efficiency?

How about a third option: automation. The automation revolution has been a game changer for American manufacturing. Thanks to Machine Tending, automation is here for CNC material tending. Not only does machine tending help control labor costs, it improves consistency and productivity.

It’s Tough To Find Machine Tenders These Days

At the prevailing wage for machine tending operators, finding high-quality workers is a challenge. Low unemployment has bumped up wages for low-skilled workers. This means more productive workers can find better-paying opportunities. But what’s left is, said nicely, not the best of the bunch.

Your potential labor pool is filled with workers who leave a bit to be desired. Many of them fail to show up for work on time. The constant turnover of machine-tending staff adds additional overhead costs to your operations. Their decreased productivity and reliability are other hidden costs.

This is what makes Machine Tending a viable option when there’s a labor crunch. Machine Tending takes the unpredictable human element out of your machining operations. Instead of having a human operator feeding materials into CNCs, a machine-tending device feeds the materials in automatically. A machine never slacks off. It doesn’t get distracted, or call in sick. And, you don’t have to worry about drug testing your Machine Tending device!

Benefits Beyond Labor Costs

The benefits of Machine Tending go beyond labor costs and productivity. Automating materials tending improves efficiency. As we mentioned above, Machine Tending devices do not get distracted or slack off. Day in and day out, they deliver consistent results. Machine Tending devices also allow for continuous operations. No shift changes or breaks. You could operate a CNC 24/7 thanks to Machine Tending.

If you’re concerned about the investment cost of Machine Tending, don't be! Unlike other forms of automation, Machine Tending has a high ROI. Machine Tending devices can pay for themselves within months, instead of the years typical with other forms of automation. While the manual method may still be economically viable for other parts of your operations, automating materials tending can be a no-brainer.

Glide-Line Can Help You Choose The Right Machine Tending Solution

Glide-Line is proud to offer Machine Tending devices for the CNC materials tending market. With our expertise in developing customized solutions, we can help design a system that integrates well with your existing operations.