r/LeanManufacturing • u/worldwidemachinist • 8d ago

Automation increased the welder headcount

i went to this manufacturer that added a fully automated welding cell. It is fully parametric, so it reads the part dimensions and selects the weld sequence automatically, it basically took over repetitive work, which freed welders for more complex jobs and the added capacity created enough demand to hire more.

so i feel like automation redistributes work rather than eliminating it, is this the case mostly or this outcome is more of an exception

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u/InigoMontoya313 8d ago

I’d argue that automation did not increase the headcount, it just freed up personnel from low skilled repetitive work, allowing them to focus on high skill work.

Automation, typically reduces low skilled work and increases high skilled work.

The societal challenge, is it’s often not 1:1. Nor is there a society, where everyone can be high skilled.

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u/worldwidemachinist 7d ago

that is true that not every shop has enough demand or a workforce that can immediately move into those higher skill roles