At FABTECH, Travelers IndustryEdge Managers Erika Melander and Brittani Austin spoke with manufacturers who repeatedly cited the challenge of finding skilled workers.

1. Five Developments to Watch in 2019
FABTECH TRENDS
Metals Manufacturing:
Responding to a Changing Workforce

2. At FABTECH, Travelers IndustryEdge Managers
Erika Melander and Brittani Austin spoke with
manufacturers who repeatedly cited the
challenge of finding skilled workers.
The manufacturing industry is answering this
shortage with robotic automation, connected
manufacturing, more flexible production
processes, and by proactively seeking to attract
and recruit the millennial generation.
Here are five ways manufacturers are
responding to a changing workforce.
A Changing Workforce
FABTECH 2018

3. Collaborative
Robots

4. 01: Collaborative Robots
Collaborative robots use sensors to reduce speed when human workers are close by.
They can save space because they don’t have the safety fencing requirements of traditional
robots and they can free up workers to perform more complex tasks. In addition, delegating
dangerous jobs to robots can help reduce the risk of injuries.

5. Integrated
Robotic
Automation

6. 02: Integrated robotic automation
Combining multiple tasks in a single robotic cell, such as the bending robot, press brake and
automatic tool changer shown here, allows for more flexible automation. Robots are now able to
handle a more versatile range of parts, and use custom vision to identify components, reducing
the need for manual work.

7. Offline
Programming
(OLP)

8. 03: Offline Programming (OLP)
With offline programming, engineers can save time by programming at their desks, rather
than on the factory floor. This adaptive arc welder uses 3D and CAD part and tooling data
to generate robot welding paths. Workers can change programs without interrupting
productivity, for less downtime.

9. Connected
Machines

10. 04: Connected machines
Connected machines share data, informing predictive maintenance, continuous improvement
and operational efficiency, so manufacturers can optimize throughput, reduce cycle times and
improve productivity.

11. Attracting
Millennials

12. 05: Attracting millennials
The smart factory of the future will still require employees. But it’s a different kind of
workforce that manufacturers must attract today. High-tech work involving machine
learning and AI can appeal to tech-savvy millennials.

13. The replacement costs of critical equipment can
actually increase over time.
As equipment grows “smarter” and more mission critical, it can bring a
business’s operations to a halt if it goes offline. A formal business
continuity plan that includes an analysis of the true cost to replace key
equipment and an insurance program to cover equipment to value can
help.
With deep knowledge of metals manufacturing, Travelers can help
make sure your business is covered for your unique risks.
To learn more, contact your Travelers representative.
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