This belief is not true, according to applications engineers at Makino, a global provider of advanced machining technology. They say the automation of manufacturing processes, including the robotic and conveyor integration of manufacturing work cells, can actually drive the parts production or die and mold manufacturing costs down while maintaining or enhancing quality. Makino has documented such manufacturing examples through customer contacts and interviews.

The low per-unit-part cost creates domestically manufactured goods competitive with the production of goods with foreign labor wages which such technologically advanced processes worth investing.

Also, the local customer service and the shorter lead time aspects of U.S. and North American manufacturing aides in this competitive formula, making the company more valuable to its customers. Making these technological upgrades will also save U.S. and North American jobs.

One major concern of many manufacturers in making investments with automation technology was the fear of losing more jobs to machinery instead of foreign competitors.

However, as a number of manufacturing case studies prove, such a technological investment actually helps save and maintain jobs. Hiring also continues to grow at a significant annual rate to keep up with increasing work volume.

Even one case study has proven that the cycle times and lead time of the production processes has improved greatly because of the automation

Some high-volume production parts that were previously manufactured at a rate of two per hour are now being manufactured at a rate of 126 per hour. And, some processes that used to take 12 weeks can now be completed in six.