Гричин С.В., Ульянова О.В. - Английский язык для инженеров сварочного производства (1044906), страница 22
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The breakdown was 72%consider the situation problematic now and for the long term, 14% did not seea shortage and the remaining 14% either see no shortage now, but expect onein the future or see a shortage for 1999, but not for the future.John Emmerson, president, Magnatech Ltd. Partnership, made a typicalcomment for those who see a far reaching problem, "There is a shortage ofskilled welders everywhere in the world, and it is only getting worse as eachyear passes. Despite the fact that welding is used in virtually every industry,it seems virtually ignored as a manufacturing science. Connecticut [the stateof location for Magnatech], for example, dropped its Vo-Tech weldingclasses in 1997. In addition, population dynamics in recent years in the U.S.,Europe and Japan indicate that the next decade will see a much smallernumber of young people entering the work force.
This, by itself, will result infewer welders."ESAB's Plotica had a similar take on the situation, "There is a shortageof skilled welders now in most major market areas, and this shortage willworsen unless substantial programs are implemented to promote welding asan attractive career choice for young people."Landon of Vermeer Manufacturing stated, "We have had a shortage for thepast five years. I see no turnaround, and we will not see a turnaround until theestablishment acknowledges welding as a viable career path. To meet ourimmediate demands, the company has developed its own welder trainingprogram. The company is also involved in proactive programs that makeinstructors at high schools and area colleges aware of welding as a viablecareer."Connell of Detroit Edison, does not see an immediate problem, as heencouragingly stated, "There is a renewed interest in the boilermaker'swelding program, bringing in a good influx of people.
I don't foresee ashortage in 1999." Another respondent took a contrary view, noting ashortage of skilled welders in 1999, but projecting a leveling of demand inthe next decade.118JJulio Villafuerte, director research and development, Tregaskiss, had aslightly different perspective. "The need for plain skill welders will decreaseslightly with the slowdown of manual welding. However, the need forwelding engineers will increase dramatically as welding automation becomesmore prominent."- Where do you see the use of welding automation heading in yourindustry?If there is any one thing to bank on for the future, it is the increased useof automation in welding operations. There was an overwhelming affirmativefrom our respondents on this point, although it was not completely universal.The perspective of those few who did not see increased use might beexpressing an influence from their particular industry.
A structural steelfabricator mentioned the difficulty in automating for weldments that do nothave a high degree of repetitiveness and variations in fitup and jointgeometry. Another individual felt automation will not replace weldingequipment for manual operations if the equipment is developed to be fast,safe and economical.But by far the majority feel the same as Magnetech's Emmerson, whostated, "We see more and more companies of all sizes automatingapplications that were being done manually. Many are exploring their firstuse of automation, and the declining number of skilled welders will continuethis trend." The lack of, or declining numbers of, skilled welders wasfrequently mentioned as reason for the growth of automation.Philip Winslow, V.P.
sales and marketing, Hypertherm, Inc., notedanother often stated reason, "Usage will increase, primarily because of theconsistency it gives to welding and cutting operations, especially with CNC(computer numerical control) and robotically controlled processes." Lincoln'sSumner was emphatic in his assessment, "Automation is the single mostimportant growth sector in the welding industry. The drive for higherproductivity and reduced costs will keep automation at the forefront." Otherreasons for the increasing use of automation included safety and the effort toremove the welder from tiring, repetitive conditions and long-term exposureto fumes.Chip Cable, president, Bug-O-Systems, isolated shipbuilding and thetrucking and railroad industries as areas that will experience growth inautomation.
A fabricator of offshore steel structures has targeted automationfor heavy tubular splices, plate girders and process piping. Small companiesand job shops are anticipated to at least try robotics and CNC equipment.- What are the strengths of the welding industry? What are itsweaknesses?119Although our respondents listed plenty of strengths and weaknesses forthe welding industry, Plotica of ESAB, perhaps best summed up the two mostcommonly held opinions. Regarding the industry's strengths, he said, "We area well-established, mature industry, with a solid track record in technologyand process advancements." And as to its weaknesses, "We are not attractingenough young people into welding careers," Plotica said.
"Welding is stillperceived by many as a crude and dirty process."While many saw the industry's maturity - the reputation of weldedcomponents for being reliable and economical, the industry's commitment toresearch and development and the dedication of its work force - as signs of itsstrength, nearly as many others saw it as a weakness. They believe theindustry is set in its ways and slow to change. According to one respondent,the industry's strength is that the people involved in it are "slow to change,with a show me attitude." On the other side of the coin, he said, "Its weaknessis that they're slow to change even after you show them." And while anumber of respondents lauded the industry's commitment to research anddevelopment, others claimed it's too esoteric and takes too long to transferfrom the academic level to the factory floor.Thomas C. Conard, president of Alexander Binzel Corp., had anothertake on the industry's weak spots.
He noted welding is not a separate industryin and of itself but instead makes up part of many other industries. Theimplication here might be that welding lacks a clear-cut image and direction.- What business improvements during the next ten years would be inyour company's best interests?As might be expected, there were nearly as many different answers tothis question as there were respondents. These ranged from broad-baseddesires, such as a wish for growth in any field that uses metallic materials, toa more narrow focus, such as wanting increased use of electronic commerceand supply chain management. Better trained workers, improvedcommunication techniques, designing for manufacturability and lessening thetime it takes to get new products to market were all mentioned as incompanies' best interests.
Several persons called for increased automation.Several respondents said a change in the government's role with regardto their operations would improve their businesses. This could occur eitherthrough less government involvement or through such things as restriction ofimports, "reasonable environmental legislation that does not drive up the costof doing business," tort reform in product liability and lower taxes."We spend a tremendous percentage of our income toward research anddevelopment," explained Emmerson of Magnatech. "The continuation of taxcredits for small company R&D would be beneficial. We note that several of120the Canadian provinces are very aggressive in nurturing technical innovationand the growth of small companies, and allow virtually all R&D expendituresto be written off against income.
I believe there would be an explosion ofnew development and company growth if any of the state governmentsundertook similar tax credit programs."- What has to be done in the future to keep the welding industry healthy?More than 50 % of the respondents believe improving the image ofwelding so top students will be drawn to the industry and bettering trainingmethods for welders and welding engineers are the keys to welding's future.We need to "totally revise the public education system in the UnitedStates to acknowledge the trades as an acceptable alternative for students,"according to Connell of Detroit Edison.
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