Its not a matter of welding taking over machining: both processes are equally important and will likely continue in parallel. But, welding skills are strongly dependant on the knowledge and coordination of the man who has learned to do it. This kind of knowledge is difficult to encapsulate into cnc welding processes. CNC has made much deeper inroads into the machining of even small quantities of parts, at low prices. This has caused a loss in the number of positions of the knowledgeable general machinist, but multiplied the number of positions of a lower skilled job class: the button pusher.
Just from an employment viewpoint, decent welding jobs seems to be able to command a better wage than a "button pusher" machine operator, which is where a lot of machinists are sort of "forced" to start.
__________________
First you get good, then you get fast. Then grouchiness sets in.
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management) |