b'\x1b\x1a\x19 \x1f\x18\x1d\x17\x16Robotics ResultsAUTOMATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONBy Craig ZoberisL ike much of the world, the U.S. economy has struggled for more than a year. The pandemic signifi-cantly impacted many industries, and the gross domestic product decreased 3.5% last yearthe biggest drop since 1946. On top of that, the skills gap in the manufac-turing industry is increasing due to retiring baby boomers and a low rate of young, skilled workers join-ing the workforce.The industry will have to evolve, and CNC automation can play a vital role in the process.For several years, there has been increased talk ofreshoring, or bring-ing back production from low-wage countries.Reshoring can reduce dramatically the risks that com-panies face in the event of a pan-demic.Although the idea of re-turning production to the United States sounds promising, the grow-ing skills gap poses a big challenge to the feasibility. Equipment make: RoboJob NV CNC machine model year: 2012MyexperiencerunningajobEquipment model: Turn-Assist 200i Shifts per day: oneshop for turning and milling workCNC machine make: Haas Automation Inc. Shifts per week: fiveprovides a good perspective. Any- CNC machine model: ST-20SS Productivity increase: 43%one who has walked into a typi-cal machine shop knows that the average age of staff members isyoung people are studying techni- where hard physical labor is part of often over 50. Younger workerscal courses. Manypeople also viewthe daily routine. Reality, however, are difficult to come by as fewershops asdull, dark environmentsis far from that perception.Todays about the authorctemag.comCraig Zoberis is founder and presidentTo view a video of this robotic of Fusion OEM/RoboJob-USA in Burrautomation at www.ctemag.Ridge, Illinois. For more informationcom, scan the QR code with your about CNC automation and integrationsmartphone or enter this URL on services, contact info@fusion-robojob. your web browser: cteplus.delivr.com or visitwww.robojob-usa.com. com/2zybn12AUGUST 2021 RoboticResults.indd 12 7/19/21 10:52 AM'