The Use of Commercially Available Automation Equipment

As Chairman of the first session: "MANAGEMENT, HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND IMPLEMENT AUTOMATION," the author points out that the session not only focuses upon a subject that all recognize as of primary interest to many facets of the electronics business; but that it also draws a precision bead on the strengths and weaknesses of our progress to date, and upon the problems that comfort us in the further development of our automation programs. The author outlines Emerson's operating policy to buy, not build, automation equipment. The program of expediting and "applying needles" is described. Six important advantages of buying equipment are discussed at some length: (1) recourse of exchange, return, or correction, (2) benefit of professional consulting services, (3) access to professional specialists of comoetitors, (4) art learned faster because competition puts its best foot forward to sell, (5) objectivity avoids too much mechanization, and (6) best design may be chosen, section by section.