Information Verses Labor
Information Verses LaborI always have to toot the horn for information verses skilled labor. Coming
from a fairly leftist working class person, it may seem a bit odd, but we have to
roll with the times. Besides, the same types of people that would be the top dogs in
the old union version of production should have the approximate brain capacity
needed to implement the theory I am about to lay upon you.
In my line of work, ornamental metals fabrication, there are some pretty
weird shapes that need to be manufactured. Once they are designed, there are
usually some shop drawings made, and after approval of the fabrication concept
and finish dimensions by the architect or designer, the drawings are given to a
master craftsman to turn the concept into reality. One of the drawbacks to this
process is that some of the shapes drawn need to be laid out in flat-pattern form
before they can be made. The math that is required to perform this (or the
old-school tricks) is done by the high-priced journeymen. Even the simpler parts
still need to be laid out, and this is done by other semi-skilled and relatively
high-priced workers.
With the invention and subsequent improvements in computer aided design
(of which AutoCAD is the most popular brand), the interpretation stage can be
performed on the same desk top and by the same person that does the original
drafting. The savings in cost are tremendous for several reasons. First and most
obvious is the ability to have lower...
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