Description

This paper discusses the automation of the production of wire from the standpoint of ‘ghost shifts’ which reduce personnel costs through automated operations. Examples are provided of plants which justified automated shifts through profitability achieved through other savings in individual production steps beyond basic personnel savings (rentability analysis itself is often unsatisfactory because it usually compares cost savings only with reduced personnel costs). Recommended factors to be considered when evaluating automation, a comparison of times for optimum automated vs. non-automated equipment in wire rod plant operation.