Automation also makes for better, more uniform quality. Dimensional quality is more uniform with automation because it depends on repetition, and repetition is something a man does not do well. Setting dimensions accurately demands a man's full attention, both mentally and physically. This is tiring, and the momentary inattention's which occur are wasteful in variations of thickness, width or length. Again, a machine which is steel and copper and electricity and compressed air, cannot be lulled by repetition.
Automation permits dimensional quality control.
If a machine is setting too thick, it can be adjusted. Automation eliminates the need for the unskilled type of laborer who merely handle logs or pieces. By replacing these unskilled men with machinery, we limit the type of men employed in the operation to highly skilled, high quality men. Factors to be considered in the automation of existing sawmills While the simplest method of sawmill automation would appear to be to scrap existing sawmills and start anew, it is obviously impractical to do this. To shut down and rebuild a sawmill for complete automation operation is usually prohibitive in terms of both time and money.