Automated
machine tools: change from analog to digital typically seen as purely technical
advance
Automating
machine tools requires extremely high precision since they are producing
custom-made parts.
·1946-1947
GE (Schenectady) invents analog record/playback: machine records the machinist’s
movements and reproduces them.
·Digital
(“numerically controlled” or NC) machine tools: mathematical model of the
shape converted into cutting tool commands.
1949-1959:
US air force & MIT attempt NCautomated
machine tools: assumption that software is trivial due to ignorance of
tacit knowledge skills of the workers.
Poor
performance, not cost-effective (military spent $62 million in development
alone), too expensive for small private firms. Why use it?
1946:GE
suffers largest strike in its history over replacement of machinists by
less-skilled workers (esp women during WWII). Analog seen as defective
by management because machinists still required to record.
NC
technology offered as a “management system”
·divorce
control of production from shop floor (anti-union)
·1950’s
anti-communism, establishment of a programming elite.
Eventually
inefficient production of NC results in digital record/playback. NC machines
still do not “run themselves.”
Introduction
ofCNC technology in Norway:
·worker’s
rights laws required collaboration with union when introducing new tech
·all
operators also trained as programmers
·programmers
trained to collaborate with operators so adjustments can be made.