Everyone knows when you buy that shiny new saw — or the CNC with all the bells and whistles — in order for those machines to function properly with a long lifespan, they need regular on-going maintenance. But what about the machine that matters most, the human machine? Stone fabrication is a tough business. It’s as hard on your body, as it is on your sanity. Given enough time and neglect, that all important piece of “equipment” will not perform as well as it once did, or break down all together.
The easiest way to alleviate potential bodily damage is to invest in material handling systems, which are just as important to the fabrication process as those saws and CNCs. If you are considering a new machinery purchase, it pays to do your due diligence on identifying your production issues. In many cases, the bottlenecks are better solved by improving workflow conditions than simply just adding another machine, usually at a fraction of the cost. Without proper handling systems, like cranes, vacuum lifters and installation carts, “manhandling” stone all day long not only slows production, but will have eventual detrimental effects to you and your employees, resulting in time loss, chronic pain and workers comp claims.