FEATURE
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS A human process By Grace Tatigian
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n the last five to seven years, we have seen a considerable increase in robotic solutions in commercial woodworking. From CNC machines to fully automated panel process lines, these devices are playing a pivotal role in the production of pretty much every household wood item and beyond.
“Everyone wants to talk about robots; everyone wants a robot,” says Tommy Gagnon, CEO of AutomaTech Robotik. “But it might not be the right thing for the company; they might not be ready yet.” It seems strange for a robotics company to discourage people from buying 16 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
his products, but what he really wants is for his customers to do their research and invest in the right tools for their business. If a shop doesn’t even have a CNC yet, for example, then they’re not ready for the level of technology that AutomaTech Robotik supplies. He doesn’t want business owners to start
on the wrong foot and lose their taste for automation; it has so much potential. Gagnon mentioned that he’s even hesitant to refer to this kind of machinery as equipment yet. “I would say it’s more of a project,” he explains. “There is so much to learn, maintain, and update as the technology
