![]() When asked about her advice for anyone considering robotics, Laurie says: I can competitively bid on projects that were previously unavailable to us due to costs, timing, and labour issues.” – Laurie Wells ![]() We are now able to serve a wider range of situations. This isn’t ending his career, it’s extending it.” – Laurie Wellsģ) Ability to be more competitive in the market Now he finishes pieces that come off the robot in a day instead of taking 4-5 days to complete the physically demanding and destructive work. He was in his mid 40’s, and he was thinking that he was going to lose his career because he couldn’t physically do the work. “A worker had been suffering from white finger (a condition that results from the vibration of an air hammer that cuts off the circulation to the fingers), carpal tunnel issues in his wrist, tendonitis in his elbow, and pain in his shoulder. The robot is not only helping build careers, but furthering careers, because they are getting those critical skills at the beginning that will help them later in their career.” – Laurie WellsĢ) Providing a safer, less intensive working environment When more of them share in that experience, it’s good for morale and they’re more positive. They’re thrilled that they get to have that kind of work in a shop. “I’m able to offer that learning experience to more apprentices because it is less complicated and dangerous. Not only is there time savings, but also other benefits as well:ġ) Ability to invest in more skilled labour, as it is much easier to find apprentices or carvers than it is sculptors. Knowing exactly how many days it took for a skilled carver to make one, it was discovered that it took roughly one third of the time to mill, and hand finish the pieces utilizing their new technology. What used to take days now takes hours. Recently, Old World Stone completed a project utilizing the KUKA programmed with OCTOPUZ and Mastercam which they carved the same pieces for 18 years ago by hand. Now we can offer the real thing at a better price than our competitors, instead of using cheaper materials like precast concrete.” To be able to offer this product in North America and continue this craft dated back over a thousand years, we had to find a better way, a faster way of producing our art. Our craft is very traditional, but it is being reproduced in other parts of the world for cheaper. Laurie Wells, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing for Old World Stone says: This robot is programmed to carve stone and other materials using different milling head bits to sculpt the detail. ![]() ![]() Old World Stone recently made the leap of faith into technology of the future, investing in OCTOPUZ, Mastercam, and a KUKA robot (KUKA 120-R27000 Extra HA Quantic Robot with 4C Controller). The result is a one-of-a-kind expression of stone design, created affordably. All of the dimensional work is done on-premises, which assures quality control and timely delivery. At Old World Stone, they combine the traditional craft of cut stone in the hands of European trained stonecutters and carvers, with state-of-the-art technology using computerized drawings, cutting and carving equipment. From humble beginnings, they have grown to become one of North America’s premier suppliers of dimensional cut sandstone, limestone, and marble. Burlington, ON - based Old World Stone, has been providing cut stone for over 30 years. ![]()
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