CNC Manufacturing Accommodations

Image of a man working at a computer numeric controlled workstation.

Project Team

Project Director: Scott Haynes
Co-investigator: Bryan Black
Previous Research Assistants: Puneet Taneja, Sandra Shackelford, Edo Eussen, Xiaoyi Ye

Summary / Outcome Goals

Manufacturing occupations pose some of the greatest access challenges to people with disabilities, including people who return to work following an injury or people who lose function through the natural aging process. Fortunately, the use of automated equipment can help to reduce the functional requirements for some manufacturing operations. The goal of this project is to (1) investigate methods to adapt computer numeric controlled (CNC) machinery in a manufacturing environment, to accommodate the needs of workers with disabilities and (2) to develop a design guide to help manufacturers with the implementation of appropriate accommodations for their workers with disabilities. The RERC is open to receiving any information relating to accommodations for people with disabilities in a manufacturing or production environment.

Progress to Date

• Researched current state of automated equipment in manufacturing and the impact such technology has had on the manufacturing industry. Particular attention was paid to the changes in the functional requirements for the machine operator and changes in employer perspectives relating to the level of importance placed on the human-machine interface.
• Researched potential facilitators and barriers to employment of people with disabilities in a manufacturing environment resulting from current safety regulations. Investigated OSHA standards, letters of interpretation, and Federal court cases pertaining to employees with disabilities in manufacturing.
• Reviewed assessment methods commonly used in manufacturing to help quantify accessibility facilitators and barriers in manufacturing environments.
• Identified and visited existing manufacturing facilities that operate CNC (computer numeric controlled) machine centers and who employ a significant number of people with disabilities. One such facility employs several people who are visually impaired as CNC machine operators.
• Reviewing typical CNC machine shapes found in industry and investigated the barriers these shapes may pose to equipment access by wheelchair users.
• Developed an interactive design guideline to categorize accommodation strategies relating to manufacturing or production operations. Additional accommodation solutions are required before the guideline is released.

Key Findings

• The use of automated manufacturing technology (AMT) is increasing internationally and is recognized as a means to improve productivity, increase product quality, and improve flexibility in production. Other manufacturing strategies such as just-in-time (JIT) or Lean manufacturing provide incentive for manufacturers to make use of the increased level of control gained from the use of AMT.
• Consideration of the human-computer interaction is key to the successful implementation of AMT in a manufacturing environment.
• Effective communication is important in the machine training process to ensure safe operation. There is a recognized need to simplify terminology used in AMT to accommodate the international use of the equipment and differences in perceived meaning of the same symbols.
• The Occupational Safety and Health act of 1970 states that the responsibility for a safe work environment ultimately rests with the employer. This may prove to be a barrier in hiring people with disabilities into a manufacturing facility. The results of this research were published in Journal of Rehabilitation, 73(1), 38-46 (see below).
• There are currently several facilities associated with NISH and the National Industries for the Blind ( NIB) that operate CNC production equipment, wherein workers with disabilities make up at least 70% of the direct labor force.
• CNC machine centers accommodated for people with visual impairments use a combination of adaptations such as; flat screen monitors (for improved clarity and contrast), screen magnification software, low vision key guards, and voice output software. Key to the addition of these components is having a CNC machine with open architecture.
• Accommodations viewed in manufacturing facilities that hire people with disabilities include those related to machine access, tool access, navigation/access in the manufacturing environment, and communication related to work assignments and safety policy. Results of this research are published in the RESNA 30th Annual International Conference Proceedings (see below).
• Voice output devices were developed by the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind and are currently available on the market through Mitutoyo tool manufacturer. These devices (called Voiceman) are designed for use with off-the-shelf digital calipers and micrometers as well as any machine using Mitutoyo's SPC output line of products.

Selected Publications / Presentations

• Haynes, S., Black, B., & Shackelford, S. (2007). “Safety Regulations and the Employment of People with Disabilities in Automated Manufacturing Environments.” Journal of Rehabilitation, 73(1), 38-46.
• Haynes, S., & Endicott, S. (2007, June, 17th). “Accommodations for Employees with Sensory Impairments in Automated Manufacturing.” Paper presented at the RESNA 30th Annual International Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
• Haynes, S., (2006, March) "Safety Regulations as Potential Barriers to Employment in a Manufacturing Environment." Paper presented at the California State University Northridge (CSUN) conference.
• Shackelford, S. and Haynes, S. (2005, June) "Resources to Address Questions Regarding Safety Regulations and the Employment of People with Disabilities in Manufacturing Environments." Paper presented at the RESNA Conference, Atlanta , GA.
• Haynes, S., (2005, May) "Can CNC machines be used to accommodate people with disabilities?" Conference Proceedings for the Institute of Industrial Engineers Annual Conference in Atlanta , GA.
• Black, B., & Haynes, S. (2004, June 20). "Safety Issues In The Manufacturing Environment For People With Disabilities." Paper presented at the RESNA 27th International Conference, Orlando , FL.
• Haynes, S., & Butterfield, T. (2004, June 20). "A Study of Advanced Manufacturing Technology as a Workplace Accommodation in a Manufacturing Environment." Paper presented at the RESNA 27th International Conference, Orlando , FL.
• Taneja, P., & Haynes, S. (2004, June 20). "Development of an Assessment Methodology for Identifying Accessibility Issues for People with Disabilities in a Manufacturing Environment." Paper presented at the RESNA 27th International Conference, Orlando , FL.