Finding and training skilled operators continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing stamping manufacturers today. As more experienced workers retire, and younger generations enter the workforce with different expectations, manufacturers are having to rethink how they approach training—especially for essential operations like coil processing.
In an article for The Fabricator, Tom Brockie, Regional Sales Manager at COE Press Equipment, breaks down the fundamentals of coil processing and the importance of delivering training that resonates with today’s workforce.
Brockie outlines the core stages of a coil line—uncoiling, straightening, and feeding—and the equipment used at each step:
Coil reels/uncoilers load and unwind material safely.
Straighteners flatten the coil to remove internal stresses like camber and twist.
Servo roll feeds ensure precise delivery of material into the press.
Each component plays a critical role in producing high-quality parts, especially as materials like AHSS become more common.
Younger workers entering the manufacturing industry are often unfamiliar with these mechanical processes. Brockie emphasizes that training materials need to be accessible and visual—leveraging videos and modern media platforms to explain concepts clearly.
COE has embraced this shift by producing training and demo videos that simplify complex equipment operations. These resources are designed to support both new hires and experienced operators, whether in the field or during a line setup.
“A picture is worth a thousand words is especially meaningful in manufacturing,” Brockie notes in the article—especially when verbal instructions alone fall short.
Today’s advanced controls and software also help reduce the learning curve. Tools like COE’s SyncMaster™ Touch allow operators to automate setup, save job recipes, and manage the entire coil line from a single interface—giving new users confidence while speeding up onboarding.
Attribution:
Based on the article “Coil processing basics to teach today’s workforce” by Tom Brockie, originally published in The Fabricator, March 30, 2023.
