Every jewellery manufacturer faces this decision: continue with proven manual setting, or invest in automation? This guide provides a data-driven framework for making that decision.
Speed: The Clearest Advantage
Manual setting: 800–1,200 stones/hour (expert setter). Semsons Tech machine: 9,000–12,000 stones/hour. The gap is 8–15×, and it doesn't narrow with fatigue, shift changes, or Monday mornings.
Accuracy: Close but Different
Experienced human setters achieve approximately ±0.05–0.1mm accuracy in ideal conditions. The Semsons Tech machine achieves ±0.02mm consistently, across every drill, every hour, indefinitely. The machine is more accurate and more consistent.
When Manual Setting Still Makes Sense
There remain cases where manual setting is appropriate: very low volume unique custom pieces, stones larger than 3mm where manual bezel/claw setting is used, artistic one-off pieces where human interpretation is part of the value. For everything else — production volumes, pavé, micro-pavé, and anything above 10 pieces/day — automation provides a compelling advantage.