However, I was concerned by his omissions. While it's easy to get caught up in the glamour of technology it is important to remember the basics. A CNC machine as it churns out parts is a wonder to behold. However, if the drills, taps or end mills in the CNC machine are dull or improperly sharpened, the machine's output shifts from awesome to awful. In the interest of disclosure, I'll mention that at Darex, our shop floor is laden with the latest in high-tech industrial equipment.
Machines now make parts faster than ever before.
Unfortunately, machines also now make bad parts faster than ever before. The CNC machine has removed the operator several steps from the cutting action. In the past, the operator of a drill press controlled the drill's thrust into the work manually. As the hand cranks were turned, vital information, such as the drill resistance was telegraphed through the operator's arm. The operator knew when the drill needed re-sharpening by sense of touch.