I grew up as an engineer around an environment that had become heavily influenced by CnC machining, for a long time coming mind, and particularly G-code culture as i would call it. And even those who were the most skilled at it, admitted that you couldn't just know that and expect to be a competent machinist.
Knowing how to move the tools in a particular sequence isn't as ingenious as knowing how to create a jig or setup to get that same result, clearly the latter involved far more process and understanding in order to get there.
I mean, this argument isn't strictly limited to metal working, you could say it's all about where you draw a line between craftsmanship and simply being an operator for a computer program.
Also, there are plenty of occasions where you can't necessarily take a part to a machine and it must be dealt with insitue with hand tools.
I'm sure the blacksmith, the ironmonger, plate maker almost felt the same way about machines taking work away from him a few hundred of years ago now, it's come full circle and happening again with cnc.
Michael W
Edited By Michael Walters on 31/08/2016 21:41:24