b'Ask for Multitask school machining. This endeavorin multitask machines for all the rea-will be for enjoyment, not profit. sons mentioned here.However, were I to start a shopOld-school machining is fading information on a screen and lettoday intent on generating profit,away and being replaced by mod-the electronics do the rest. Anda multitask machine likely wouldern advancements like multitask newer technologies like multitaskbe one of my first purchases. It justmachines because of practicality. If machines are going to help whenmakes sense in todays market. Ithe technology had been available we are trying to convince talentedoften am solicited for advice aboutdecades earlier, it would have been young people to start a trade. machining and machine tools, and Iadopted then just as quickly as it ai169201942215_CTE-SEPT 2023-CGTech.pdf 1 8/14/2023 6:23:46 AMProgramming these machines isquickly advise most shops to investhas been adopted today.CTEcomplex. Although the controls are advanced and most include onboard features to simplify the process, suc-cess still can be a daunting task. Plus, the time spent programming typi-cally interferes with production. For these reasons, multitask machines frequently are programmed using offline computer-aided manufac-turing software packages that have phenomenal graphical interfaces.Nice CAM packages, coupled with advanced multitask machines, are another way to lure young talent to the craft. Even old-school guys like me stare in awe at trade shows watching simulated machining op-erations on a screen. Plunk a shaft with keyways, cross holes, hobbed Cgear teeth and engraving in front of Ma mechanically minded young per-Yson, then tell him or her that it can CMbe made with a computer and a MYmultitask machine, and selling the craft will be much easier. CYOne day, I will retire, and I plan CMYto have a small shop. It will have a Kknee mill, a lathe, a surface grinder and other manual machines. I wont have any CNC machines and cer-tainly wont own a multitask ma-chine. I do not want CNC machines because I prefer to continue honing my craft and enjoying the art of old-about the author Christopher Tate is manufacturing engineering man-ager at Unified Brands Inc. in Vicksburg, Mis-sissippi. Contact him at [email protected]/cteguide.com45Multitask.indd 45 8/15/23 2:28 PM'