Here’s the first piece from the newest contributor at Motor City Garage, Otto Hesla. Consider it an introduction to his special skills and his compelling take on the world of machines. 

The piece arose from a thought that occurred to MCG while trading story pitches: When Otto looks at a video like the one below (gearhead porn—the notorious Matsuura clip showing a V8 block machined from a single billet of aluminum) he probably sees something very different from what we see. After all, CNC setup and operation are among his areas of expertise. (For more on Otto’s background, see the contributors page.) But as it turns out, Otto’s got his eye on the big, big picture—what CNC machining really means to the automotive world. The video and his reflections on it follow below. -mcg  

On CNC 

by Otto Hesla

I’ve always been fascinated by the tools of fabrication.  From simple gas welding torches and hand grinders to multi-axis machining centers, they’ve stood as representatives of creativity and individuality.  It may seem a funny thing to say that a numerically-controlled machine that is arguably at its most efficient when it is duplicating high volumes of identical product represents anything unique—yet it does.

Stubbornly cash-efficient, or long on time and short on excess money if you prefer, I’d look at the creations flowing out from under the tools in the hands of craftsmen and be enthralled at the possibilities they represent.  If I could get my hands on those tools I’d think: I could build anything.  No wonder billet became the new buzzword.  You could make anything from a large enough piece of raw material.

This little video epitomizes that idea.  It’s more than just a demonstration of the sophisticated hardware and software that allows the machine to dance in full 5-axis motion while maintaining perfect tool contact.  It’s more than an example of the machine’s abilities.  It is a representation of just how far we’ve come in the one-off world.  No mold making, no casting or forging, no patterns, no sand.  You want a V8 block with your own special deck height, bore spacing, V-angle, stud pattern and whatever else?  We can do that.  If you can dream it, you can get it, and you don’t need to be a Rockefeller anymore.