Man vs. Machine? Will CNC Machinery Replace the Skilled Craftsman?

When the world is talking about Metaverse, I can’t help but imagine what the event workshop of the future will look like. Will machines replace skilled craftsmen?

Recently, we invested in a new large format, double head CNC machine for Maestra’s workshop that will further increase our efficiency, allowing us to cut larger sheets at a much faster rate, in a range of different materials. A CNC (Computerised Numerical Control) device is a tool programmed to receive and execute designs from a computer, guiding the cutter, usually a router bit or laser. Like any modern workshop, our efficiency relies in part on machinery to ease our production flow.

When we were recently commissioned to build an 800 square metre pop-up restaurant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we needed to cut around 400 sheets of custom trellis work in just a few days to meet a very tight deadline. Our flatbed CNC sprang into action and ran for 70 hours straight. We only needed two operators working in rotation to get the job done. The speed and power provided by the machine allowed us to be extremely reactive and cost-effective while allowing our craftsmen to focus on the more detailed tasks at hand.

At Maestra, most of the elements we produce have never been made before. Our craftsmen, many of whom come from families with generations of experience, are artisans who have been working with wood, metals, and paints for years. They have an intimate knowledge of each material and its qualities. There is nothing like watching the excitement of our carpentry team after they get a brief for a challenging project. They huddle around a scrap of paper, discussing and sharing ideas. Suddenly, the plan emerges, and they begin cutting, shaping, and refining, creating prototypes, testing the concept. Our team loves to challenge each other– and it is amazing what they can achieve.

For our recent boutique fit-out for Ojar in Dubai Mall, we had to produce a one-of-a-kind showcase, composed of multiple integrated elements and materials, including acrylic, wood, electrical and metal work. In this case, it was far more efficient for our carpenters to work by hand with individual materials integrating them seamlessly resulting in a fantastic and unique display.

So, will CNC machinery replace the craftsmen? Not in our workshop! There is no doubt that the software capabilities of these machines will continue to improve and remain a useful tool for our production process, especially when mass producing elements. Having a real 21st century production facility means combining the best advanced technology – like CNC machinery – with the talents of the most highly skilled craftspeople. It’s not man versus machine – but man and machine together.