My purpose at this point in life is to be creative. Mostly tangible items. But not always. Making “Old School” Arts and Crafts items are high on my preference list. So is applying electronics to assist creativity, such as digital control systems. Especially when it is used to accurately produce additive and subtractive Arts and Craft work.
The intangible fun, is the enjoyment of the process of original design, making, and then the sharing what I create with others. Whether as a gift or receiving the occasional gratuity, wealth is not the goal. Neither is possession (collecting and saving) the items I create.
I love to get into the very deep process of how automation actually works. It’s part of my craft to totally understand how ones’ digitally controlled tools “do what they do” to the fullest extent. Even to how the instruction code is created and functions.
“Old School” means everything is done by hand. Totally human powered. Some folks think that is the most “sacred” form of crafting. I understand it is one form of crafting, but it doesn’t make it a superior option. It’s usually called “primitive art”, but not in an offensive sense.
Sometimes it just “feels good” to totally create by hand and muscle control. Totally fine with me. Automation and power tools are not always necessary. For me there is more of putting myself into the project and product when done totally by hand.
I think it is also the difference between “crafting” and manufacturing.
When higher production is needed, the automation and power tools provide the means.
I am pretty much a “middle of the lane” driver with automation. I don’t venture too close to the edges. I don’t like total automation as that becomes manufacturing. That’s definitely not my comfort zone.
I will do a “production run” when necessary. A set of fancy coasters as an example. But I am not a factory.
What keeps me going is new ideas and items. I like the design and prototype kind of operating. Always looking to try something new. Not repetitive manufacturing of identical items.
This makes creating an automated procedure more difficult as I may never do something the same way more than once. Or at least not repetitively.
Automation is the heart of massive identical manufacturing. That’s when using total automation “pays for it’s use”.
“Working smart” for me is combining automation in the tooling with human control of the process. And having a total understanding grasp of every step.
I am always looking for new designs and applications in need of my design and build ability. Today it is smaller, portable items, from jewelry to table top size.
I admit i’m not as young and agile as I once was, so projects are smaller. But enjoyable because it is not size that matters. Just the creative satisfaction! <G>