Quote:
Originally Posted by HiDive
What you are not sure about is how a modern machine shop works. A modern multi axis machining center can store dozens of tools in a loadable magazine and access / change them in seconds. They can also change programs at the control panel in seconds. We machined everything from parts for older machines in our shop to the products we made for sale. Loading a new program from a cad drawing saved on a computer is also done in seconds. None of what we are talking about here is a big deal to change. There is no hand change to the tooling, no hand operation of the machines and very little in the process to make a watchcase or something completely different. And in this case, the product dimensions are the same and the only changes are likely to be the tool material and cutting speeds. This is not a case of making a big shutdown and change over like it would have been 40 years ago. I also did freelance work in setup and repair of machine centers that made a wide variety of product from medical implants to RC car aluminum wheels.
Visiting a machine shop is quite different than working for 12 years running several machine shops and having a degree in Manufacturing Engineering.
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I think a lot of people assume that Rolexes are being made one by one, by hand and "it takes a year to make a Rolex", whereas we know from the Tudor factory tours how automated their process is. (And before someone cuts in with "oh but that's Tudor", there's absolutely no reason Rolex would have less precision equipment on its premium line.)