PRIME Reflections

Automation Masters:

I took a drive to Eugene, OR for the PRIME Model Engineering Expositiion
last weekend. I was there late Saturday and Sunday morning.

Most of the exibits, maybe 90-95% were model engines. Fascinating
engines of all kinds. I am in awe of the workmanship and patience very
evident in these. Many master machinists displaying custom work. This
was very impressive.

But, after hearing about NAMES, I thought there would be a bigger CNC
presence. I remember the posts about dueling CNC controllers at NAMES.
At PRIME I saw only one CNC (Prazi ?) tucked away in a corner. Sherline
and other MFGs had a small presence but no CNC equipment.

It seemed few of the builders were using CNC either. From the work done
I think CNC would be a great help, even for one offs.

By numbers of people the exibit wasn't too large, 100-200 or so involved
when I was there. Machining as a hobby seems to be a small, nitch
endevor. And hobby/home CNC is a small (but growing) nitch of this. I
tend to loose sight of this, probably because this group talks of little
else and has a prominant presence on my computer. :-)

So being a nitch in a nitch are we exclusive or just nuts?

OK, now where am I gonna find the time to build a stirling engine, a
little 4-stroke gas of two or maybe four cylinders, a hit and miss for
my desk top, and a .....................

Have a good week.

--
Hugh Currin
Klamath Falls, OR