CNC Lathes, follow rests, and mass production...

I have a question...

I see small CNC lathes that have follow rests available for them.

Is is possible to chuck a bar of steel roughly the length of the bed,
and cut out small shapes from the bar with the CNC operation? It would
cut off each one as it was shaped. The cutter would work back from the
far end towards the headstock.

On one hand, it seems like it would work, and on the other hand seems
too easy.

Would this work?

Thanks!

-Jeff