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> Does a machinist who uses CNC qualify as a machinist?

Yes. The CNC doesn't act on its own.

If I ask the CNC "make me a widget", am I a machinist?

I think you nailed it. If the CNC machine makes your widget, then you made it. If it didn't make you the widget correctly, then you made a paperweight, and you're not a machinist, you're somebody making paperweights.

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