Between machines and art: The impact of CNC technology on artistic creation

This study shows how a hybrid workflow based on a Style-GAN-3 (with 256 × 256 pixel resolution) together with a €185 open-hardware plotter reframes authorship by uniting algorithmic invention with material execution. Specifically, it focuses on the development of a low-cost CNC machine, named ‘Gorosito’, which includes various customisation elements, such as the ability to interchange drawing tools to suit the operator/artist. Experimental validation of Gorosito is performed using images generated with generative AI and also including a comparison of the results with those produced by a commercial CNC machine. Results reveal precision of 0 . 045 mm and a 34% cost saving comparing with other commercial solutions. Our findings also show that each artwork, derived from the same digital file, acquires a unique expression, which leads to a redefinition of authenticity in digital art and provides a renewed perspective on the interplay between technology, artistic creation and cultural perception. The study thus positions Gorosito as an open and reproducible framework that any creative-code laboratory can adopt, bridging machine learning research with low-cost digital fabrication. • Custom CNC technologies enable unique materialisations from identical digital sources – The study demonstrates how the Gorosito machine, through adjustable mechanical parameters and interchangeable drawing tools, produces singular physical outputs from the same digital input. These material variations reintroduce uniqueness into digitally generated artworks, challenging the logic of standardised reproduction and offering a contemporary reinterpretation of authenticity in machine-assisted creation. • Hybrid GAN and a CNC pipeline thoroughly evaluated, ensuring replicability and mechanical reproduction to expand creative expression – Combining generative AI with a CNC system, this study demonstrates how digital and mechanical technologies can serve as active collaborators in artistic creation. Through experimental validation and comparison with a commercial CNC machine, the project highlights how subtle variations in stroke, texture, and orientation enrich the expressive potential of each artwork, challenging traditional notions of authorship and reproducibility. • Gorosito stands out as a low-cost solution, with a bill of materials totalling €185 and a comprehensive parameter description that enables straightforward, direct replication.