THIS PAPER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE READER WITH THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BETWEEN THE MACHINES AND TECHNOLOGIES AVAILABLE; WHETHER EVALUATING HIS/HER MACHINE AND PRESENT APPLICATIONS OR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW MACHINE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ON THE PURCHASE OF A NEW MACHINE, IT WILL PROVIDE READERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO SELECT THE MACHINE AND TOOLING THEY NEED WITHOUT LIMITING THEMSELVES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HELPING TO KEEP COST IN CHECK (RETURN ON INVESTMENT). WHILE NOT PROVIDING ACTUAL COST COMPARISONS, THIS PAPER PROVIDES THE READER WITH THE BASIS TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.