Believe it or not that type of set up is not as complicated as it looks, the reason being 99% of it is worked out by CAM software, if someone were even daft enough to attempt to program that by hand it would probably be full of errors plus it would take years and years to do. I reckon 2 / 4 hours maximum for the CAM side of things.

Working out 4, 5 or 6 axis worth of movement is just way too complicated for anything other than a computer.

Its not often I'm really impressed with CNC stuff as I seem to spend most of the day watching them so they get boring after a while but the V8 cylinder block machining was very impressive as are a few other videos on You Tube:

Theres also one of a W16 engine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU32Q6QXtWQ

The co-ordination of this machines is incredible, amazing to watch work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6jtF...elated&search=

The speed this horizontal can remove metal at is also amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG_A6gvOS24

Billet Crankshaft being machined:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Fj1j8Sg1g


There is also a hybrid turning / milling centre which on there some where which is an interesting looking machine.