[Jewelry making - Article 00173] - Re: [Orchid] CAD/CAM stuff

[Andrew Werby]

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>         1 - As far as I know, there are 3 basic CAD systems developed
>     and used in the jewellery field. Jewelcad, Artcam and Rhino (with
>     Gemvision's Matrix enhancements). I have downloaded trial versions
>     of Rhino & Jewelcad, and seen Matrix operate at a trade show. What
>     are your unbiased opinions of each of these packages and which do
>     you prefer to use? 

    There's also Jewelspace, by Caligari (it's an adaptation of
    Truespace.) And Delcam has recently come out with a jewelry-specific
    version of ArtCam. But I don't think it's necessary to spend extra
    money on these specialized versions of  basic CAD programs unless you
    really need a "head wizard" to help you design a Tiffany head, or a
    library of standard gem shapes.- these are just canned routines that
    inhibit creativity, in my opinion.

>         2 - Or does each have a specific application that it is best
>     at? 

    Rhino is the best general-purpose modeler I've used. ArtCam is best
    at converting 2d art into 3d reliefs. Jewelcad is mostly a point-of
    sale tool, as far as I can tell - it's good at shuffling together
    standard gemshapes and settings while a customer waits, but affords
    little scope for artistic input. 

>         3 -What has the support been like from each of these software
>     developers? 

    Rhino' support is good; I don't have experience with the rest. 

>         4 - In terms of producing an actual model, can a 4 axis
>     milling machine produce similar pieces to other RP machines such as
>     SolidScape's T66 or other types of RP machines? 

    Similar but different. A milling machine can produce a smoother
    surface, but there is more design flexibility with an additive RP
    process than a subtractive one. For one thing, it's necessary to
    support a part while you're cutting on it, so it will have to have
    some uncut surfaces, but a built-up model can have detail on every
    surface, since a temporary support structure is built along with the
    model. It's also possible to have undercuts and other features one
    can't reach with a rotating tool. 

>         5 - Has anyone had any experience with Gemvision's Revo540
>     milling machine? 

    Not me. Is it a servo or stepper system? They don't offer any data
    on its speed, accuracy or repeatability on their site:
    http://www.gemvision.com/html/products/revo540.html  


>         6 - Those with both a CAD and CAM system in-house, has your
>     work been primarily for your own use, or do you operate as a
>     service bureau? 

    Mostly it's my own stuff at this point, although I have done some
    work for others. 

>         7 - Those that send CAD files to a service bureau, do you have
>     long lead times? Is there a shortage of service bureaus? 

    There is starting to be a fair number of them, but I'm sure that
    many localities don't have one. 

    I would be grateful in receiving responses either on or off list.
    Kindest Regards, 

    I'll try both, since my posts seem to take a couple of days to
    appear (I suppose it takes the Orchid staff some time to strip off my
    beloved square-bracketing...) 

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com


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