[Jewelry making - Article 00085] - Re: [Orchid] Technology & Design

[Jeff Dunnington]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


    Jeffrey, I second your thoughts!! It is a tool. 

    I also have been designing and creating one of a kind pieces for the
    past 30 years. The past  2 years I have been using a Roland MDX-15 as
    a tool to enhance the creation of some  of my designs.   I think that
    my creative abilities have been heighten with the introduction to
    CAD- CAM.  I plan on continuing to learn programs like Rhino and get
    into 4 axis milling and sending some designs out for rapid prototype
    modeling to produce even more complicated models that are unable to
    be milled. 

    The CAD-CAM system has also increased production on my general
    jewelry work.  The ability to design and create logo jewelry with the
    precision of the specialty companies, custom bezels for standard and
    unique shaped stones, prong settings for pendants, earrings and rings
    has been invaluable to my studio sales and bottom line.   The 1st
    year I had the mill my studio sales increase 40% strictly due to
    having the mill. 

    With the MDX-15 I can also 3d scan and record my original wax
    sculpture to then recreate it,make it smaller, larger, invert  or
    make a mirror duplicate. 

    There can still  be a lot of "soul" and "one off" creativity
    instilled in a design enhanced by CAD-CAM technology. I still carve
    and hand make many of my designs. I also still love to learn the old
    ways of making jewelry and object. Next tools I am going to purchase
    is a Miniature forming stake set and a German Anvil set. 

    I am sure that same argument was made when jewelers started  using a
    drop press and then carving wax and casting pieces that were before
    hand wrought from metal. 

Keep an open mind.

Jeff Dunnington
http://www.dreamgold.com


____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________