Choosing the right system.

[soltech2]

Hi !
I would like to make mountings like these on this web site

http://www.ice.com/customer/rings.jsp?&hm=PullR

http://www.solid-scape.com/

We would like to set up a cad system for making models for jewelry production.
We need the software,milling machine,training,and all the necessary tools.
Can someone give me ideas

Thank you

 

[TCARPENTER]

Hi soltech2,

Since you'll need to work in 3D, you'll want to take a look at packages like, Inventor, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, for mid range modelers, or Pro/E for a higher end modeling package. There are a few others Alibre, TurboCAD, Rhino and SketchUp. I haven't done much with the last 4 mentioned but they're worth looking into. I have worked with the first 4 and like them all, Pro/E may be a bit of over-kill for you want to do, but you should investigate them all - my personal preference is SolidWorks - great training, great support, great software package. SolidWorks was designed to go from "Art to Part" which is what I believe you're trying to do. SolidWorks, and Pro/E both have available add-ons (read as extra) software for creating G-Code for milling machines and the software for optimization.

All three will generate STL files for your prototype machines (3D printers). For milling machines, check out Taig, or MaxNC or even Sherline. But even better for your milling machines check out these guys over at CNCZone. They're very knowledgable and helpful.

If you need computers etc., make sure you decide on software first as they will all make recommend certain hardware requirements to best run their software.

Finally another option if you get overwhelmed with all of this, is to use someone elses machines like EMachineShop.

Anyway, lots of options...
HTH
Todd

 

[soltech2]

Hi TCARPENTER !
Thanks for all those links and information.
I found this on the internet.

http://www.3dwaxmill.com

Can you give me your opinion.
The person is offering so much .
The price,training ,etc

 

[TCARPENTER]

Hi soltech2,

Not being a jewelry designer, it's hard for me to know what will work for you and what won't. As a guy on the outside, it looks like a good fit. I've been asked these questions a lot over the years, and the answer is same as "Which furnace is best for my house?" answer: "The one that is properly installed."

Sorry, there is no single right answer for everybody. Every package is good, and yet they all have limitations. It's best to figure out the limitations up front and decide if you can live with them or not.

Sorry if that doesn't help.
Todd

The important thing here is to do your homework. There must be a jewelry design forum somewhere where people have used different systems and can comment on them. But, I'm guessing, if you ask 10 different people who have used the system, you'll get ten completely different answers. It's important to go see these things in action, and talk to the users to find out the pitfalls and how to get around them/work with them etc. There's a chance the work arounds just don't fit your business, preferences, or are too costly. You didn't mention who would be doing the design work, if it's you, then fine. If not, one question to ask a potential vendor is how many install bases/users do you have. If you're not doing the design work, you're going to need to hire someone to do the CAD/milling work for you - and you want a large pool of people to pull from, not just a select few that may be very high priced.

 

[soltech2]

Hi TCARPENTER !


Your idea about a forum is good
It is hard to know what the limitaions are without trying the machines.
But there is one difference that i have noticed and that is


with a program like this one you can make rings like the ones you see on the home page.
The rings have places for stones and there are beads for holding the stones.
The rings are covered with these stones all over.

http://www.solid-scape.com/

With a system like this one I have seen some such impresive work.
But nothing like the other models that you can see at solid-scape

http://3dwaxmill.com/phpBB2/album_cat.php?cat_id=1&sort_method=pic_time&sort_order=DESC&start=270

The price difference between the 2 systems are enormous.

3dwaxmill $4,400
solidscape I have not received a quote.But I think way over $10,000 maybe $40,000
So the 3dwaxmill for me is a better choice

 

[TCARPENTER]

If you can't try them out, you might model up a sample/prototype and send the model to them, explain you are trying to decide between the two machines and have them build the model you sent - at least you could see the end result. Most companies won't have any problem doing this for a potential customer.

HTH
Todd

 

[soltech2]

Hi TCARPENTER !
I just e-mailed 3dwaxmill for a prototype.
When I receive an answer I will let you know.

 

[soltech2]

I will probably have news from 3dwaxmill about the sample on monday.
I was wondering what you think of this product
CATIA V5

 

[TCARPENTER]

Catia V5 is a high end package - if you were designing aircraft or automobiles (used by Daimler-Chrysler and Boeing) It say it's the tool for you. A seat of Catia can run around $25,000 - but if you're into hard core surface models (which your not for jewelry) it's probably serious overkill.

HTH
Todd

 

[soltech2]

Hi TCARPENTER !
You can tell that I am new to designing with cad.
Thanks

 

[soltech2]

I asked these questions to 3dwaxmill

1) Does the program have a library of chatons and other stone mountings.
2) Where is the download site.
3) How much is it to lease this system.
Thanks you
more questions
1) Does the machine make the pre-setting work like the rings this page.
If yes can you make one and send it to me .
Thank you

http://www.solid-scape.com/

I did not get an answer yet.

How about if I buy Rhino and attach it to a milling machine
I am sure it is more complicated than that.
What do you think

 

[TCARPENTER]

Hi soltech2,

How about if I buy Rhino and attach it to a milling machine
I am sure it is more complicated than that.

Only slightly... From Rhino you would save the file in whatever format the milling/prototyping machine wants, and then with the software for the machine, you'll tell it the name of the file you just created and run it from there.

HTH
Todd

 

[soltech2]

Hi TCARPENTER !
I went to ebay and typed in milling machines and i got about 400 of them.


Here one tha tis about 400 dollars,
Can I use one of these .Thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com/RAM-MOREY-ITALY...3QQihZ003QQcategoryZ12584QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[TCARPENTER]

Hi soltech2,

Milling machines and rapid prototyping machines are different beasts altogether. The machine you're looking is a milling machine, but it's not a CNC machine. Rapid prototyping machines build their components from one of a couple of ways. They'll either use a liquid plastic or a powdered plastic (sometimes a powdered metal) and use a laser beam to build the component in layers (usually around .005 inches thick). The advantage here is toolpaths don't have to be set-up, you don't need different cutters etc., you just feed the CAD generated part (normally an STL file) to the machine and it does the rest. If you're going to buy a milling machine, you'll need to learn how to machine. If it's jewelry you want to do, stick with the initial machines you were looking at or use a rapid prototyping place to build the plastic models for you. You just supply the STL file.

HTH
Todd

 

[soltech2]

I just downloaded the trial version of Rhino3d.
I thought that I would be able to take a photo and open it in the Rhino program and work from there.
I think I need a tutorial in this program .
Does anyone know a good rhino tutorial.
Thanks