Suppose I have the pixel pushing power to do a replica of a million $ faberge egg? What if the experts say it is BETTER than the human product.... but worth only a thousand $ instead of a million?
“Value” is a measure of what someone is willing to pay, not how
“perfect” it is.
If machines could pump out a thousand perfect “Faberge” eggs they
would still never be a Faberge (but I bet Walmart could sell them
all if they asked a price that folks saw as low enough)
I was not a jeweler at the time, but I would be willing to bet that
therewere jewelers who aw the end of their craft when some newcomers
started using power tools instead of solelythe traditional twist
drill, saw and files.
Artists always seem to find ways to push new tools and techniques in
directions that the less creative thinkers never see coming. I would
expect that 3D printing will, in the end just be one more tool in
the artist’s tool box, allowing him or her to display their talent
and unique view of the craft.
Hello ringdoctor,
You said,
"Value" is a measure of what someone is willing to pay, not how "perfect" it is.
The price of an object is only one, and not the most sensitive, way
to estimate value. We value things because they are beautiful,
useful, beloved, exceptional, unique, etc.
The price of an object is valuable only in one iteration. it is
valuable because it gives us money. Not a bad thing, but not the
only thing.
Linda Kaye-Moses
Hi all
3D printing has still not produced Lalique reproductions wonder why?
3D printing cannot enamel.
Also printing the waxes is very expensive the one I have cost $35.
It is quality but could have been made from injected wax at a fraction
of the price.
Jewellers and precious metal smiths with years of experience may
well do amazing things with 3D printing.
Pixel pushers without the bench training will not get the goods
done.
Also the 3D printed pieces have to be cast. This is a whole other
set of skills, as has been mentioned.
That said I would like the time and money to learn this tech.
all the best
Richard
In regard to robotic surgery being better than humans I have read
studies that are just the opposite. For example, in a study of
bladder cancer surgery the robotic surgery was no better than human
performed surgery.
The only reason robotic surgery exists is because they did an
excellent job of marketing. Intuitive Surgical company for example is
the classic look of how they convinced hospitals to buy their 1.8
million dollar machines claiming they were superior. All they did was
raise the already insane cost of healthcare because robotic surgery
adds at least another 2K to any common surgery that may already have
a very high success rate. And now after an exponential growth rate
never before seen, the company has been hit with over 30 major
lawsuits. The U. S. regulators have cases that prove that the
Intuitive Surgical company simply exploited hospital executives
insecurities about “falling behind” in technology. And it was fast
tracked without enough evidence that it was better for patients. At
this time, it seems it is not better and just costs more.
Firstly I must admit that I have no experience of 3D printing, so
excuse me if my facts are wrong, but doesn’t 3D printing produce a
wax model for casting? if so this process will remove the need for
skills of wax model makers. A shame as a model maker can have a
trade using their skills and without much capital outlay.
Peter referred to Faberge eggs being made via this 3D printing, I
think that Ted Frater answered that point well. Some may know that
in my long career I have made a few gold eggs, made by the same
methods as the Faberge workshops used, eggs made from sheet and
wires with no casting involved. Each egg was unique and I hope their
owners treasure them, they mostly have the Asprey name on them and
in time may gain in value. If I am correct that all 3D made gold
pieces are castings, then an expert will always be able to spot the
difference between a casting and a hand fabricated piece in the
future.
I always wonder what will happen to our trade if we ever lose
electricity.
The attachment shows some of my eggs.
Peace and good health to metalsmiths.
James Miller FIPG
Hi Jim (and everybody)
3D printed stuff will (generally) be castings for the forseeable
future, but there are machines out there on an industrial scale that
use powdered metal that gets fused together with lasers to produce
solid metal parts. Vastly expensive, as you essentially need a metal
powder sandbox to create the parts in, but it does work. There’s
some interesting work being done with powders of different metals
being fused together into one solid block, so as to have a part of
controllable mechanical property. Not practical for our scale of
work, (or expense of material) yet, but perhaps one day.
To get back to the Faberge eggs, yeah, you could do them with a 5
axis CNC mill, but you’re talking about a $250K+ machine, and
someone who really knows how to drive it, combined with a few
months of fiddling to get the cuts and tooling right. (and not just
any 5 axis mill either, you’d probably need one of the ones with the
cutting head on an articulated arm. Not your average hackerspace
toy.)
I’ve been pondering the zen of CNC engine turning for some time, as
I keep getting priced out of the game every time I hear of a Rose
Engine that comes up for sale.
(Yes, there are some toys that even I don’t have.) So, yes, with a
bit of work and scheming, you can get a CNC to do that sort of cut,
but it’s not something that they’ll do straight off the shelf.
Regards,
Brian
Wow! Just Wow!
Well kids, here’s something to aspire to.
Thanks James for setting the bar just about as high as it can go.
I own james Miller’s book and am thrilled that there are still
artisans that can still do this kind of work.
Have fun and make lots of jewelry
Jo Haemer
timothywgreen.com
Also the 3D printed pieces have to be cast. This is a whole other set of skills, as has been mentioned.
Well, there are printers that can print directly in metal and sinter
the metal as it goes.
Hello James,
Your Easter Eggs are simply breathtaking! Thank you so much for
sharing that link!
Best Regards,
Julie
I worked for a special-order, fine-quality trade shop. The owners
wife had less than zero" knowledge of any form of diamond-setting.
With this lack of any training, she made a Cad design of a large
Engagement ring with two Trillium diamonds on either side. He cast
it & gave it to me. woops! I looked at it in sheer shock, she didn’t
make any claws to fold over the side-stones. I explained the
problems, she gave me "sht" for not knowing how to set those
diamonds. She said “I made it and you must set it!!!” I went
immediately (without a second being lost) went to her husband/owner.
he was aghast in what went seriously wrong. It had to be finished
the same day. resulting in lost time in Cad, casting & delivery.
HE told her in no uncertain terms to consult me next time prior
to even paper-drawing or hitting the Cad button. She royally
screwed up!! Obviously I didn’t stay there long. too much
production stress.
Moral of this story…Learn setting techniques, then have fun
working in Cad. These two professions are so intertwined, one cannot
be done without the other!..Gerry - Lewy!-
I always wonder what will happen to our trade if we ever lose electricity.
You will revert to what I do. All by hand the old ways. After a while
you will be surprised how fast you can become.
Aggie the metal luddite sitting on a cool mountaintop smashing metal.
Hi Brian,
A number of people have tried to imitate true engine turning with
CNC, but haven’t pulled it off yet because their cutters are the
revolving kind. Anengine turning cutter is basically a stationary
burin that leaves a brightcut, giving the surface a shimmering
scintillating effect when the cuts are multiplied in rows. I’m sure
a CNC machine could be designed to do this, but I’m not sure all the
effort would be worth it. Better just to get an engine turning
machine and do it. Plus, the engine turning machine has a quiet
majesty of its own. All you are doing is silently turning a crank
andwatching the cutter weave its rhythmic line. It’s a very
meditative experience. After all, they were using the same machines
in the 1700’s before motors or electricity. Turn the crank one
revolution, adjust the setting, turn the crank one revolution,
adjust. like that. Best to be alone with nodistractions, or you
might forget to adjust the settings. While you’re doing this, you
can think about Faberge and the Czar, and the Russian revolution
that ended all that magic. Sniff.
Larry
Hi all
All by hand the old ways. After a while you will be surprised how fast you can become.
I ran out of the sanding wheels for my flexi, how well organized was
that. 500 kms to nearest supplier.
So got out my old sanding sticks put on new paper and finished the
bezel rings fast as lightning. And did a better job. More control.
Use them all the time now.
all the best
Richard
Hi Agnes,
Good for you. I keep an old treadle sewing machine in my storage for
the day when the electricity stops. Could be easily converted to a
nice lathe turning setup.
I was in India years ago and visited a tailor/seamstress shop in a
rather remote village. There were about 8 women there all using the
old Singer treadle sewing machines and creating the most amazing
fabrics.
Larry
Dear James & All,
The appropriate word for us is—Stunning !!Not only are your eggs
very well conceived & crafted, they are truly extraordinary.
Thank you so much for sharing and giving many of us inspiration…
Warmly from SF CA, Jo-Ann Maggiora Donivan and John Donivan
The attachment shows some of my eggs. http://www.ganoksin.com/ftp/Easter-egg-sheet.jpg
OK, I will be the first to speak the blasphemy, Your eggs are not as
good as Faberge’s. They are better. Execution of both are flawless,
but you have better design.
I keep an old treadle sewing machine in my storage for the day when the electricity stops. Could be easily converted to a nice lathe turning setup.
You can buy a new treadle from Lehman’s Non-Electric Supply, should
you want one.
I have to agree. and I love Faberge’s work. it was the collection at
the Richmond Museum in Virginia that allowed me to set my goals.
glad you were not on my radar screen. Would have taken me longer to
retire:-)
Panama Bay Jewelers
