We have a few different softwares that allow us to make any shape,
organic or very industrial and pretty much everything in between. So
We can make just about any shape that we can think of.
Thomas Cavagnaro, G.G.
Cadsmithing, LLC
cadsmithing.com
If you are looking into getting into CAD there is absolutely no cheaper way to do it than with a student version of Rhino.
Student pricing of Rhino 3.0 on this Studica.com page:
http://www.studica.com/products/search.cfm?search_str=rhinoceros
$95.00 and $139.95
Neil
Now let me ask further...are the resultant design files usable by any CAM machine? Must the cad and cam be of the same type? can they be translated if need be?
First your CAD file must be turned into an STL Or stereolithography
file. Almost any CAD program that you could name will be capable of
this. You must then export/import this file into a separate
toolpathing software and orient it correctly so that it can be
milled. Here you set the job up and tell the program how you want to
mill the file. Setting up flat items and two sided items are done
differently than setting up a ring. You also tell the program what
tool you will be using as well as a few other things, and the
program generates a G code that will cut your wax.
A good program for this task is Deskproto. Deskproto has toolposts
for a vast amount of CAM machines. The machine that you have must be
capable of accepting the G code that the program outputs. If there is
a “toolpost” within the program your machine will be able to cut the
file because the code the program generates takes all the specific
parameters of your machine into consideration. Since Deskproto
supports a very large number of machines, it is conceivable that you
will be able to use almost any machine to mill the G code that is
generated by Deskproto. Failing having a specific toolpost for a
machine, it is possible to write one or have one written for you that
will allow you to use the mill with the CAM program.
This is probablly a more complicated answer than you were expecting,
but the short answer is that there are some programs like ArtCam that
have a toolpathing software built right into the program. These
programs sometimes do not have the versatility of a program like
Deskproto and the number of mills that you can use with them COULD be
limited. This is NOT really a big problem. But it is wise to look at
the big picture first and make sure that your plans and budget all
work together. By this I mean that you should plan ahead and be aware
of what options you have for milling when you buy the CAD program.
David
every day, all day i work on jewelCAD for a traditional jewelry
manufacturer. i got really comfortable with the program after the
second year. now we do so many special orders that are very similar
but vary the wt, qty or shape of stone and finger size. these styles
are our bread and butter and far faster to build than a wax
alteration with a far superior result. i can knock one of these out
in about 15 minutes. then there are the custom layouts which might
take longer, but nowhere near the time it would have taken to
fabricate, even if i had the skill level to do that. if i
miscalculate the shrinkage or stone fit it is minutes to correct it
and re-run the file. the only jobs i do by hand wax are weds to
match an existing unusual engagement ring with a side contour that
defies estimation… and those are rare. on the side i freelance cad
and achieve incredibly organic forms, more like art jewelry. the main
benefit, aside from the speed is the precision, especially for things
like matching earrings. i love this program, its like playing a
puzzle every day. and i still have opportunity to complete a piece by
hand, imparting a touch of soul. and at least once a day i discover
something new that i can do. for the record, i find that over 95% of
spec renderings result in an order. for freelance work i evaluate the
project, give an estimate and then charge separately for changes. the
best part is that there is no set up or clean up time. i turn the
computer on and i turn it off. and i can work in my pajamas!
Now let me ask further...are the resultant design files usable by any CAM machine? Must the cad and cam be of the same type? can they be translated if need be?
Yes the output from Rhino can be used with most systems. For Cam
milling we usually take the .stl file output from Rhino and convert
it
to G code, some thing the service bureau does, you dont have to. For
3 D printing the client supplies the .stl file or the original 3dm
file direct from Rhino.
You can contact us with any questions
Thomas Cavagnaro, G.G.
Cadsmithing, LLC A Service Bureau
Rapid Prototyping, 4 axis milling, CAD
cadsmithing.com
A good program for this task is Deskproto. Deskproto has toolposts
for
a vast amount of CAM machines. The machine that you have must
I have no experience with this, but many people mention Mach 3 as
good for this. Just throwing the name out there…
So then…for a modest initial investment and sufficient time to
train, one could get one’s feet wet with CAD? Create files, send to
manufacturer who would then mill the wax and cast?
What system requirements are needed for a beginning CAD program?
Would a typical PC be enough?
How would the files be transferred to the manufacturer? On a disc or
could they be emailed?
Thanks,
Mental wheels whirring and buzzing, Neil
Neil,
Yes, an investment in some cad software and probably a LOT of
practice time and you can send your files out (either email or cd) to
have them milled. And for a free taste check out Sort of a lite
version of rhino currently being written by the original author,
more meant as a tablet application, and while I haven’t done much
more than play with it the price is good and it is still being
developed.
In terms of computers anything fairly recent is good for a start,
forget 486 boxes 
but I did a lot of professional work on early
garage sale pentiums… now I find a 3 gig box with lots of memory
slow after only a year. Faster is much better, but your expectations
and needs also grow faster.
I’ve never sent files out for milling. I have taken some jobs
milling from files. Difficult work, worthwhile, but justified only
because I was exposed to different ideas. I might be classified as a
control freak but the design and cutting processes are tied together.
One of the advantages of this stuff is that it’s easy to move a
detail.05mm and re-run while you sleep. In my experience the software
/ hardware cost split can easily end up on the software side. But
both are a fraction of the learning costs.
Consider yourself warned, it is a really neat tool but like all
tools it takes some time to master; benefit proportional to
investment.
Jeff
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
So then...for a modest initial investment and sufficient time to train, one could get one's feet wet with CAD? Create files, send to manufacturer who would then mill the wax and cast?
Yes, many jewelers do it that way. Every year more custom
manufacturers are adding CNC milling and/or RP capabilities to the
services they offer. And there are also specialist services that
will send the milled or built part to the custom casting service of
your choice.
What system requirements are needed for a beginning CAD >program? Would a typical PC be enough?
Different programs vary in their requirements, but you can certainly
get started with a fairly low-end new PC. Usually, adding more RAM
is a good idea, though.
How would the files be transferred to the manufacturer? On a disc or could they be emailed?
Disks certainly work, if you’re not in a rush. The STL format has
emerged as the de-facto standard for transferring 3d mesh files.
They tend to be a bit large for most email servers, which impose a
file-size limit, but there are web-based services like
www.yousendit.com, which allow you to send files up to 100mb in size
by email/ftp. If you want to send a lot of them, or really huge
ones, they make you pay a little, but it’s still pretty inexpensive.
Andrew Werby
A good program for this task is Deskproto. Deskproto has toolposts for a vast amount of CAM machines. The machine that you have must I have no experience with this, but many people mention Mach 3 as good for this. Just throwing the name out there....
DeskProto and Mach3 basically do different things. DeskProto imports
your 3d model and makes toolpaths from it which it writes as a
“G-code” file; Mach3 opens the G-code file and executes it, actually
controlling the machine as it runs. There’s a little overlap:
DeskProto can run its code on Roland MDX-40 machines, while Mach3’s
“Lazycam” feature can write simple toolpaths for 2d operations, but
to deal with most jewelry milling projects, you’re likely to need
both programs or their equivalents.
Andrew Werby
Neil
Most current computers (less than 2 years old) will easily run Rhino.
If you want to render things with Flamingo…that’s a different
story. You need a really fast one with a good graphics card and lots
of memory for rendering.
I have people e-mail me.3dm files all the time. I will NOT work from
.stl files as many times I have to go into the original file and
make corrections. At the very least I have to put on support bars to
hold the wax in the material as it is cut. Sometimes I need to
replace prongs that people send me that are not thick enough. Many
times they tell me that they want the bezel cut as a separate piece
because they want to cast it in white gold and the shank in yellow
gold…but for some reason fail to send them as separate files. If it
is NOT an stl file I can go into it and pull those parts out and mill
them separately. If it was already an.stl file I would be unable to
work with the file to make it separate pieces.
In any case, even for a large file you can easily.rar it and send it
to someone who will cut it via e-mail.
Your premise though is correct, you can get into CAD very cheaply
with basic Rhino. The next thing you will want to buy is Tech Gems.
That will allow you to do a lot of jewelry specific functiuons.
David
For a simpler and cheaper introduction to CAD/CAM, look at 3DWaxMill
here:
for about $3,500 you get a milling machine, all the CAD CAM software
you will ever need, and membership in the 3DWaxMill Forum which is
worth a bunch because there are tons of folks who are most willing to
help.
I bought mine a year ago, and I have NEVER regretted it.
Jon
Hi Neil,
And for a free taste check out Sort of a lite version of rhino currently being written by the original author, more meant as a tablet application, and while I haven't done much more than play with it the price is good and it is still being developed.
I just wanted to echo Jeff’s recommendation to try the program being
developed by Michael Gibson, the original creator of Rhino.
“Moment of Inspiration” is about as user friendly as any CAD program
I’ve ever seen…it’s intended for artists and designers to use
rather than engineers.
It doesn’t have all the features of Rhino, but it has enough tools to
make basic jewelry models and learn some of the strategies of 3D
surface modeling.
I’ve noticed on the MoI forum that some of the ZBrush afficionados
are taking a liking to it, probably because MoI surfaces are “looser”
than Rhino surfaces, so it lends itself to a more organic style of
modeling in addition to the ability to make precise geometric shapes.
Also on the MoI discussion forum, are some good video tutorials as
well as some very impressive models posted. I have no affillation
with the program, I just like it. 
-jdk-
The link I posted last night for a ‘lite’ free rhino didn’t make it
through. It is
If that doesn’t work try googling “Moment of Inspiration” I haven’t
done any serious testing but it sure feels like a rhino UI, and will
export.stl files
Jeff
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand