Product category:
Fast prototyping equipment, pattern-making and services
News Release from: Unimatic Engineers | Subject: Rapid prototyping and jewellery-making
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 September 2006
Rapid prototyping aids jewellery-making
students
One of the UK's top jewellery schools has invested in a rapid prototyping machine for modelling and rendering students' designs in 3D in wax using of CAD/CAM techniques.
One of the UK's top jewellery schools has invested in a Unimatic Solidscape rapid prototyping machine for modelling and rendering students' designs in 3D in wax Holts, gemstone and jewellery specialists of Hatton Garden in London, are the only such company in Europe to offer comprehensive jewellery industry training and offer a range of courses from engraving and laser welding to lapidary and the use of CAD/CAM techniques for producing high-precision models of the most intricate designs
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 24 Apr 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Training centre aimed at schools and colleges too
A new training and demonstration centre has been set up in North London to serve users of flexible machining centres and associated CAD/CAM software, initially in the industrial arena.
Template maker compliments wood workers
A CAD/CAM driven template-making machine has helped a woodworking machines specialist to improve its presence in the UK market.
"We chose the Solidscape for several reasons," explained Holt's CAD/CAM tutor Becky Current.
"In my experience, it produces the best surface finish, there are no burn-out problems and the technique of wax layer build-up eliminates ash contamination that can be a problem with other resin-based systems.
Add to that the fantastic resolution that gives wonderfully detailed results and we think it's the best on the market for our requirements." The Solidscape series of high-speed model makers for prototyping and product development rapidly create accurate models by building up layer upon layer of a wax that can be used to produce a mould using the 'lost-wax' casting process.
Further reading
Large linear bearing stockholder also modifies
Claiming to have the UK's biggest stockholding of NSK linear bearings, guides and ballscrews on a single site, the service is supported by specialist engineers for bespoke specificiations.
High precision ballscrews are wear resistant
A comprehensive range of high-precision ballscrews, that give precision translation of rotational into longitudinal motion, is available in a two sizes and different pitches.
Machine tool range suits education and prototyping
A wide range of machine tools and software for schools and colleges is also used for small volume machining applications, such as prototyping and engraving, across industry.
The process is ideal for the making of jewellery, where the students' designs are produced using industry-standard CAD/CAM programs such as Rhino3D, 3DesignJewel, JewelCAD, JewelSmith, TechGems and Flamingo.
The ultra-high resolution of up to 0.0127mm and the fine surface finish give good results straight from the mould, reducing the amount of machine cleaning and polishing that is required and enabling the most intricate and delicate of designs to be realised.
"I had used the Solidscape system before and knew its capabilities," explained Current.
"We wanted to demonstrate to students the capabilities of using the latest computer aided design and manufacturing techniques, taking their ideas right through to actual pieces of jewellery - and, of course, time is of the essence on our intensive training courses.
The Solidscape is as easy to use as a computer printer, very fast and the accuracy and the finish is second to none." The Solidscape range of machines uses 'drop-on-demand-jet' technology that uses a dual material deposition to produce complex designs with the assurance of results that are geometrically perfect and, in many cases, unable to be produced by hand crafting or by milling systems.
Undercuts, overhangs and cavities are no problem because of Solidscape's dissolvable support material structure.
Model features can be fabricated with dimensions as small as 0.254mm and layer thicknesses from 0.0127mm.
Layer thickness and smoothness are maintained by horizontal milling after each layer deposition, the fine layer deposition avoiding the 'stair-stepping' that becomes visible in the final finish.
The model envelope is 6in x 6in x 6in, enabling students at the Holt School to model, for example, large pieces of costume jewellery.
After the part has been 'printed' the non-intrusive support material is gently dissolved away leaving the final high-precision model.
No further finishing is needed. Request a free brochure from Unimatic Engineers ...
• Unimatic Engineers: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
