WHAT IS CAD/CAM AND
WHY IS IT USED IN JEWELRY MAKING?
DESIGNING THE OBJECT
CAD/CAM is an acronym for Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing. This process is used heavily in the engineering and manufacturing fields to prototype and create objects to exact measurements, hence the phrase “CAD Accurate.” Due to the need of an artist to have exact measurements for stones and complex visual designs in their work, jewelry artisans have recently adopted this process in pursuit of equally accurate waxes that later become visually stunning finished pieces.
I start with a two dimensional idea/drawing like the one you see to the right. This belt buckle design was inspired by wrought iron fence designs I saw in New Orleans. I then place the approved drawing into a CAD (design part) software program and convert it into a three dimensional object.
CREATING THE WAX
Then the 3D virtual object is opened in a CAM (milling part) software application that translates the object into a “language” that the milling machine can understand (G Code).
The G Code gets sent to the milling machine and tells the bit to moves back and forth across the block of wax to slowly and precisely cut out the design into the wax. This creates a positive of the actual object.
THE WAX CASTED
The wax is then cast using the lost wax casting method. You pick which metal you want to use for the piece. This belt buckle was cast using sterling silver.
Once cast, I then clean up the piece by filing and buffing any rough parts of the piece. For this piece, I sandblasted it and used liver of sulfur to add a petina to bring out the details. This can be seen in the first image on this page.
