CAD/CAM - How to Start a Project

• If we are creating a model for you from your 2D drawings or sketches, we generally would like to have as much info as you can supply, including as many dimensions as possible and if necessary any sketches of particular cross-sections that might be relevant etc.

• We work from rough sketches 'on the back of a fag packet', through to CAD produced 2D engineering drawings. Clients also send in images and actual physical samples for us to measure and work from. We can start from a scanned object too, for example a handed earring or cufflink which might have been lost, to make a mirrored model.

• Many projects start by taking a scan of your one-off stone so we can build a model around that particular stone.

• You can view images of the CAD model for approval, before we commit it to either wax machining or ready for Rapid Prototyping.

• More people are now designing using their own CAD software, which they send the files to us to make into wax models. We can quote a price to produce the model once we have seen the CAD file and from its volume we can accurately estimate its weight in the relevant metal needed.

• Important note to remember: We do need to know at the start of the project whether the model is to be cast as a one off direct to metal or if it is for reproduction via rubber moulding, as this makes a big difference to the starting dimensions of the CAD model to allow for shrinkages.

Basically, just tell us what you need and we'll work closely with you to achieve the desired result.