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To sum
up, let us try to show when it is profitable to
use CAD/CAM and when it is not through some examples
 Cases
where CAD/CAM utilization is profitable :
When a pair
of earrings is to be manufactured, after making
the model of the first one, the bigger problem
is to make the model of the second one of the
pair as a mirror image copy of the first. This
operation is very complicated and time consuming
when carried out by hand, even more than the production
of the base model. By means of the computer it
is quite simple and fast. The time required for
the production of a mirror copy depends only on
the power of the computer in which the power of
the computer in which the program has been installed.
The more power, the faster it is. The same reasoning
is applicable to the resizing of a ring or of
a clasp or a pendant. We know very well that,
when we put a new set of jewellery on the market,
we cannot offer a single model, but we should
offer several variants, even if only in the different
standard size variants, that is small, medium
and large. To satisfy this simple requirement,
the model maker would have to make the same model
three times, each in the different dimensions.
When a computer is used, it is sufficient to scale
up or down the relevant CAD model parameters to
obtain all the required size variants offered
by CAD/CAM designing.
Fretwork is another
example of the advantages offered by CAD/CAM designing.
The bangle discussed earlier, is a good example:
If a model maker is required to cut by hand a
set of little hearts or flowers on a bracelet,
he needs several hours’ work, and eventually
the work may not be accurate enough. If the same
operation is carried out with a computer, the
time required is much shorter and the final result
is accurate to a hundredth of a millimeter. The
same holds for joints or hinges for watchcases
and wrist-watch bracelets.
Cases
when CAD/CAM utilization is not profitable :
A fairly common
error made by companies that use CAD/CAM is trying
to make their models completely with this system
for all cases. In practice, it may be preferable
to produce some extremely technical and complicated
pieces, that are difficult to make by hand, by
means of a milling machine or other suitable machine.
Other pieces can be committed to the skill of
the goldsmith. Therefore, CAD/CAM should not be
considered as a substitute for traditional techniques,
but as a complementary technique that helps the
goldsmith to carry out some operations more rapidly
and more accurately.
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