Cincinnati Design Rendering Services (CAD & CNC)
Old School Craftsmanship with New School Technology
CAD is used for creating 2D and 3D drawings and models. CAM is to design machining processes. When the two are used together, this is generally referred to as CAD / CAM. CAM does not actually run the CNC machine. It creates the paths wihich creates the g-code for it to follow. CAD is used for creating 2D and 3D drawings and models. Computer-aided design, CAD / CAM software have taken what we as craftsmen can do to the next level.
If you have never heard of or encountered this technology, CAD / CAM software allows Brendon and I to plan out the details and dimensions of our design plans to incredible details. This is extremely useful when we are working with our CNC robots to create project components (spindles for example) as we can input the design into the computer and then robots can replicate it as many times as we want.
CAD / CAM software allows us to render, chart and review designs prior beginning the actual cutting of the work. So, if we want to make a change before we start cutting, it's as easy as changing out dimensional inputs. Brendon is a true master of CAD / CAM software. His prowess is truly impressive and has helped us take our projects to the next level.
CAD / CAM software is an important part of using the Old School Craftsman workshop to its full potential. It has helped us perform incredible historic restoration projects, especially since we can use high-tech tools like scanners to make inputting dimensions easier than ever before.
CNC Robots
The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) robots go hand-in-hand with CAD technology. We have three CNC robots:
- 6’ x 12’ CNC – the most advanced robot, it works on 5 axis for cutting spindles, A, B, X, Y, Z. 3phase, 11hp spindle with eighteen automatic tool change locations. This machine has an onboard turning lathe for extreme project flexibility.
- 4’ x 8’ CNC – standard "go-to" CNC robot, typical X, Y, and Z axis
- Handheld CNC – for "specialty" or untraditional shapes, on location use, and surfaces that otherwise cannot fit on to standard CNC's.
CNC robots are extremely helpful when making historical components like spindles. Typically, one single spindle takes hours to make and consumes a lathe’s full capacity (many shops can’t afford to do them for this reason). Moreover, our CNC lathe makes cutting items likes spindles, table legs and newel posts, especially easy, and to exact duplication (.003") which we encounter so many times on our historic restorations assignments.
We also use very, very high quality 3D imaging scanner technology to scan historical architectural pieces/items such as spindles, balusters, corbels, spandrel, damaged carvings from a fireplace mantle for reproduction and repairs, etc., etc. We then upload the files into our computer, and use the CNC robots to cut exact replicas as often or as many times as we desire!
Clients maximize value utilizing this method of design service; a service seldom utilized yet equally important as the build itself.