The moment you start using JewelryCAM, you’ll know you’ve permanently changed the way you work. With the push of a single button, the process of modeling your jewelry piece begins. Created specifically for jewelry modeling on the Mira Mill family of machines, JewelryCAM’s simplicity and speed set it above traditional programs.
This game-changing technology requires no special programming knowledge — in fact, it’s not much different from your office printer. For the first time, the program combines the preparation of 3-D computer modeling and cutting on a 5-axis machine into a fully automatic mode. A step up from three- and four-axis machines, five-axis machines move your workpiece along two rotary axes: A and B, while the spindle moves along three linear axes: X, Y, and Z.
JewelryCAM is a plugin to Rhino 3D www.rhino3d.com . It is installed on top of Rhino or based on other programs, such as the Matrix, RhinoGold, or RhinoJewel. Rhino is the most popular program in the world, characterized by simplicity, convenience, and relatively inexpensive cost. Rhino is now a world in which there are hundreds of utility programs, plug-ins, applications in various areas of human activity from the simulation to the yacht shoes and jewelry.
Rhino is useful primarily to the fact that its models and files are universal to all designers worldwide. They are already the language spoken by 3D designers. Rhino is the main 3D computer modeling program in the jewelry business. It has numerous commands for general modeling and jewelry specific plug-ins.
JewelryCAM is based on full integration with Rhino, with interaction modules written for Rhino SS API (Self-Service Application Programming Interface, a set of tools and routines for building software and apps) using RhinoCommon.dll. This will allow you to quickly edit the target geometry, and eliminates the need to leave the JewelryCAM environment.
It also means that you can use advanced tools in Rhino to build the geometry of vector-controlled milling machines (such as DriveSurface or Swarf). However, our customer surveys show that continuous 5-axis machines, such as the MIRA, are increasing in popularity and demand compared to machines utilising index strategies.
Core algorithms written in C++, a general-purpose programming language. These algorithms have their own mathematics, and are executed directly on the physical processor of the computer, and not in the environment. In using .NET Runtime, a programming model, JewelryCAM’s innovation permits you to sidestep the consequences of inner math and inferior CAM industrial environments.
Custom mode is for complex, often one-of-a-kind models that are impractical to produce in the Automatic mode. Working with the large selection of tools provided, the user can work on a portion of the models to create unusual shapes and elements.
Traditional plane round ring with detail around and engraving inside. These tools allow you to make the most of rings for your customers. You don’t have to deal with configuring settings or options; everything is done by clicking a few buttons. It’s easy to learn and easy to use. If you want to change something in the automatic mode, you can even pause the process and edit, add or delete some of operations. These settings are automatically saved and can be used again and again.
This mode can be used for simple engagement and gem stone rings that do not require additional operations.
The simulator installed in JewelryCAM is one of the most powerful visual tools available. For ease of navigation, it opens in a separate window and has an extensive menu which provides all the information you need on the toolpaths and machine, such as distance, individual paths, processing time, etc. It also gives you a visual display of the deleted material, and allows you to track the coordinates and position of the axes from point to point — in either step-by-step or continuous simulation. Use the sliders to move all five axes, or set the coordinates to find the optimal angles when developing the toolpaths.
Since the advent of the first 5-axis NS CNC machines in 2009, the question arose; which CAM program to use? A vast number of CAM programs exist for 3- and 4-axis machines. Everyone knows them; they are used to them. However, there were not many 5-axis CAMs; they were very complicated and very expensive. The problem of choice was also that most jewelers preferred to do 3D design in Rhino. Accordingly, we needed a program that integrated with Rhino as well.
We found such a program. It is entirely satisfactory for our users and us. By the way, some of them continue to use it to this day. The program was created for regular CNC machines and milling of mechanical parts. Notably, jewelry has many small stones, organic shapes, and small details. Thus, the program can quickly and easily perform a calculation for milling mechanical parts. However, the calculations for jewelry can take a very long time. It also takes a lot of time for the designer to prepare numerous auxiliary lines, surfaces, and set up a massive number of settings. Therefore, by the end of 2010, we began to look for options. How can we improve this CAM program?
It turned out to be extremely difficult. We steadily improved our machines. They became better, more convenient for the user, and faster. However, the CAM program was holding us back. Users demanded that they did not want to spend hours of their working time on CAM. We decided to create our own 5-Axis CAM program. Many people said that we were just crazy. They were right. Making a program is incredibly difficult and requires a lot of money. We understood this very well, but we had no other choice. We build the best machines in the world. Nevertheless, due to the lack of a CAM program, jewelers did not need these machines.
We contacted ModuleWorks GmbH www.moduleworks.com This is one of the few companies in the word that can create such CAM programs. They met us, and in spring 2011, we started creating a program with them. It took us four long years to make the first version of the program. We originally called the program NS CAM. The first real working version of the program was released in the summer of 2015. At this time, we thought that the name of NSCAM was too inexpressive and boring. Therefore, we decided to change it to JewelryCAM.
June 2015 was the date of the release of the first version of the program. All our users really liked the first version. With its help, thousands of beautiful jewelry have been created around the world. However, immediately after the release of the first version, the developers of the program began to develop the next second version. Again, four years were spent on improving the program. Finally, by the fall of 2019, the second version was released.
The second version was fundamentally different from the first. All these nine long years, from the moment of conception to the final program, the main work on the development was done by two great specialists and a master – Raimondas Januska (Raims) from NS CNC, and Donato Bevilacqua from ModuleWorks. These two unique people were able to create a unique development team. Raims – artist, jeweler, ingenious milling machine operator; Donato is a great programmer and mathematician.
The process of creating and developing computer programs is eternal and has no end. Therefore, we are already working on the third version. We will make every effort to ensure that our program remains the one and only.