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Chaucer44
02-24-2010, 02:51 PM
Greetings all! My name is Cris. I'm new on the forum and am heavily considering getting a CW or CC (are they the same manufacturer?) but have some questions first that I can't seem to find answers for on the forums.

I'm a prop maker and industrial designer and have been doing things the old fashioned way since the start. I have a large production studio in Denver, CO. I'm called on alot to do helmets, sci fi props, costumes and armor components and usually sculpt them in clay, make a mold, and then cast or vacuuform reproductions.

I'm getting proficient in 3dstudio max 3d modeling and am considering skipping the 'old fashioned' steps and diving into designing parts in 3d, and using a CW or CC to do the hard work for me.

My next project is designing and building lifesize androids. Here is the way I have been doing things in the past: http://goldenarmor.com/mechas1.html/

My question is, are these machines going to work for my needs? My main goal is to create bucks for vacuforming, so there's no undercuts whatsoever. Basically I need to make lifesize body parts in halves (e.g. chest half, back half, front of thigh, rear of thigh, forearm front, forearm rear, etc...) The parts are going to be designed very smooth with very little paneling detail.

You can see the kind of shells I make here: www.protocoltutorial.blogspot.com

How tall can a CW carve a part? I understand that if I wanted to make, say that breastplate, I would need to slice the pattern up into bitesize sections that, but how deep is maximum depth for one of these machines?

And also, instead of using wood, could you use dense closed cell foam? How smooth would the CW or CC be able to machine out these body parts for me?

Thanks in advance!!!

Cris
DreamScheme Studios

www.go3d.us
02-24-2010, 03:41 PM
Hi Cris, Great work you got there.
and to answer your questions:
1. The CW&CC are the same machine.
2. With STL importer add on that cost extra, it is possible to do what you are looking for. And if you are proficient in 3dstudio max, you can slice your model in 3ds max and export as height map for the CW without the need of STL importer.
3. The machine can carve at a maximum depth of .75" or thickness/high. However, the machine can accept board up to 5" thick.
4. Yes, instead of wood you can use dense foam. I used foam board insulate all the time. Using wood require lots of sanding.

Hope this help.

I also have a question for you. What system did you use to chrome plate your plastic model? It looking real good.

Chaucer44
02-24-2010, 03:42 PM
In other words, can the carvewright do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVr89FO_FE&NR=1

I believe it has a 5" max cutting depth? I haven't seen any sample videos from anyone cutting more than flat planks.

BBrooks
02-24-2010, 03:45 PM
In other words, can the carvewright do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaVr89FO_FE&NR=1

I believe it has a 5" max cutting depth? I haven't seen any sample videos from anyone cutting more than flat planks.

Welcome to the forums Chris.
The max substrate thickness is 5 inches but the max carvinf depth is .75" and the max cutting depth is 1".
Using the STL importer, it allows you to slice larger 3d pieces from "flat planks" that can then be assembled into 3d finished pieces.
Cheers,

Chaucer44
02-24-2010, 03:51 PM
Ok so If I'm understanding this properly, in order to make, say a 7" tall front of a face, I need to slice my model about 8 times from 1" planks and then assemble the slices?

How much extra is the STL feature? That's only software or is it hardware also?

Can 3dstudio max 2010 version export what the CW will need?
THANKS GUYS!

to answer that question, the chrome finish is accomplished with cosmichrome.

cnsranch
02-24-2010, 04:13 PM
Cris - take a look here, this may answer your questions about the STL Importer - software, $300 add-on to the machine.

http://carvewright.com/cms/STLimporter

temler
02-25-2010, 07:20 AM
Can't help you anymore than the guys did below but I still wanted to welcome you here and to tell you that here is where all the help is.

glad you are along for the ride.

Tim

TIMCOSBY
02-26-2010, 01:53 AM
of the carvewright software forum.

TIMCOSBY
02-26-2010, 01:54 AM
http://forum.carvewright.com//showthread.php?t=11980 makes me want it every time i look at it.