V-Carve application? Engine turning

[chuckknigh]

I think this is an ideal application for the V-Carve software, but I'm not sure. Thought I'd ask.

I love beautiful watches and clocks -- and this dial is particularly beautiful. It is this type of engine turning that truly appeals to me, but I haven't the slightest idea how to program it. Could anyone help?

(I'll have to finish a working machine, though, to put it to use!)

-- Chuck Knight

P.S. No, this is not my watch. It's a pic off of a watch collector's forum.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...lkgulanbcc.jpg

[ger21]

Originally Posted by chuckknigh I love beautiful watches and clocks -- and this dial is particularly beautiful. It is this type of engine turning that truly appeals to me, but I haven't the slightest idea how to program it. Could anyone help?

I'd guess that it's cast. If you wanted to machine it, make a 3D model in your favorite CAD app and use CAM software for the toolpaths.

[chuckknigh]

Actually, it's not cast at all. Roger Dubuis watches are extremely expensive...and are actually cut using a rose engine. Amazing detail...available for an extremely high price. Not a bad value, as far as high end stuff goes...but still.

I like the idea of using the CAD...but it's flat, and I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to model something like this...manually. It's just the depth of the V-cut that varies, to change the width of the line. It's an amazing effect, and like I said, it's a perfect application for V-Carve...if I understand the software.

I'd love to make a clock with a dial like this...not to mention a custom watch or two.

Imagine it in ebony...or maybe blued steel.

I think I'll restart work on my micro-X-Y table, tomorrow. :-) I've got a mini air die grinder that I'm dying to try.

-- Chuck Knight

[ViperTX]

It's really hard to tell if that is actually machined or just painted.

I suspect that the way to draw it is to take a circle with radial lines (200 or 300).....then using some shape...modify the shape of each radial line to conform to that shape or curve...

[chuckknigh]

It's machined. Here's a pic of the whole watch...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/fa63a843.jpg

-- Chuck Knight

[the4thseal]

I believe that is called Guilloché. The lathes that made that pattern were a wonder to behold. There are a few companies that still use the authentic equipment and require tremendous skill. Just thinking about how to make them work makes my nose bleed. I think that they are similar to the rose lathe mentioned but the examples that I have seen are much more complicated. Thank god for CNC!

[the4thseal]

Sorry I did a little digging and it turns out that a Rose lathe is also an acceptible term for the lathe that us used to make the Guilloché pattern. Sorry

[the4thseal]

Just for for the heck of it hear is a link to what the machines looked like.http://goldmachinery.com/machinery/5404.htm

[ger21]

That close up pic does NOT look flat to me. Looks similar to this

http://www.interlam-design.com/index...D=1&clientID=1

[Tony Mac]

Hi Chuck,

VCarve Pro can certainly be used to engrave these interesting artistic patterns so long as the CNC machine is precise enough with a high speed spindle and precision ground cutters.

Below are a few patterns that a customer created using VCarve Pro that look 3D but are simply engraved into a flat surface. The key here is to have the artistic ability to draw the design with varying widths between the lines that will result in the 3D engraving toolpath producing the optical illusion on the surface.

PhotoVCarve works in the same way but the software takes care of the process automatically - would be interesting to see peoples faces engraved onto watch faces using this technique!

Let us know if you have any questions or we can help in any way,

Tony

http://vectric.com/forum/download.php?id=38
http://vectric.com/forum/download.php?id=37
http://vectric.com/forum/download.php?id=39

[chuckknigh]

Trust me...it's flat. Watch dials are comprised of flat planes...sometimes 2 or 3 of them stacked, but they're always flat.

Look where the arabic numerals are attached...flat.

The decoration technique is called Guilloche, and is magnificent in person. Cheap watches have these patterns stamped...expensive ones are individually cut, and appear much crisper than stamped dials, especially in person. (I carry a pocket loupe)

I want to try doing this type of thing, myself, for the fun of it. Should be quite spectacular, if I can get it to work.

-- Chuck Knight

P.S. Didn't I see a post on this site, by the author of V-Carve? I'd love to get his input.

[Switcher]

Isn't VCarve, Tonys software (Post#10)?


.