Messages

1

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 11, 2013, 10:40:19 AM »

Someone mentioned custom mills for the groove. I am in the process of buying ready made from Italy.

2

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 10, 2013, 09:22:57 AM »

Thank you garyhlucas and jonny quest The MadCAM video is almost exactly what I will be doing. I have looked at Rhino3D before, but may need to take another closer look. The amount of software that is out there is totally amazing and mind boggling.

Again, Thank You everyone

3

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 09, 2013, 10:07:49 AM »

For the others watching this, here is the link to my Facebook 'About' page that will tell you more about the project.

https://www.facebook.com/AngelOptical/info

4

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 09, 2013, 06:57:14 AM »

BTW I have been in or around the optical business for 44 years, so I do know the market and the people.

5

General Mach Discussion / Re: HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 09, 2013, 06:46:28 AM »

Actually, this is the way most of them are made, although some are still made on tracer mills.  My designs and thoughts are for high-end frames, not the ones you see in LensCrafters, etc. Yes, I've worked out the costs and it is still very feasible. I've made them profitably  by hand, but my customers want more than I can produce that way. I would send them to a specialized shop (there are some here and Europe), but designs at that stage are easily stolen.

6

General Mach Discussion / HELP !!!! What Do I Need??

« on: April 07, 2013, 08:35:36 PM »

First about the product, it's plastic eyeglass frames. These are usually made from flat sheets of acetate about 6 mm thick, machined to shape and then formed using heat.

I will be using Windows 7 Pro w/XP mode and a Tormach milling machine w/Mach3 http://www.tormach.com Do I need a separate CAM program or can I use LazyCAM that comes with Mach3??

What about an 'external motion controller'??  Which one should I get?? The computer is a laptop. I would rather use USB if possible although my mind may be changeable.

I am not uneducated. I have a Doctor of Nursing and an MBA, but I am NOT a computer programmer. I need something that is easy, easy, easy and CHEAP.