FEATURES

So far the creation of jewelry wax models on a CNC milling machine has been more complex than on a 3D wax printer. For milling it was needed to mount the correct fixtures, create a wax-block of the correct size, mount the correct cutters, set the workpiece zero points and so on.

We proudly present the revolutionary new 123WaxRing system (patent pending) that eliminates most of these steps. Three times you need to fasten one screw, that's all.

View the Presentation video ==>> (4.5 min)

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The 123WaxRing system All your wax models will be created: using pre-shaped wax disks, using the same fixture, using the same cutter, using the same zero point.

640x360 pixels, 30 MB wmv-file

The 123WaxRing system is a combination of the 123WaxRing Wizard in the DeskProto CAM software and the 123WaxRing Fixture for your milling machine.

The 123WaxRing fixture offers two clamping planes, with two positioning pins each. Pre-shaped wax disks are available that exactly fit these pins, they can be clamped onto the fixture using one screw. The ring model is then machined from three sides: side 1 and 2 lying flat on the horizontal clamping surface, side 3 (rotation axis machining) on the vertical clamping surface. This is a very easy process with very accurate results.
The 123WaxRing wizard prepares the toolpaths for this milling process: a sequence of just eleven dialog screens that allows you to select the geometry file, orientate it, choose which wax block to use, choose supports and precision, decide if roughing is needed, calculate the toolpaths and send them to the machine.
Also view the short movie above, which shows you the complete process (to be added soon).

The system accepts jewelry designs from any 3D CAD system, for instance Rhino, Jewelcad, Matrix, 3Design. Toolpaths also can be generated for any CNC milling machine. The fixture has been made to fit the Roland Jewela machine (JWX-10), however with an adaptor also other machines can be used (rotation axis needed).

Left: fixture on the Roland JWX-10. Right: pre-shaped wax disks.

The investment casting of wax is easier than of the resins used by some 3D printers.
The surface quality of a machined wax model is much higher than of a 3D printed model.
The investment for a CNC milling machine is much lower than for a 3D printer
(you can afford an in-house system).
The material cost per model are lower than for 3D printers.
No problem when the STL file contains small gaps, orphan surfaces or other inconsistencies.
A CNC milling machine is very robust and reliable: it will work flawlessly even after having been
idle a few weeks.

Ring design in Rhino by Atelier de Bruijn: line drawing and rendering.

Wax models with undercuts can be created, as the model is machined from three sides.
No need to change the cutter: all milling can be done with a conical cutter
(competing systems also need a straight cutter to machine the reference holes).
All orientations are done with the same workpiece zero point. So this needs to be set only once !
The system is easy to use: take a wax block, fixture it with just one screw start machining.
The system also is very fast: you may have your model within half an hour !
Minimum loss of wax: no oversized wax blocks are needed for clamping purposes.

Step 1: XYZ milling with circular toolpaths.

The wizard is complete: no need to manually select macros which may induce errors.
The DeskProto toolpaths for side 1 and 2 are real circles (seen in top view).
DeskProto can send the toolpaths directly to the Jewela machine: no need to first save an NC file.
DeskProto applies an automatic feedrate reduction in high chip load situations.
After completing the wizard all DeskProto parameters are available for fine-tuning (if needed).

Step 2: XYZ milling the 2nd side.

For all orientations the model is clamped on the same fixture, resulting in a very high accuracy.
No need to change or adjust the fixture either.
The fixture is very stable: no assembly with tolerance issues, no vibrations during machining.
This will result in a superb surface quality.
The positioning of the reference pins is such that the wax block cannot be incorrectly positioned.

Step 3: Rotation axis machining.

While 9 out of 10 ring designs can be created by CNC milling, some rings are too complicated as the cutter cannot reach all details. The workaround is to have that "odd" one out done externally on a 3D wax printer.
The 123WaxRingfixture has been designed to fit the Roland JWX-10 machine (Jewela). Still it can also be used on other machines by applying an adapter.
The wax block has to be manually turned over between side 1 2: no autoflip. Such autoflip is only possible when for side 1 and 2 the ring is supported from the outside, which causes inaccuracies as then two fixturing systems are combined.
When working with only a conical cutter and thus avoiding a toolchange, the inside of the ring will not be a true cilinder. The excess material can easily be removed by manually filing the wax model.
The maximum size wax model is OK for rings, however insufficient for bracelets and for some brooches. Such models can be created in a different area of the machine, without the need to remove the fixture.
For instance for the Roland JWX-10 machine the small orange working area top of the rotation axis. A wizard will be added to do so without changing the workpiece zero point.

The resulting ring: white gold with 32 small diamonds. Courtesy of Atelier de Bruijn in Hulst (NL).

The 123WaxRing system needs DeskProto V 5.0 which will be released soon. 123WaxRing will be offered as an optional extra to the DeskProto software, as it is useful for jewelers only.
The system is delivered as a complete set: one fixture with a CD containing the software, together with two conical cutters and 10 wax disks, which allows you to start immediately.
Details on wax block sizes, cutters specs, prices, consumables, etc will be available soon.

Two of the 11 wizard pages.

The 123Waxring Fixture can also be used for charms, pendants, brooches and other non-ring jewelry. For that aim different wax blocks are needed: with the reference holes at one side of the block instead of in the middle.
Also for these wax models a wizard has been created: the 123WaxModel wizard. Note though that these models are machined from only two sides as that is sufficient.

Two-sided milling of a charm on the same fixture.