ArtCAM Express Case-study Competition

Last month we asked our Express customers to tell us how they are currently using their ArtCAM Express software and if they have them, its modules for their chance to win an upgrade to the latest version of ArtCAM Express, ArtCAM Express 2011 or any ArtCAM Express module worth up to £150/ €180/ $200.

We would like to thank everyone who entered the ArtCAM Express case-study competition. We have had an enormous response and seen some fantastic work. However there could only be 2 winners. So without any further ado...

The Winners Are... Youssef Benzaoui & Lloyd Morgan

Youssef Benzaoui & Lloyd Morgan

We would like to congratulate Youssef Benzaoui for his wonderful magazine rack created in Bamboo and Lloyd Morgan for his bespoke arcade cabinets. Both Youssef and Lloyd can now choose from an upgrade to ArtCAM Express 2011 or a free module worth up to £150…

Name: Youssef Benzaoui
Company: N/A
Location: Redmond, Washington, USA
ArtCAM Application: This bamboo magazine holder was inspired by old circular word patterns used in floor stone mosaics. Before Youssef had bought ArtCAM Express he had created the design geometry in AutoCAD. However, after purchasing ArtCAM Express the idea came to adapt the existing geometry to the magazine holder on all faces, and carving it with a 90 deg V-bit using the V-carve feature.

Youssef used ArtCAM for things that he couldn't do in Autocad: rendering, simulation & machining. He used ArtCAM’s rendering to visualise the wood and the simulate toolpaths function to see the 3D effects as they would appear machined. This not only helped him to make sure he was happy with the overall appearance but to verify that the geometry was “a tight knit (no loops or broken toolpaths).”
Comments:“I think the software does an amazing job for the price.”
Favourite Feature: V-carving!

Name: Lloyd Morgan
Company: Ultimate Arcade Cabinets
Location: South Wales, UK
ArtCAM Application: Ultimate Arcade Cabinets (http://www.ultimatearcadecabinets.co.uk) is a small family business created 10 years ago by, Lloyd Morgan. His love of arcade machines began in 1984 when his father bought a Space Invader’s machine for the home. His enthusiasm continued to grow and in 2001 he decided to build his own version of the classic 1980’s cocktail cabinet and the business developed from there. The cabinets can play 1000’s of games such as the classic Space Invaders, Pacman, Donkey Kong & Frogger. Used for both public and personal use, the cabinets have been bought by; sports personality Joe Calzaghe, TV presenters Ant and Dec, as well as Deborah Meaden from the BBC show Dragon’s Den.
Comments: “I use ArtCAM Express to design and cut the cabinets out of MDF, meaning I can respond quickly to orders rather than being confined to 3rd party suppliers’ lead times. It also enables me to work on one-off projects such as the Tron upright we built, and is essential to continuing to produce new designs and products.”

The Runners-Up are...

Because of the fantastic designs and array of applications that ArtCAM Express is being used in below are some of the competition runners-up.
As a conciliation prize all runners-up have received 6 pieces of free 3D relief clipart to use with their ArtCAM Express software.

Mike Boyd Raska, Raska Automated Machining Technologies (RaM Technologies), Iowa, USA

	About: RaM Technologies (www.ramtechcnc.net) provides design & CNC machining services to create bespoke signs, plaques, awards & special gifts. ArtCAM Application: Michael uses ArtCAM Express for all his projects including this standing bear. Comments: "The ability to upgrade as the need arises without spending a lot of money at the start is a fantastic idea. I can build my software as my company grows. I have already upgraded to the Vector and Bitmap layers modules, what a great add on. All I can say is WOW! You can't go wrong with ArtCAM Express.” Favourite Feature: Machine Relief – Machining within a vector
		Click on the pictures to see larger images.

Adam Keller, Utah, USA

	ArtCAM Application: Adam is starting his own small woodworking business with a CNC router and ArtCAM Express. Comments: “I love the ArtCAM Express software it has been very easy to use and extremely powerful. I would love I would really like to upgrade to insignia but I do not have the money yet.”
		Click on the pictures to see larger images.

Mr. M. B. Canteenwala, Sanaeya, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), India

	Application: Sanaeya uses ArtCAM Express to manufacture professional sound systems such: vented, hybrid or scoops enclosures, Stage monitors, array systems & T-bins to large organisations, such as multiplex cinemas. Comments: “The software that was previously supplied with my CNC router was not user friendly so I surfed the net looking for an alternative. I then found Artcam Express. I found it really interesting so I purchased it straight away online. I can directly import the cad file, which is very important to me. It's easy to design the speaker cabinet directly in ArtCAM.”
		Click on the pictures to see larger images.

John Tucker, Traditional Timber Tradesmen Ltd, Glastonbury, UK

	About: Traditional Timber Tradesmen Ltd (www.timbertradesmen.co.uk) offer bespoke timber based products using traditional techniques and materials. ArtCAM Application: Manufacture of many components for E-den camping Cabins from wall panels & funky wall plates as well as the stable door with oval window and templates and jigs used in the construction process. Comments:"The purchase of the router with ArtCAM Express has been the best business decision we've made in years and we are already reaping the rewards." Favourite Feature: "As this is our first use of CADCAM software, all features of Express are very useful and lacks very little. The only thing probably holding us back is just a lack of experience but with every job we do our knowledge grows."
		Click on the pictures to see larger images.