Billy Jack Hobo Nickel machined on Pocket NC

Billy Jack is an American Folklore Independent Movie Hero created by Tom Laughlin and supporting actress and wife Delores Taylor.
So this has been a work in process. A close friend said once when asked: "Did you hit the target Mister Todd Musgrave? He always replied: "I'm missing it closer!" I've been on this particular project for a few months exploring possibilities on how to make this particular Hobo Nickel. Not because I had any issue machining it, that is my forte... The reason is this particular design is very intricate. And it is too busy to adequately get the proper detail to do the art justice. But I was determined to cut this piece. Why? It must be done folks. Ok nuff said!

I am confident that the next iteration will "miss it closer!"

The date really needs to be 1931 to honor Tom Laughlin the year he was born.

Yeah he's that guy! Don't mess with him... Unless you like a solid roundhouse to the face!

WoW MoM WoW! Gary Swank really delivers the goods!

So I got a really special priority mail package today from Gary Swank Jewelers in Portland Oregon. If you are looking for some exceptional rings visit www.garyswank.com he will satisfy your needs for sure!!! The Banana Ring Cluster design was done by Jesse Kaufman and it is quite stellar. If you want one of these rings please contact Jesse.

First Cabin Quality all the way!!!

Oh so close I can't wait to see these babies!!!

And here we are folks with 2 rings from 2 manufacturers and it's tough to tell them apart!
To think that this is the first real decent thing I've made on the Pocket NC!!!

Kudo's to Gary Swank Jewelers and his posh style of delivering quality goods!

A Collaborative Work In Process

I've been fortunate to work with http://www.garyswank.com/ to get Desk Proto running on the www.PocketNC.com 5 Axis mill. Gary's started his first business in 1973 and incorporated his Jewelry business in 1985. He uses www.DeskProto.com and a 4 Axis mill. We worked to get a post processor working for the Pocket NC. Then we did some initial testing and comparison cuts. We used Gary's proven settings from Desk Proto. Here are some results...
These wax rings are used in the Lost Wax Casting process

Wax Ring Cut Test - Top is Gary Swanks - Bottom is Randy Kopf's

Cast Rings prior to finishing

I'll post a photo here of the finished rings after polish.

Mitee-Grip Plate for Pocket NC

KOPF PNC MITEE-GRIP

Mitee-Grip is a special way to hold parts and machine them without the traditional clamps. This special version is designed for use with the Pocket NC.

Fusion 360 CAM  Tool Path for the KOPF PNC Mitee-Grip Plate

KOPF-PNC Mitee-Grip Unit ready to use on the Pocket NC

It allows cutting 3D Relief parts without cutting into the actual table

This is what you can cut on this unit. If you look close you can see the tool cut to the Mitee-Grip Mesh Adhesive layer without actually hitting that actual table. The part is held entirely in place by the Mitee-Grip adhesive. Allowing the part to be cut without typical clamps.

What is important to understand is this brass part is cut free yet still held in place waiting for removal. And the machine table was never actually touched with a cutter.

Busy making this Machining Foundation...

Work holding coming for Pocket NC

KOPF PNC Fixture System

I've been hard at work on my spare time designing this fixture interface for the Pocket NC. Expect to see real parts in action soon and more features!

KOPF PNC Fixture System - Partial Concept Shown

KOPF PNC Keyless Chuck - Perfect for Ring Machining

Workholding is always a challenge for machining. This design is a similar concept to the PNC Vise supplied with the Pocket NC. But this expands the entire table into a work holding system. It's easy to adjust the location to accept any size work piece. And it can clamp pretty much any shape stock square, rectangle, round or oblique. Inside and Outside force. It's simple to relocate these clamps anywhere on the table. 

Ring Blank on KOPF PNC Fixture Plate
(Note Drive Axis Labels, Oops Z label was on backwards I've since fixed that haha)

This is going to be used with Desk Proto Software.

MACHINE SHOP

I have access to a sweet Machine Shop thanks to my friends at Directed Energy. I've benn hanging out here after my day job. I'm using Fusion 360 CAM. I set up a system to make the manufacturing of these components fairly easy. 

DE Machine Shop

Going to the Santa Fe Symposium

http://www.santafesymposium.org/

Well I am pretty excited I get to attend this incredible symposium. I made a request to attend by scholarship. And I just got confirmation yesterday my application was accepted!!! I feel relieved and challenged haha. What is amazing about this conference is Rio Grande for the past 30 years has been hosting this symposium and they bring experts in from around the globe with incredible topics. Each are pushing the edge on this incredible industry. The cool thing is all the white papers of past presentations are available to download free to anyone. And they include some incredible concepts and information :-)

Part of my request included a few ideas I have that are from an outsider perspective. And they could become game changers in how a few of the key materials are processed. One is for Mokume Gane for ring making and another is using the most amazing http://www.argentiumsilver.com/ in a way that's never been used. So I'm really looking forward to what I will come back here to share an update after the event is over.

Welcome to ARTiSTASH Welcome Blog!

We are here to master of a few worthy things...

The intent of this site is to offer insight: To blend select art forms with the use of with the latest technologies all to make extraordinary things. While there will be a heavy interest in quality jewelry making it's not limited to just that.

Typically with various art forms there are subject matter experts. They stick to their area of expertise. This is a place where that tradition will be broken!

Expect to see many methods using various media types. You will find tips and help, And worthy links to educate yourself properly. This site is all about Self Education. Learning about Complimentary Software is another key aspect. Starting with an Artist Sketch will be in the mix. Establishing a Project Plan will be emphasized.  Creating a Work Flow will be another. And Basic Design Elements will be addressed. CNC Machining will be shown. Chasing and Repousse is another, Bright Cut Engraving as well. And not necessarily limited to metal. Other manufacturing methods like PMC and Advanced Kiln-Work, with metal, glass and and Cloisonne Enameling will be in the mix as well. 3D Scanning plus 3D Printing, and a heavy emphasis on Ring Making, who knows what else?

The goal here is not to be some "Jack of All Trades, Master of none". It's about finding the right overlap of art and technology, to make some remarkable things that have not been made before, that needs to be made!

For those that follow along, we say let the universe inspire us like never before!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions randy.kopf@gmail.com and or jdkdesigns@yahoo.com Thanks for visiting us!